The Cypress Creek Watershed Best Management Practices Tour

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is the collection of rainwater from a roof surface into a storage vessel for outdoor watering or indoor uses. RWH systems protect the watershed by reducing demand on groundwater, reducing stormwater runoff, and reducing pollutants.

The 30,000-gallon cistern at the  Wimberley Valley Watershed Association (WVWA ) has the capacity of collecting 55,000 gallons of rainwater annually. Water collected in the system can run the WVWA headquarters on a potable system. To learn more about RWH systems, click  here .

Vegetated filter strips are strategically placed to act as a line of defense against pollutants in stormwater runoff before reaching a water body. As runoff moves downslope, the water is stopped by a raised filter strip consisting of organic matter, compost, sand, and topsoil. The absorbed runoff waters native grass and wildflower seeds within the filter strip, beautifying the area while protecting waterways.

The vegetated filter strips at WVWA have the potential of diverting 280,000 gallons of water and 45 pounds of pollutants per year via infiltration. To learn more about vegetated filter strips, click  here .

Rainwater harvesting (RHW) is the collection of rainwater from a roof surface into a storage vessel for outdoor watering or indoor uses. RHW systems protect the watershed by reducing demand on groundwater, reducing stormwater runoff, and reducing pollutants.

The 5,000-gallon cistern installed at the  Woodcreek Golf Course  has the capacity of collecting 45,000 gallons of rainwater annually. Water collected in the system is used to clean the golf carts at the course. To learn more about RHW systems, click  here .

Not only are  rain gardens  aesthetically pleasing, but they also filter pollutants that might reach the watershed via surface runoff. Rain gardens reduce surface runoff by intercepting and absorbing the water, as well as any bacteria or pollutants present. Rain gardens protect the watershed by reducing flooding impacts and pollutants.

This rain garden at the Woodcreek Golf Course has the potential of diverting approximately 160,000 gallons of water per year and 108 pounds of pollutants via infiltration. Currently, the bottom of the rain garden has been seeded and trees are planted around the perimeter. To learn more about rain gardens, click  here .

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is the collection of rainwater from a roof surface into a storage vessel for outdoor watering or indoor uses. RWH systems protect the watershed by reducing demand on groundwater, reducing stormwater runoff, and reducing pollutants.

The three cisterns at the  Patsy Glenn Refuge  have the capacity to store 1500 gallons of water, and can harvest 6,000 gallons of water annually. Water collected in this system is used to irrigate the butterfly garden in the refuge. To learn more about RWH systems, click  here. 

 Constructed wetlands  are wetlands created specifically for the purpose of treating wastewater, stormwater, acid mine drainage, or agricultural runoff. This can be done only on a site where conditions exist that can produce and sustain a wetland. Constructed wetlands protect the watershed reducing stormwater runoff, reducing pollutants, and providing wildlife habitat.

The wetlands at the  Patsy Glenn Refuge  were designed by Jerry Lunow and engineered from the park’s natural flood basin in response to increased stormwater runoff threatening an 1800's dry stacked rock wall built by the founding families. The increased runoff also hampers educational operations on-site and damages existing trails. To learn more about wetland services, click  here .

The location of this parking lot is important due to it's proximity to Cypress Creek. Permeable pavement (pavers) is a pervious alternative to sidewalks, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces. Pervious surfaces allow water to run through it rather than moving across it or collecting on top of it. Pavers are installed with small gaps between them, allowing water to move through the voids and into the layers beneath at a controlled rate. Pavers protect the watershed by maintaining groundwater levels, reducing stormwater runoff, and pollutants.

The permeable pavers installed in downtown Wimberley have the potential of diverting approximately 70,000 gallons of water and 117 pounds of pollutants per year via infiltration through the pavers. To learn more about permeable pavers, click  here .

Rainwater harvesting (RHW) is the collection of rainwater from a roof surface into a storage vessel for outdoor watering or indoor uses. RHW systems protect the watershed by reducing demand on groundwater, reducing stormwater runoff, and reducing pollutants.

The 3,453-gallon cistern installed at  Blue Hole Regional Park  has the capacity of collecting 35,000 gallons of rainwater annually. Water collected in the system is used for the toilets at the parks pavilion. To learn more about RHW systems, click  here  .

Permeable pavement (pavers) is a pervious alternative to sidewalks, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces. Pervious surfaces allow water to run through it rather than moving across it or collecting on top of it. Pavers are installed with small gaps between them, allowing water to move through the voids and into the layers beneath at a controlled rate. Pavers protect the watershed by maintaining groundwater levels, reducing stormwater runoff, and pollutants.

The permeable sidewalk and trail at  Blue Hole  has the potential of diverting 35,000 gallons of water and 43 pounds of pollutants per year through infiltration. To learn more about permeable pavers, click  here. 

Permeable pavement (pavers) is a pervious alternative to sidewalks, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces. Pervious surfaces allow water to run through it rather than moving across it or collecting on top of it. Pavers are installed with small gaps between them, allowing water to move through the voids and into the layers beneath at a controlled rate. Pavers protect the watershed by maintaining groundwater levels, reducing stormwater runoff, and pollutants.

The permeable ADA parking spots here at  Blue Hole  have the potential of diverting approximately 17,000 gallons of water and 20 pounds of pollutants per year through infiltration. To learn more about permeable pavers, click  here .

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is the collection of rainwater from a roof surface into a storage vessel for outdoor watering or indoor uses. RWH systems protect the watershed by reducing demand on groundwater, reducing stormwater runoff, and reducing nonpoint source pollutants.

The 1,000-gallon cistern installed at Hays County Precinct 3 has the capacity of collecting 18,000 gallons of rainwater annually. Water captured by RWHs can be used in several different ways, such as irrigation for  native landscaping  or treating it to potable standards for reuse indoors. To learn more about RWH systems, click  here .

One Water is defined by the  Water Research Foundation (WRF)  as an integrated planning and implementation approach to managing finite water resources for long-term resilience and reliability, meeting both community and ecosystem needs. It is the emerging term in the United States for what is commonly known as integrated urban water management.

The  Wimberley Independent School District  (WISD) has built the first One Water school in Texas. The Blue Hole Primary School's One Water design reduces its water consumption footprint by approximately 90 percent, conserves 237 acre-feet of groundwater over 30 years, has an expected annual cost savings between $29,000 and $48,000 per year, and has an expected total cost savings over 30 years to exceed $1,000,000 in 2018 dollars.

How can you help?

Small changes can make a huge difference.

• Check to see if your city or county has an incentive program for installing your own rainwater harvesting system!
• Proper disposal of household hazardous waste (batteries, paint, light bulbs, etc.) items can prevent corrosive materials from entering waterways. Click  here  for information on where you can drop off your hazardous waste every week.
• Making simple changes to your landscaping such as selecting native plants and proper soil care can reduce the amount of water needed for irrigation and the need for synthetic pesticides and fertilizers that could potentially reach our waterways. Click  here  for in-depth tips and information.
• Picking up after your pet is a great way to help maintain healthy waterways! Pet waste contains bacteria harmful to humans and other animals; ensuring it doesn’t reach waterways protects both water quality and us.