In fact, this area would not have grown to what it is today without the aquifer. The edwards aquifer maps come from official printed maps, containing regulatory boundaries based on previous geologic interpretations of the edwards aquifer zonesthat is, the recharge, transition, and contributing within the transition zones, as defined in 30 tac 2. These data delineate the areal extent of the edwardstrinity aquifer system as defined in the ground water atlas of the united states u. Maps barton springs edwards aquifer conservation district. Pedersen, executive administrator texas water development board william b. Permeability of the edwards aquifer is greatest in particular strata lithofacies which have been leached in the freshwater zone. These data delineate the areal extent of the edwards trinity aquifer system as defined in the ground water atlas of the united states u. Karstification of the rocks on the san marcos platform during cretaceous time enhanced the permeability of the aquifer. According to tceq, the recharge zone is defined as the. Fish and wildlife services austin office and robert gulley, texas comptrollers office and adjunct professor at texas state university.
Efforts by a national cooperative geologic mapping program project to compile the geology of the edwards aquifer recharge area in southcentral texas have helped to refine the hydrostratigraphy of one of the most permeable and productive carbonate aquifers in the united states. While the edwards stretches from temple to del rio, the barton springs segment is of most interest to austinites since the water reemerges near the heart of downtown at barton springs. The barton springsedwards aquifer conservation district was created in 1987 with a directive to conserve, protect, and enhance the groundwater resources in. Aquifers of texas november 1995 introduction water is one of the states most precious natural resources and basic economic commodities. The fossiliferous edwards limestone is one of the most dynamic aquifers in the country. This map is an illustrated map showing the edwards aquifer recharge zones in relation to major highways and cities. Hydrogeology and groundwater flow in the edwardstrinity aquifer system, westcentral texas regional aquifersystem analysisedwardstrinity by eve l. It interrelates with and affects almost every aspect of human and natural existence. Edwards aquifer protection program, november 2008 uvalde. The purpose of this map is to show an overlay of protection zones meant to ensure the quality of water in the edwards aquifer. Geologic map of the new braunfels, texas, 30 x 60 minute. Epa defines a sole or principal source aquifer as one which supplies at least 50% of the drinking water consumed in the area overlying the aquifer.
Cities like san antonio have long depended on the edwards aquifer for water, making it an integral part of the environment and geology of the region. Geologic map of the edwards aquifer recharge zone, south. Do you have questions about watersheds or the edwards aquifer in the city of austin. The greater edwards aquifer alliance has originated a comprehensive program of science, advocacy, and public engagement aimed at protecting the quality and quantity of spring flows from the edwards and trinity aquifers. The edwards and trinity aquifers are major sources of water for agriculture, industry, and urban and rural communities in southcentral. Carbonate geology and hydrology of the edwards aquifer in the. Edwards aquifer, central texas geosciences libguides at. The aquifer basics web site provides a general overview and maps of the principal aquifers of the united states by rock type and via alphabetical list. In addition, the edwards aquifer feeds the comal and san marcos springs, provides. The edwards aquifer literally is the life blood of the hill country.
Hydrogeology and groundwater flow in the edwardstrinity aquifer system, westcentral texas by eve l kuniansky and ann f. The barton springsedwards aquifer conservation district is committed to conserving, protecting, recharging, and preventing waste of groundwater and preserving all aquifers in the district. It consists primarily of partially dissolved limestone that creates a highly permeable aquifer. Hydrogeology of the northern segment of the edwards. Geological survey, in cooperation with the edwards aquifer authority, documented the geologic framework and hydrostratigraphy of the edwards and trinity aquifers within northern bexar and comal counties, texas. Structure map of the san antonio segment of the edwards aquifer downloadable pdf part number mm0038d structure map of the san antonio segment of the edwards aquifer and balcones fault zone, southcentral texas. Edwards aquifer maps and gis located in the heart of south central texas, the edwards aquifer is the natural water resource that supports approximately 2 million of us. Edwards aquifer authority home edwards aquifer authority. The edwards aquifer covers about 4530 square miles in parts of 11 counties in texas.
Usgs map of the principal aquifers of the united states. The san antonio segment of the aquifer extends in a 160 mile archshaped curve from brackettville in the west to near kyle in the northeast, and is between five and. Aquifers oftexas november1935 texas water development board craig d. On the surface the edwards aquifer is comprised of three areas. Click here to download a pdf of the above map and table. Edwards aquifer map mapping and geographic information. The edwards aquifer contributing zones polygon file was created from modeled boundaries 2003 lidar and customized boundaries based on contours, drainage. Location of the edwards aquifer in the study area 6 3. The edwards balcones fault zone aquifer is a major aquifer in the southcentral part of the state.
The edwards aquifer is an underground layer of porous limestone that stores water. Geologic map of the edwards aquifer recharge zone, southcentral texas alternate title scientific investigations map 2873 series title usgs scientific investigations aggregation karst information portal ticklers issue. Carbonate geology and hydrology of the edwards aquifer in. Aquifer alliance protection and preserve the edwards aquifer. Geren,member authorization for use or reproduction of any original. May 07, 2018 at one time, the edwards aquifer was the only source of water that san antonio received its drinking water. Hydrogeology and groundwater flow in the edwardstrinity. Maps of county specific properties can be accessed below. Numerous examples of this species have been collected only from the edwards aquifer at comal springs in landa park, new braunfels, texas, and a single specimen was taken at hueco springs, texas in 1992. Aquifer thickness ranges from 200 to 600 feet, and freshwater saturated thickness averages 560 feet in the southern part of the aquifer. Where hill country creeks and rivers cross the outcrops of the edwards limestone, water is captured by caves and fractures, flows to depths as great as 3,000 feet through edwards limestone layers, and discharges at some of the famous springs of. Hydrogeologic factors that affect the flowpath of water in selected zones of the edwards aquifer, san antonio region, texas. Edwards aquifer, central texas geosciences libguides.
An aquifer is a geologic formation, a group of formations, or a part of a formation that contains sufficient saturated permeable material to yield. Area map pdf overview with the entire threecounty area. The barton springs edwards aquifer conservation district is committed to conserving, protecting, recharging, and preventing waste of groundwater and preserving all aquifers in the district. Jenness, elaine mmember lynwood sanders, member 6 fernandez, vice chairman barron, m.
Edwards aquifer is regulated by the eaa and affects the springs and spring ecosystems inhabited by the covered species. Efforts by a national cooperative geologic mapping program project to compile the geology of the edwards aquifer recharge area in southcentral texas have helped to refine the hydrostratigraphy of one of the most permeable and productive carbonate aquifers in. Edwards aquifer authority maps edwards aquifer authority. The aquifer basics web site provides a general summary of information published in the ground water. The barton springs edwards aquifer conservation district was created in 1987 with a directive to conserve, protect, and enhance the groundwater resources in. Map of the principal aquifers of the united states the areal and vertical location of the major aquifers is fundamental to the determination of groundwater availability for the nation. The act grants all of the powers, rights, and privileges necessary to manage, conserve, preserve, and protect the aquifer. The edwards aquifer is one of the most prolific artesian aquifers in the world. Edwards is the focus of this study due to its unique physical nature as a karst aquifer resulting in highly sensitive environmental areas that provide habitat to fourteen. Regional aquifersystem analysisedwardstrinity aquifer system u. Geologic framework and hydrostratigraphy of the edwards and. Dec 08, 20 click here to download a pdf of the above map and table. Gregg eckhardt is an environmental scientist who has been studying the edwards aquifer and issues surrounding it since 1972. Geographic distribution of fluoride concentrations and water types in the edwards aquifer.
The three primary zones in the aquifer are the contributing zone, recharge zone, and the transitionartesian zone as shown in the edwards aquifer contributing zones map. There is a legend showing the different zones, type of highways, and boundaries. Edwards aquifer map mapping and geographic information systems. Edwards aquifer map viewer view the edwards aquifer maps of regulated zones with your web browser. The edwards aquifer authority manages the san antonio segment of the balcones fault continue reading maps. It includes the edwards and some associated limestones. Located on the eastern edge of the edwards plateau in the u. Scientific investigations map 3366 prepared in cooperation with the edwards aquifer authority geologic framework and hydrostratigraphy of the edwards and trinity aquifers within northern bexar and comal counties, texas. Geographic distribution of water types and total dissolved solids in the edwards aquifer. Edwards aquifer authority science document library. Sole source aquifer recharge area usda rural development. Kinney, uvalde, bexar, comal, and hays counties, by e. Found in title 30 texas administrative code chapter 2, these rules address activities that could pose a threat to water quality in the edwards aquifer, including wells and springs fed by the aquifer and water sources to the aquifer, including.
The following map illustrates the properties currently included in the edwards aquifer protection initiative. The purpose of this report is to provide a general overview of this resource in texas and the aquifers in which it resides. User guide this downloadable pdf document explains how to use the tools available in the viewer metadata the edwards aquifer maps come from official printed maps, containing regulatory boundaries based on previous geologic interpretations of the edwards aquifer zonesthat is, the recharge, transition, and contributing within the transition. Name meeting date meeting time meeting location meeting details agenda minutes video ecomment. It is part of a much larger system that spans approximately 8,800 square miles. Edwards is the focus of this study due to its unique physical nature as a karst aquifer resulting in highly sensitive environmental areas that provide habitat to fourteen different threatened and endangered species. The edwards aquifer authority is a groundwater district, mandated by the 1993 edwards aquifer authority act. Edwards aquifer protection program and linear creekway parks development program. We are in need of support to fund key projects that are currently underway.
The protection area includes bexar, medina and uvalde counties. Depositional province of the rocks forming the edwards aquifer 9 4. Geologic framework and hydrostratigraphy of the edwards. Geology and hydrology of the edwards aquifer in the san antonio area, texas. Texas maps perrycastaneda map collection ut library online. In 1994 he perceived a need for internet based resources on the edwards that would be unbiased, educational, and nontechnical, so he created the edwards aquifer website in 1995. The edwards aquifer is an underground layer of porous, honeycombed, waterbearing rock that is between 300700 feet thick. User guide this downloadable pdf document explains how to use the tools available in the viewer metadata the edwards aquifer maps come from official printed maps, containing regulatory boundaries based on previous geologic interpretations of the edwards aquifer zonesthat is, the recharge, transition, and contributing within the transition zones, as defined. An objective of this report is to provide basic geologic information on the 1. Piper diagram of ground water from the edwards aquifer. As crucial a source of drinking water that it is, the edwards aquifer has an economic importance.
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