Stakeholders Receive EPA Acceptance of Medina River Watershed Protection Plan

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently accepted the Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) for the Medina River below Medina Diversion Lake as meeting the EPA’s guidelines for watershed-based plans. The Medina River WPP outlines a strategy to implement management measures that will help improve and protect water quality in the watershed.

“Acceptance of the plan is a result of collaboration between watershed stakeholders, the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) and the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI),” said Tina Hendon, TWRI program specialist. “Local residents, agricultural producers, business and industry representatives, city and county personnel and other interested parties provided valuable input for development of the plan.”

In 2010, TCEQ identified bacteria concentrations in the lower portions of Medio Creek and the Medina River that could pose a risk for swimming and wading. Since then, high levels of nutrients have also been identified as a concern for the creek and river ecosystem health. In 2023, stakeholders came together to develop a locally driven effort to address these issues and since then have participated in many meetings to help shape the final plan.

Healthy watersheds help reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff and act as a filter to capture sediment and pollutants before they enter creeks, rivers, lakes and estuaries. Maintaining a healthy Medina River watershed is vital for the protection of aquatic environments and water sources, including the sensitive Edwars Aquifer, San Antonio River, as well as downstream waters such as San Antonio Bay, Hendon said.

“With EPA acceptance, management measures described in the plan are now eligible for nonpoint source grant funding,” said Mary Michael Zahed, TWRI Program Specialist and Watershed Coordinator for the Medina River and Cibolo Creek watershed protection plans.

“The effort has already spurred development of a riparian demonstration project along the Medina River in Castroville,” she said. The riparian project, funded by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, will educate the public and demonstrate nature-based methods for protecting water quality and restoring streamside ecosystems.

The watershed planning group is hosting hands-on local workshops focused on nature-based solutions for both rural and urban settings in the coming months.

Upcoming events include soil health field days, and more. To learn more, see medina.twri.tamu.edu or facebook.com/MedinaRiverWPP.

“TWRI and SARA will continue to work with watershed stakeholders to identify new opportunities, apply for additional funding, and begin full implementation of the watershed protection plan,” said Zahed.

More information on the Medina River Watershed Protection Plan is available at medina.twri.tamu.edu or by contacting Mary Michael Zahed at (979) 314-8092 or mary.lipfordzahed@ag.tamu.edu.

Funding for the development of the Medina River WPP was provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board through a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grant from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency.