Medina River Watershed Protection

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Medina River Watershed Protection Through education, outreach, and community-driven action, we’re working to improve the water quality of the Medina River below Medina Diversion Lake.

The Watershed Protection Plan targets pollution reduction from multiple sources across the watershed. The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) and the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) are partnering in the development of a Watershed Protection Plan to address water quality trends and issues throughout the watershed. This plan will be stakeholder-driven and pull from existing information found in the Medina River Holistic Watershed Master Plan and TWRI summary report. Background:
The Medina River below Diversion Lake and Medio Creek have been considered impaired due to elevated E. coli concentrations that routinely exceed state water quality standards since 2010 and 2018 respectively. These waterways are used for swimming, fishing, kayaking and more throughout the year, and water from Diversion Lake is used for irrigation within the watershed. The Medina River contains multiple sensitive recharge features and contributes significant volumes of recharge to the Edwards Aquifer. Increasing development pressure expanding outward from the San Antonio metropolitan area is adding further environmental stress to the system. In 2021, TWRI worked with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to create a data summary report of the Medina River Watershed below Diversion Lake. The report summarizes previous research in the watershed, analyzes historic water quality data, and identifies potential sources of pollution. The project also included meetings with targeted stakeholders to discuss the next steps in the watershed and overall goals. The feedback from stakeholders during the data summary process indicated a preference for developing a Watershed Protection Plan.

LOGO WINNERS INCOMING!! The stakeholders voted at our meeting on Friday- and it was a tie for the final. Logo 1) The tea...
10/05/2026

LOGO WINNERS INCOMING!!
The stakeholders voted at our meeting on Friday- and it was a tie for the final.

Logo 1) The teal color of the water, the brown color of the soils and agricultural fields, and white of the limestone and river rocks, the outline of the river that creates a ying/yang balance, and the the large mouth bass that calls the water home along with the small mouth and Guadeloupe.

Logo 2) Perhaps the most notable flora in the watershed, the bald cypress that lines both sides of the river.

Since there was an even divide, we need you to comment your favorite!

10/03/2026

Spooky season is among us, and we need to talk about wet wipes. 👻🚽

They do a lot of good for us, but they do a lot of bad for our wastewater treatment infrastructure and water quality when they are flushed.

Many of the wastewater treatment plant clogs and overflows of untreated water into our rivers, creeks, and streams are a result of wet wipes, because they do not break down like normal toilet paper.

Thank you to Cibolo Creek Municipal Authority for letting us get the spooky footage.

Remember only the three Ps down the toilet: Paper, p*e and poo! 🎃

10/02/2026

Volunteers take to the banks of the Medina River in the Castroville Regional Park to help maintain our riparian restoration and native plant demonstration garden.

Riparian zone = transition zone between water and land

We couldn’t do this without our amazing volunteers who show up in the Texas heat.

Interested in volunteering? Visit our website to join the mailing list.

IMPORTANT CHANGE! Due to the storm predictions and flood watches, the October 1 stakeholder meeting will be online from ...
09/30/2026

IMPORTANT CHANGE! Due to the storm predictions and flood watches, the October 1 stakeholder meeting will be online from 1:00-3:00pm.

Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/2136640406241?p=RnMHVKJwSbWDtOalj0

Please stay safe and we cant wait to see your face online!

Everyone is welcome to join us in protecting the Medina River by marking your calendar for our next stakeholder meeting! We would love to hear your voice.

- October 01, 2026
- 1:00 – 3:00 PM
- https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/2136640406241...
- Free
-Featuring current water quality updates by San Antonio River Authority, information on conservation easements in our watershed by The Nature Conservancy in Texas, and other project partner updates.

RSVP: Appreciated, but not required, to [email protected]

We will also be voting on a Medina River Watershed Partnership logo design.

Please bring your questions, comments, updates and/or concerns.

If you live or work in the watershed, or simply care for the Medina River...YOU are a stakeholder.

09/23/2026

We all need a break from scrolling.

Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and take in the sounds of the Medina River for 30 seconds.

Have a wonderful day ☀️🐝💧

09/18/2026

Sandy and Steve Smith of Smith Pastures in Medina County were recently approved for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Program, a cost-share program to improve soil and ecosystem health through a whole-farm wholistic management plan.

Clean water, communty health, and soil health are incredibly intertwined.

Interested in cost-share programs to reach your production and conservation goals? Message us!

09/09/2026

What the land looks like can determine how clean the water is, and how much is captured vs how much runs off! Proper land management is vital to a healthy ecosystem.

IMPORTANT CHANGE! Due to the storm predictions and flood watches, the October 1 stakeholder meeting will be online from ...
09/08/2026

IMPORTANT CHANGE! Due to the storm predictions and flood watches, the October 1 stakeholder meeting will be online from 1:00-3:00pm.

Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/2136640406241?p=RnMHVKJwSbWDtOalj0

Please stay safe and we cant wait to see your face online!

Everyone is welcome to join us in protecting the Medina River! We would love to hear your voice.

- October 01, 2026
- 1:00 – 3:00 PM
- https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/2136640406241?p=RnMHVKJwSbWDtOalj0
- Free
-Featuring current water quality updates by San Antonio River Authority, information on conservation easements in our watershed by The Nature Conservancy in Texas, and other project partner updates.

RSVP: Appreciated, but not required, to [email protected]

We will also be voting on a Medina River Watershed Partnership logo design.

Please bring your questions, comments, updates and/or concerns.
If you live or work in the watershed, or simply care for the Medina River...YOU are a stakeholder.

Back by popular demand! Join us after work from 6:00-7:00pm for rainwater collection 101 in Hondo Thursday September 24,...
08/27/2026

Back by popular demand!

Join us after work from 6:00-7:00pm for rainwater collection 101 in Hondo Thursday September 24, 2024!

Limited to the first 25 people.

*This workshop is full but please call if you would like to be placed on a waiting list*

Interested in rainwater collection? Here is an opportunity to learn how to design a basic rainwater collection system with a rain barrel build demonstration! This program is free to those looking for just information but for $15 you get your own kit which includes your barrel and the fittings. We are only able to take the first 25 people that register due to limited space so please call 830-741-6180 to RSVP.

Address

816 Alsace Street
Castroville, TX
78009

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