Blanco-Cypress Watershed Protection Plan
Welcomes a New Watershed Coordinator | | |
The Blanco-Cypress Watershed Protection Plan (BCWPP) is a long-term, collaborative effort to protect the health of Cypress Creek, the Blanco River, and the groundwater systems that span across the Texas Hill Country. Rooted in science, stewardship, and regional collaboration, the plan works to protect water quality, sustain spring flow, reduce pollution, and help communities grow without losing the natural systems that make this region so unique.
The Watershed Protection Plan was formally approved by the EPA in 2014, and partners across the region have helped conserve more than 39,000 acres in Hays County, including Jacob’s Well Natural Area and Blue Hole Regional Park, while advancing groundwater protections, water quality ordinances, watershed education initiatives, and ongoing scientific monitoring throughout the region.
In the past year alone, the program logged 485 water samples across 43 monitoring sites, engaged more than 2,400 community members, and responded to more than 100 pollution inquiries across the watershed.
A major milestone in this work came in May 2024 through the establishment of the Blanco-Cypress Watershed Protection Plan Interlocal Agreement, a regional partnership between the Watershed Association, Hays County, the cities of Wimberley and Woodcreek, and the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University
The collaboration was created to strengthen long-term watershed coordination across jurisdictional boundaries and support continued water quality monitoring, watershed coordination, community education, and watershed planning efforts throughout the region.
| Tune in to KXAN this Thursday at 4:00 PM to learn more about the current state of Jacob’s Well and the Watershed. Watershed Association Executive Director David Baker will join Nick Bannin, Chief Meteorologist of KXAN, to discuss watershed conditions, groundwater challenges, and the importance of regional stewardship efforts. | |
Welcome, Melissa Wolter, new Watershed Coordinator! | |
Melissa brings a strong background in aquatic science, watershed research, education, and community outreach. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Biology and her Master of Science in Aquatic Resources from Texas State University, where her research focused on aquatic ecosystems, biomonitoring, freshwater species, and watershed health throughout Texas rivers and streams.
Most recently, Melissa served as an Aquatic Science educator, developing hands-on environmental curriculum that connected students directly to local waterways and stewardship practices.
“This watershed is my home and my children’s home,” Melissa shared. “The Blanco River and Cypress Creek are essential to our community’s identity and quality of life. I am excited to work alongside residents, landowners, local governments, and partner organizations to help ensure these treasured waterways remain healthy and resilient for future generations.”
The urgency of this work continues to grow. Jacob’s Well remains one of the clearest indicators of overall aquifer and watershed health in the region, and recent years have brought increasingly long periods of low and no-flow conditions.
| | | | Photo by: Matthew Guthrie | | Community Stewardship in Action | |
On May 9th, a small group of volunteers gathered near the intersection of Mt. Sharp Road and Jacob’s Well Road to clean up roadside trash within the Cypress Creek Watershed. This cleanup was one of more than 60 watershed cleanups taking place across Texas this May as part of Trash Free Gulf, a campaign led by The Gulf Trust.
While roadside cleanups often feel local in scale, this effort was rooted in a larger mission. Early that Saturday morning, volunteers came together to help protect the Cypress Creek Watershed, not only to keep trash out of our local swimming holes, creeks, and green spaces, but also to prevent litter from traveling hundreds of miles downstream to the Gulf of Mexico.
In 2026, the Gulf Trust set a statewide goal of removing 45,000 pounds of trash from Texas waterways before it reaches the Gulf. In just two hours, our group of five volunteers collected 20 bags of trash totaling 140 pounds. After the cleanup, volunteers sampled and documented the contents of one bag to submit data to the Texas Litter Database, a resource managed by Keep Texas Beautiful that helps track pollution trends across the state.
Every effort counts.
Community cleanups like this are incredibly important because litter is constantly entering our waterways and natural areas faster than any single organization or municipality can address alone. Protecting our waters requires collective stewardship, from reducing single-use waste to making sure trash is properly disposed of before it enters the landscape.
The next Trash Free Gulf cleanup will take place in May 2027. The Watershed Association team hosts regular monthly clean-ups on the first Friday of every month. Visit the link below to learn more and register to volunteer for your watershed.
| Water, Texas Annual Film Event | | |
The Watershed Association was honored to be part of the 11th Annual Water, Texas Film Event this May alongside filmmakers, storytellers, conservation organizations, and water advocates from across the state. Hosted by the Texas Water Foundation at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, the festival brought together more than 300 guests to celebrate stories rooted in water, resilience, restoration, and stewardship.
We were especially grateful to have our short film, "Monitoring Our Aquifers", featured in the festival. This film shares the story of groundwater protection, aquifer monitoring, and the importance of protecting the interconnected waters of the Texas Hill Country.
Storytelling has the power to deepen connection, inspire stewardship, and strengthen our relationship to the places we call home. We’re grateful to be part of a growing community using film and storytelling to advocate for the future of water in Texas.
Visit: www.watertexasfilms.org to see the full list of film contest winners!
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Land. Water. Connection Education Series:
Watershed Field Project
Saturday, May 30th
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Blanco, TX
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Drought-Proofing the Land with Pete Van Dyck
Join Pete Van Dyck, founder of DroughtProofTX, for a hands-on workshop exploring how the natural cycle of flood and drought can be harnessed to build healthy soils, recharge groundwater, revive springs, and help rivers flow year-round.
The workshop begins with a classroom session explaining the principles of drought-proofing land and water systems, followed by an outdoor field tour where participants will see these practices working in real time.
Location: Exact address will be shared upon completion of registration.
Carpooling is encouraged due to limited parking.
There are only a few spots left. Please RSVP to confirm your spot!
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Join us at 7A Ranch Opera House for an evening of film, music, and connection rooted in the water that sustains our region.
Beginning at 6:30 PM, we’ll gather for a public screening of Hope for the Guadalupe, a film by Ben Masters and Fin and Fur Films. In the wake of the July 4th floods, the film tells the story of Hill Country community members, nonprofits, scientists, and volunteers working together to restore the river’s ecology. It offers a powerful reflection of what’s possible when a community comes together in care of a shared resource.
Following the screening, the evening will continue with live music by Georgia Parker.
Seats are limited and selling out fast. We hope to see you there!
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The Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with The Watershed Association, invites the community to the 2026 State of the Water Luncheon on Wednesday, June 24th, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Wimberley Community Center.
Hosted by David Baker, founder of The Watershed Association, and Lindsey Derringer, Executive Director of the Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce, this annual gathering will bring together regional water leaders, experts, business owners, and community members for an important conversation about the future of water in the Texas Hill Country.
The event will explore current watershed conditions, regional water challenges, groundwater trends, and emerging solutions, including the role of One Water strategies in building long-term resilience for Jacob’s Well, our creeks and rivers, and our communities.
This event will focus on the critical state of water in our valley:
- Jacob’s Well has remained at zero flow since November 2025.
- The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is experiencing the longest drought period in its history.
- Regional water demand is projected to more than double by 2050.
The State of the Water Annual Luncheon is one of the largest and well-attended luncheons of the year. Reserve your space now.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
Tickets: $25 for Chamber members | $30 for non-members
Purchase tickets at: Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce.
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