How Much Water Is In The Pedernales? Determining The Source Of Base Flow To The Pedernales River In Northern Blanco, Hays And Travis Counties

Douglas A. Wierman

Abstract

The results of this study confirm that the groundwater from the Paleozoic and Cretaceous Aquifers contribute significant base flow to the Pedernales River and Lake Travis in the study area. Approximately half of the inflow into Lake Travis from the Pedernales River originates in the study area, or approximately 12 percent of the total inflow into Lake Travis. Shallow depths to groundwater and apparently high-modeled recharge rates indicate the Paleozoic strata, primarily on the northern side of the river, contribute the majority of the inflow to the river. Future groundwater management actions in this area need to consider the importance of this area to maintaining adequate water supplies.