Save Water to Save Life
Savanah Masters
Savanah Masters
The issue that I am exploring for this project is pollution in water and how it affects wildlife and vegetation in certain areas. The area that I am focusing on specifically is the San Marcos River. Pollution is an ongoing issue that has been prominent throughout history. San Marcos is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. As the city continuously grows, especially in a college environment, unfortunately the issue is not completely resolved. The San Marcos river is home to many rare and valuable species that need clean, fresh water in order to survive. Careless pollution puts those lives and ecosystems in danger. Although pollution is an issue that has largely affected the water, there are areas in San Marcos that are protected and maintained so that this is not an issue and so that wildlife and vegetation can thrive and survive.
San Marcos River, Evelyn Fiedler Streng
Photograph of San Marcos River near Fentress, Texas. There is various plant life growing on both sides of the river and there are large trees located in the background.
The San Marcos River: A Unique Biological Environment, 1980
Aquarena Center, Environmental Education Center, 1990’s
Spring Lake in San Marcos is protected in certain areas and has limited pollution issues from what I have observed. The San Marcos area is part of a habitat conservation plan called The Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP). The organization states that this plan “defines how we protect federally listed species that live in the Edwards Aquifer and the Comal and San Marcos springs. Our program’s Incidental Take Permit was granted to the Edwards Aquifer Authority, City of San Marcos, City of New Braunfels, Texas State University, and the City of San Antonio acting by and through the San Antonio Water System to protect federally listed species from specific activities, Covered Activities, like groundwater pumping.”
The San Marcos River is home to several rare species such as the San Marcos Fountain Darter, Texas Blind Salamander, the San Marcos Salamander, the San Marcos Gambusia and Texas Wild Rice, as well as normal species you would usually find in a river habitat.
One of the biggest threats to the river is water pollution. These animals' living conditions are threatened by careless litter and pollution in the water. To protect the river, be cautious of how you are disposing of waste. There are many ways you can help this issue. Personally, I have participated in many river clean up events to prevent the river from being polluted. The city of San Marcos and organizations have implemented preventative measures to ensure that this is not an issue, but there is no way to completely put this to an end unless everyone becomes aware.
Sources:
Streng, Evelyn Fiedler. [San Marcos River], photograph, Date Unknown;(https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth860369/: accessed February 27, 2024),University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Lutheran University.
https://exhibits.library.txstate.edu/s/univarchives/media/10755
https://exhibits.library.txstate.edu/s/univarchives/media/10759
https://www.edwardsaquifer.org/habitat-conservation-plan/
Streng, Evelyn Fiedler. [San Marcos River], photograph, Date Unknown;(https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth860369/: accessed February 27, 2024),University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Lutheran University.
https://exhibits.library.txstate.edu/s/univarchives/media/10755
https://exhibits.library.txstate.edu/s/univarchives/media/10759
https://www.edwardsaquifer.org/habitat-conservation-plan/