Vision San Marcos Comprehensive Plan

EX I ST ING CONDI T IONS San Marcos is situated in a unique natural

underground network of porous limestone located

on the eastern edge of the Edwards Plateau.

ENVI RONMENT AND RESOURCE PROTECT ION

Along the edge of the plateau there are a number

setting along the Balcones Escarpment, with the

of springs including the San Marcos Springs. The

Blackland Prairie to the east and the Edwards

rapid growth of the Austin-San Antonio Corridor

Plateau (commonly known as the Texas Hill

continues to place an ever increasing demand

Country) to the west. Land elevations in the San

• EXISTING CONDITIONS

on the aquifer water supply while negatively

Marcos area range from 510 to 1,030 feet

impacting water quality.

above sea level, with some slopes in excess of

• LAND USE SUITABILITY

The San Marcos Springs discharges water into

30%. The shallow soils of the Edwards Plateau are

Spring Lake, the source of the San Marcos River.

not well suited for agriculture; however, the thick

• PROJECTIONS

The river is both a major tourist attraction and a

clay soils of the Blackland Prairie are generally

• WATER QUALITY MODEL

factor in the high quality of life enjoyed by the

fertile.

community. The constant flow and temperature of

Steep topography, extensive rock outcroppings

• FIGURES APPENDIX:

the spring water has created a unique ecosystem

and intense storm events make San Marcos

Land Use Suitability

that provides habitat for several endangered

particularly susceptible to flooding. Major

species. Urban development on the recharge

floods have occurred several times over the last

zone, however, poses a major threat to the quality

75 years, with the two most recent in 1998 and

and quantity of aquifer water and consequently,

2001.

the future of the San Marcos River and its

The Edwards Aquifer is a water-bearing