Linking Land And Water

By Jack Hollon

Wimberley’s response to the True Ranch proposal was a watershed event. Jim McMeans and Patrick Cox laid out a compelling case against urban-style development in a critical recharge area for Jacobs Well – Cypress Creek. The community rallied behind these leaders, and even went a step further: the battle over how we grow is engaged. This public meeting marked a significant turning point. The traditional, and fondly quirky, “Wimberley Way” is not going to give way easily to urban sprawl and quick profits.

Last spring, the same was indicated in the vote against road bonds for a proposed freeway to Wimberley. Those who wish to visit may have to drive a bit slower, but the tree-lined entrance along RR-12 and the scenic views of the Devil’s Backbone make it worth slowing, even pausing, to appreciate what is here.

The Wimberley Valley Watershed Association was formed during the 1995-96 drought, when it became clear that we could indeed lose the heart of this place, Cypress Creek. The 1999-00 drought soon confirmed that judgment, when Jacobs Well stopped flowing: mid-July to mid-October 2000.

Flood and drought continued to alternate as citizens of the Valley and Hays County invested heavily in protecting Blue Hole and preserving land around Jacobs Well.

Do these actions solve the problem? By no means.But what we have is a confluence of complementary themes: water protection and land preservation, that show promise.

1. Protect and preserve Wimberley-Woodcreek water, and
2. Preserve the beauty and open spaces that make the Valley special.

Without the first, our clear flowing creek, we merely join that long list of places that have dried up their springs and so have lost their magic, ceased to be special.

Without the second, the critical recharge areas, we lose the first. Paving over recharge equals fouling our nest. Preserving rural qualities in these hills also provides a rich home for wildlife and the increasingly rare opportunity for solitude and quiet.

Thus, land conservation moves front and center in the effort to protect Jacobs Well, the Cypress, and the Blanco.

Protection of large blocks of ranch land and open space, in ways that are fair and beneficial to ranchers and other land owners, will require more investment by all of us. But what a rich legacy from that commitment: Protecting our water en perpetuity, and preserving unspoiled Texas Hill Country, so that the Wimberley Way has a chance to continue. Our friends and neighbors in more crowded urban areas to the east will join in this enterprise, for it truly benefits the entire region.

The next critical issue that has just landed on our plate is the prospect of bringing LCRA water via pipeline, down RR-12 to the Valley. This raises huge questions, since surface water could either: a) take the lid off development density and sprawl, or b) replace some of our groundwater usage to help protect spring flows. Are we willing to pay a high price for surface water to replace “free” groundwater? What is our vision for this place? This matter deserves comprehensive study, debate, and discussion.

Jack Holly represents Wimberley on the board of directors of the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District.