Known for its clear waters and constant flow from the Edwards Aquifer, it has been a popular spot for recreation and tourism. However, recent years have seen changes in water levels and quality due to varying environmental conditions, Niles said.
Niles highlighted the ongoing efforts to protect the Comal River. The city developed a watershed protection plan that was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2018, and the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority has been monitoring bacterial contamination since 2014.
“Our watershed protection plan focuses on identifying the sources of bacteria in the Comal River. Most of it is attributed to wildlife, both native and non-native,” Niles said. “We are working on measures to manage these populations and reduce their impact on the river.”
How we got here
Recent evaluations from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, local businesses and environmental authorities reveal declining flow rates and heightened concerns about the Comal River’s sustainability, particularly during droughts.
“The entire Guadalupe River basin has experienced extreme drought conditions between 2022 and 2023,” said Richard Richter, media relations specialist with the TCEQ. “These overly dry conditions have led to lower-than-normal flow conditions throughout the basin, including the Comal River.”
A key element to the river’s condition is the spring that feeds it. These springs are the primary sources of the river’s flow, making them crucial to any analysis of the river’s health and water quality, along with the health and volume of the Edwards Aquifer that feeds them, according to several agencies and experts.
Diving deeper
The 2024 Texas Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality offers a detailed assessment of the Comal River. The TCEQ monitored dissolved oxygen, pH, water temperature and bacteria levels. While the river generally meets water quality standards, bacteria levels are higher than acceptable limits.
“We continue to monitor the Comal River closely, focusing particularly on bacterial levels which exceed water quality standards in some areas,” Richter said.
He said the elevated bacteria levels in the Comal River are mainly due to animal waste from wildlife, lower water levels, concentrated pollutants and increased urbanization.
What’s being done
Several agencies are responsible for maintaining the health of the Comal River, including the city of New Braunfels, the TCEQ and the Edwards Aquifer Authority. These organizations are implementing various plans to address the river’s challenges.
Matthew Hoyt, owner of Corner Tubes in New Braunfels and a director for the EAA, said continued development within the aquifer’s recharge zone also creates greater risk for the river’s health with more impervious cover.
“We need to focus on protecting the aquifer from over-extraction and contamination,” Hoyt said. “[The Edwards Aquifer] directly feeds the Comal River ... the health of the aquifer is crucial for maintaining the river’s flow.”
Next steps
The city of New Braunfels developed the watershed protection plan for the Dry Comal Creek and Comal River watersheds to protect and preserve water quality. This includes recommendations to discourage the feeding of wildlife and minimize bacteria loading into the waterways.
The elevated bacterial levels in the Comal River are a significant concern, Niles said, primarily driven by wildlife waste, particularly from the high concentration of urban-dwelling white-tailed deer. The city of New Braunfels’ wildlife feeding ordinance, established in 2018, prohibits the intentional feeding of wildlife to mitigate this issue. Stricter enforcement of this ordinance, along with fines of up to $500 for violations, aims to reduce wildlife congregations near the riverbanks, thus decreasing contamination.
According to city documents, high concentrations of wildlife in an area “lead to high amounts of animal waste in that area, which contains harmful bacteria that can pollute waterways when washed away by rain, causing bacteria pollution in the Comal River and Dry Comal Creek.”
The city is considering collaboration with environmental organizations to bring additional resources and expertise to these initiatives. By addressing wildlife impact and enhancing community involvement, New Braunfels can protect the Comal River, ensuring its health and vitality for future generations, Niles said.
