Old Channel Restoration - Edwards Aquifer Authority

Old Channel Restoration

2013 RFP and Accepted Proposal for Old Channel Restoration

2013 RFP and Accepted Proposal for Sediment Island Removal

To minimize and mitigate the impacts of recreation and pumping during periods of low flow, the City of New Braunfels will remove problematic non-native vegetation, restore native habitat, undertake limited channel modification to enhance fountain darter habitat, and remove a small sediment island. The Old Channel Environmental Restoration and Protection Area (ERPA) includes the EAA Variable Flow Study reach below Elizabeth Street upstream to the culverts feeding the Old Channel from Landa Lake where the preferred native aquatic vegetation of the fountain darter has been scoured and replaced over time with less-preferred non-native aquatic vegetation.

This measure does not include an experimental channel or recirculation in Landa Park. As additional research is conducted and new data established, the City of New Braunfels will consider additional measures to protect habitat in this stretch of the Old Channel, based on protocols set forth in the FMA for determination of AMP measures and their implementation.

One specific area of targeted sediment removal is a small island that has formed just behind the Springfed Pool and immediately downstream of Landa Lake. The sediment island continues to grow, has established destructive non-native cane, and has displaced/destroyed fountain darter habitat.

The EAA Board Meeting will take place on April 9, 2024 at 1pm.
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