BY SHAHERYAR KHAN
Comal River bacteria levels There was a significant spike in E. coli levels in May 2022, reaching 1,400 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters. The standard for recreational use is 126 cfu per 100mL. Levels below were taken in May of each year.
Diving in deeper
Next steps
The city of New Braunfels developed the watershed protection plan for the Dry Comal Creek and Comal River watersheds to protect and preserve water quality. This includes recommendations to discourage the feeding of wildlife and minimize bacteria loading into the waterways. The elevated bacterial levels in the Comal River are a significant concern, Niles said, primarily driven by wildlife waste, particularly from the high concentration of urban- dwelling white-tailed deer. The city of New Braunfels’ wildlife feeding ordinance, established in 2018, prohibits the intentional feeding of wildlife to mitigate this issue. Stricter enforcement of this ordinance, along with fines of up to $500 for violations, aims to reduce wildlife congregations near the riverbanks, thus decreasing contamination. According to city documents, high concentrations of wildlife in an area “lead to high amounts of animal waste in that area, which contains harmful bacteria that can pollute waterways when washed away by rain, causing bacteria pollution in the Comal River and Dry Comal Creek.” The city is considering collaboration with environmental organizations to bring additional resources and expertise to these initiatives. By addressing wildlife impact and enhancing community involvement, New Braunfels can protect the Comal River, ensuring its health and vitality for future generations, Niles said.
The 2024 Texas Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality offers a detailed assessment of the Comal River. The TCEQ monitored dissolved oxygen, pH, water temperature and bacteria levels. While the river generally meets water quality standards, bacteria levels are higher than acceptable limits. “We continue to monitor the Comal River closely, focusing particularly on bacterial levels which exceed water quality standards in some areas,” Richter said. He said the elevated bacteria levels in the Comal River are mainly due to animal waste from wild- life, lower water levels, concentrated pollutants and increased urbanization.
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SOURCE: TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Comal River stream flow Stream flow has generally decreased over the years, with a notable drop in 2022 to 197 cubic feet per second and a further reduction in 2023 to 90.5 cfs. Levels below were taken in May of each year.
What’s being done
Several agencies are responsible for maintaining the health of the Comal River, including the city of New Braunfels, the TCEQ and the Edwards Aquifer Authority. These organizations are implementing various plans to address the river’s challenges. Matthew Hoyt, owner of Corner Tubes in New Braunfels and a director for the EAA, said contin- ued development within the aquifer’s recharge zone also creates greater risk for the river’s health with more impervious cover. “We need to focus on protecting the aquifer from over-extraction and contamination,” Hoyt said. “[The Edwards Aquifer] directly feeds the Comal River ... the health of the aquifer is crucial for maintaining the river’s flow.”
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SOURCE: TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
OCTOBER 10-13 4 DAYS. 4 DISTINCT EVENTS. IN GRUENE TEXAS
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