Monitoring Program to Evaluate Water Quality Impacts of Vegetation Restoration in the Leon River Watershed

Abstract:

The Leon River flows through Texas' traditional rangeland on the northern edge of the Texas Hill Country into Lake Belton. Located near Temple and Belton, Lake Belton was cited by the U.S. Army of Engineers as one of the cleanest lakes in Texas in the late 1980's. As we begin the new millennium, Lake Belton is the primary water source for 250,000 Central Texas residents, including the cities of Belton, Temple, Killeen, Harker Heights, Nolanville, Fort Hood, and rural residents. Little work has been done on upstream watersheds to insure the water quality and quantity of this vital water supply reservoir for future generations. During recent years, public attention has shifted from soil conservation and flood prevention to concern for wildlife habitat and water quality. As a result, it is necessary to examine the effects of land practice measures on these two important environmental parameters. We are proposing a multidisciplinary rangeland restoration project supported by Federal Congressional members, Texas State legislators, and the Texas Agricultural community. Plans are underway to restore valuable rangelands (Leon River Restoration Project) with the cooperation of Central Texas Cattleman's Association (CTCA), and Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Their goal is to restore the productivity of native rangelands and habitat for native wildlife and to ultimately improve water quality and quantity in the Leon River Watershed. To accomplish these goals, the CTCA is proposing the removal of non-native woody species that are invading rangelands and destroying productivity. Rangeland in Coryell and Hamilton Counties will be selected for revegetation using maps created by Blackland Research and Extension Center and overhead imagery to assist in final site selection prior to ground truthing and clearing of ashe juniper from selected sites in cooperation with landowners. Through vegetation management, this project will quantify the potential water supply increase for Central Texas urban and rural residents while improving the grazing quality with the reducing of ashe juniper on rangelands.

• Chet Edwards Visits the project
• Introduction
• Background of Juniperus ashei
• Water Quality
• Water Quality Evaluation
• Project Benefits, Goals, and Objectives
• TASK 1: Project Management and Coordination
• TASK 2: Monitor Water Quality Effects
• TASK 3: Data handling and analysis
• Coordination, Roles, and Responsibilities
• References
• Re-vegetation, March 2002

December 15, 2002
Dennis Hoffman, Project Leader