By Griffin Kaye
SAN MARCOS— As the population of San Marcos continues to increase, local organizations are looking ways to keep the San Marcos River healthy.
Sewell Park is among the most popular spots for recreational use occupied by a majority of college students. Many factors can affect the population of native species, however due to the recent drought, low water levels combined with recreational activity are causing a decline in the native wild rice species, which is endangered.
Due to the drought, the riverways and natural water reserves are low, and the realization that water is a finite source is causing policy shifts such as wastewater permits and updated management plans. These plans created by construction companies and large corporations often neglect prioritizing the health of the river, causing more trouble for those who work to clean up the river and remove invasive species.
Organizations like Texas Rivers Protection Association (TRPA) partner with other organizations like Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to help regulate and fight these ever-changing permits. One of their main goals is to encourage the beneficial reuse of wastewater created by infrastructure development.
Executive Director of the San Marcos River Foundation Virginia Parker works with these organizations, advocating to prioritize the health of the river.
“Our overall mission is to protect and preserve water quality and quantity in the springs and river,” Parker said. “That encompasses water quality impacted from runoff and erosion, trash in the river, and any specific point source pollution. We are trying to work with developers to get them to utilize more green infrastructure to protect natural resources.”
Students and locals can be seen at the rivers and parks year-round causing inevitable trash to end up in the river. Piper Faith, an aquatic biology major often enjoys going to Sewell, however she is concerned that students not tidying up when leaving the river is going to be a major concern as the population of San Marcos continues to grow.
“Some areas around the river have been clean, but there’s definitely spots where trash ends up at the most,” said Faith. “Sometimes I will find bits of broken glass, plastic, and cans when snorkeling. Sometimes families and students won’t be the best at getting all their trash before leaving. Something needs to change before the problem gets worse.”
Not only is trash a major issue regarding the health of the river, but invasive species also disrupt the ecosystems stability.
Places like the Meadows Center often work with environmental conservationists and volunteers to remove invasive species from the river.
According to Plant Biology Major Angela Gonzalez, invasive species can not only disrupt the natural food chain but can increase competition for organisms to survive. Aquatic vegetation like water sprite, is popular in aquariums and fish tanks, however people dump them into the river thinking that its best for the plant instead of throwing it away.
“People often dump their aquariums into the river when they move out or just don’t want them anymore,” said Gonzalez. “This is likely what caused plants like water sprite and water lettuce to be introduced into our river. it makes me sad that people don’t think about the damage it might cause to other species in the river.”
Places like the Discovery Center has a fish drop off including several fish tanks and even an outdoor pond for those looking to rehome their aquarium, in hopes that it reduces the amount of invasives making their way into the river.
For more information go to the San Marcos River Foundation website or the Meadows Center.
