barton springs university 2015. learning at the springs: barton springs university
TRANSCRIPT
Barton Springs University 2015
Learning at the Springs:
Barton Springs University
Goals of Panel
• Describe Barton Springs University concept• Outline schedule and details of the event• Hear from event presenters about their
Barton Springs University presentations• Get your feedback on how we can help get
your class to the event
Barton Springs University Concept
• Annual event for high school and college students as well as the general public
• Encourage students to consider careers in environmental sustainability and water conservation
• Engage directly with academics and professionals at Barton Springs Pool
Schedule Overview and Ongoing Activities
Splash Exhibit
Learning Sessions
Flow Measurement Demonstration
Posters and Tables
Snorkeling Tours
Live Music
8:30 am
9:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 pm
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
3:00 pm
4:00 pm
Schedule of Sessions Venue 1: Aquifer
Structure and Function
Venue 2: Edwards Aquifer Biodiversity and Conservation
Venue 3: Barton Springs Water Quality Conditions and Challenges
Venue 4: Water Policy and a Changing Climate
Venue 5: Barton Springs: A Place for Everyone
10:00 am Brian Hunt: Fundamentals of Groundwater and Hydrogeology of the Barton Springs Segment of the Edwards Aquifer
Laurie Dries: Habitat Restoration at Barton Springs
Jennifer Miller: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Marisa Perales, Jennifer Walker, and Luke Metzger: Austin’s Water Future
Kim McKnight: The Jewel of the Violet Crown: A Historical Sketch of Zilker Park
11:00 am Barbara Mahler: Karst: Welcome to the Twilight Zone of Hydrology
Nathan Bendik: Salamanders of the Springs
Chris Herrington: Barton Springs Water Quality: Current Conditions, Changes over Time, and Future Threats
Christy Muse: Central Texas Water: Challenges, Threats and Solutions
Karen Kocher: Barton Springs: A Place for Everyone
12:00 pm Keynote: Mayor Steve Adler and Reggie James
Keynote: Mayor Steve Adler and Reggie James
Keynote: Mayor Steve Adler and Reggie James
Keynote: Mayor Steve Adler and Reggie James
Keynote: Mayor Steve Adler and Reggie James
1:00 pm Nico Hauwert: Austin’s Underground Frontier
Caitlin Gabor: Stress Response to Urbanization and Invasive Predators in Central Texas Salamanders
Lauren Ross: What the Flush? Wastewater and the Future of Texas Hill Country Creeks and Springs
Raymond Slade: Hydrologic Extremes in Central Texas: Lack of Water Supplies during Drought and Catastrophic Flooding
Gary Perez: The Four Fountain Springs and the River in the Sky
2:00 pm Jean Krejca: Cave Life in Texas
Tim Bonner: Evolutionary Refugia: Edwards Plateau Spring Systems
Brigid Shea and Leslie Pool: How to Keep Barton Springs Clean and Flowing
Jay Banner: Central Texas Water and a Changing Climate
Alison Moore and Mary Helen Specht: Writing at Dobie’s Paisano Ranch on Barton Creek
Aquifer Structure and Function
» Nico Hauwert, Ph.D., P.G., Austin Watershed Protection Department
» Brian Hunt, P.G., Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District
» Barbara Mahler, Ph.D., US Geological Survey Texas Water Science Center
Edwards Aquifer Biodiversity and Conservation
» Nathan Bendik, M.S., Austin Watershed Protection Department
» Tim Bonner, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Biology, Texas State University
» Laurie Dries, Ph.D., Conservation Biologist
» Caitlin Gabor, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Biology, Texas State University
» Jean Krejca, Ph.D., Founder, Zara Environmental
Barton Springs Water Quality Conditions and Challenges
» Chris Herrington, P.E., Austin Watershed Protection Department
» Leslie Pool, Austin City Council, District 7
» Lauren Ross, Ph.D., P.E., Glenrose Engineering
» Brigid Shea, Travis County Commissioner, Precinct 2
Water Policy and a Changing Climate
» Jay Banner, Ph.D., Director, UT Environmental Science Institute
» Luke Metzger, Director, Environment Texas
» Christy Muse, Executive Director, Hill Country Alliance
» Marisa Perales, J.D., Partner, Frederick, Perales, Allmon & Rockwell
» Raymond Slade, P.H., US Geological Survey (retired) and Austin Community College
» Jennifer Walker, Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter
Barton Springs: A Place for Everyone
» Karen Kocher, M.F.A., Senior Lecturer, UT Austin
» Kim McKnight, M.S., Austin Parks Department
» Alison Moore, M.F.A., Author and UT Dobie Paisano Fellow
» Gary Perez, Native American Church National Trust
» Mary Helen Specht, Author and UT Dobie Paisano Fellow
» Joe Tellez, P.G., Consultant
Keynote
» Steve Adler, Mayor of Austin
» Reggie James, Director, Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter
Flow Measurement Demonstration
» Robin Gary, M.A., Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District
Chris Herrington, P.E.
“Barton Springs Water Quality: Current Conditions, Changes over Time, and Future Threats”
The Edwards Aquifer
Courtesy of Brian Smith, BSEACD
Recharge and Flow in the Edwards Aquifer
Courtesy of Brian Smith, BSEACD
Recharge to the Edwards Aquifer
Onion Creek
More than half of the recharge occurs within the creeks and rivers
What factor continues to change over time
in the Barton Springs Zone?
Population in the Barton Springs Zone
From CAMPO, US Census Bureau, AMVA
In 2010: 143,000 people 48,000 dogs 54,000 cats
From USGS stormwater sampling
Detection of Synthetic Compounds in Barton Springs
2” rainfall
Residential = 6%Undev/Ag = 87%Open Space = 3%
1995
Residential = 29%Undev/Ag = 51%Open Space = 14%
2006
Human activities affect water quantity/quality:
– Fertilizer, wastewater add nutrients
– Impervious cover increases stormwater runoff, reduces groundwater infiltration
– Reduced riparian areas, soil disturbance increases erosion and reduces filtration
– Increased risk of toxic, fecal contamination
Increasing Nutrients
Increasing Nutrients
From Austin, Travis County, Hays County, Bee Cave, Dripping Springs records
Density of OSSF by Watershed in the Barton Springs Zone
From TCEQ Central Files
Texas Land Application Permits
From USGS cooperative monitoring
Barton Springs Zone Nitrate in Surface Water
From USGS cooperative monitoring
Nitrate Isotopes in Barton Springs Zone Surface Water
Barton Creek
Williamson Creek
Onion Creek
Bear Creek
Slaughter Creek
Is Barton Springs Water Quality Changing over Time?
Come to Barton Springs University in September to find out!
Laurie Dries, Ph.D.
• Endangered Species Management – Habitat Restoration requires synthesis of multiple fields of knowledge.
• Ecology, Evolution, Limnology, Hydrogeology, Geomorphology, Physiology, Chemistry, Statistics, Fluid Dynamics, Structural Engineering, History, and more….
• Collaboration and Cooperation – something for everyone
Habitat Reconstruction
Abundant Salamanders
Pre and Post-Event Teaching Resources
• Suggestions for writing and discussion activities• Background information on Barton Springs and
the Edwards Aquifer• Articles on Texas water policy• Videos related to the flow of water through the
aquifer• Post-event handbook with information learned
during the day and suggestions for further writing, discussion, and exploration
Logistics
• Buses• Lunch and breakfast• Free admission to pool• Swimming!• Music at end of event
Feedback
• Content?• Pre and post-event teaching resources?• Buses?• Lunch and breakfast?
Barton Springs University 2015