Report aims to preserve Jacob’s Well

A new report recommends the creation of groundwater management zones for the protection of Jacob’s Well.

The report, which was released through the joint efforts of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University and the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, aims to preserve flows to Jacob’s Well.

Jacob’s Well, located in the Wimberley area, provides “important ecological, hydrological and economic benefits to Wimberley, Woodcreek and the surrounding areas,” according to a press release.

After being completed by a Scientific Technical Committee of groundwater scientists and a Stakeholder Advisory Committee formed by the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, the report details three strategic areas which may influence Jacob’s Well. The report will now be presented at the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District’s board meeting on Aug. 28 in Dripping Springs.

“Jacob’s Well has stopped flowing several times over the last decade, which has created a sense of urgency for developing a special management zone,” Meadows Center Fellow Doug Wierman said in a statement. “Given the unique geology in the area, compounded by the rapid development within the watershed as well as the current and projected amounts of pumping in the future, it was very clear that some protections were needed to preserve flow to Jacob’s Well and Cypress Creek.”

The report details two groundwater management zones, as well as strategies to maintain the two zones.

“Jacob’s Well Groundwater Management Zone would be a special management zone located in the upper Cypress Creek Watershed, covering approximately 34 square miles,” a press release states. “The presented Regional Recharge Area Groundwater Management Zone would be located on the south and west border of the Jacob’s Well Groundwater Management Zone, covering approximately 56 square miles.”

Jacob’s Well feeds into Cypress Creek, which eventually flows into the Blanco River.

“This is a nice example of science assisting stakeholders in developing policy recommendations for the groundwater district,” said Robert Mace, the Meadows Center’s Interim Executive Director.