“From the very beginning of the Edwards Region’s planning processes aimed at protecting endangered species in the Comal River and San Marcos River, managing recreation has been a constant topic of discussion and policy making,” said Mark Enders, City of San Marcos Habitat Conservation Plan Manager. “In fact, there is an active list of recreation management measures written into the current Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP). There are structural types of controls like dedicated stabilized river access areas and fencing that restrict access to the river as well as ongoing educational activities like communicating with visitors about endangered species and how they can help us protect them.”

Enders explained that the first 13 years of working on this issue within the EAHCP, which is linked to a Federal Incidental Take Permit, will likely be a bit different for the renewed EAHCP permit expected to occur in two years. The new permit request will be for 30 years rather than current permit’s 15-year length. The longer permit request paired with continued population growth and popularity of recreation in the San Marcos River is likely to cause policy makers to enact stricter management measures regarding river access and usage, especially during prolonged drought periods when river flows are low.

“The single use disposable beverage container ordinance authorized by the San Marcos City Council in 2024 is one such action that changes what people can bring to the river,” Enders noted. “Last summer, San Marcos enacted this ordinance in which river patrons are permitted to use only reusable drink containers on the river, along the banks of the river and in designated areas within City Parks, also known as ‘No Zones.’ Additionally, each person is permitted one cooler/ice chest of less than 30 quarts within the No Zones and within the river. We also established ‘Go Zones’ where fixed picnic tables, away from river banks, are located and less prone to having trash blown into the river on windy days. Over the past 12 months we have been informing the public about these changes and with advanced notice that fines would be implemented in 2025 for violations. It is still early in this year’s peak recreation season, so we’re still tracking how the new regulations are being followed. Ultimately, compliance is our goal. So, if we warn someone about a problem, we would rather they comply than forcing park rangers to fine them and escorting them out of the park.” 

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With increased restrictions on recreational activities along the river, there is an associated cost for being able to enforce new ordinances. Enders talked about the City of San Marcos reworking some of the local riverfront parking lots to enable the city to charge nonresidents a fee for parking. The City of San Marcos recently released the entire schedule for parking fees, which can be found here.  Parking fees will be used to help fund staffing, improvements or litter cleanup within City parks. The paid parking at City Park will start July 1, more information about registering here.

Another major development on the San Marcos recreation front is the installation of fencing around Rio Vista Park, the city’s busiest riverfront park. There are some small water falls there with flat terrain that makes it a very popular place to enjoy the year-round 72-degree water in the spring-fed river. There will be approximately five gated access points to funnel visitors into Rio Vista. Park Ambassadors will man the gates to greet guests and screen what is being brought into the park as well as talk to visitors about the environmental sensitivities of this section of the river. 

“People have been coming to the river from all over the state for decades and they’ve brought all sorts of things like charcoal grills, alcohol and all types of containers,” Enders said. “The ambassadors at the park entrances will improve compliance by explaining that those types of things are no longer allowed and why the changes are being made. That goes to the notion of getting people to voluntarily comply and understand why it is important before they enter the park rather than having to get aggressive with fines after they’ve set up all of their gear. It will just work better for everyone if we address park rules before visitors possibly have their fun interrupted by a park ranger.”

One particularly sensitive area of the San Marcos River known as the “Eastern Spillway” is being eyed for permanent closure. That location is where water from Spring Lake flows into the San Marcos River. Enders explained that the State of Texas allows the City to cordon areas like that with buoys and other controls when the San Marcos Springs flow less than 120 cubic feet per second. With the ongoing multi-year drought, it has been a few years since river-goers have had access to the Eastern Spillway above Sewell Park.

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“The Eastern Spillway provides great habitat for endangered San Marcos salamander, fountain darter and Texas-wild rice. And even though we have had this area ‘temporarily’ closed for some time, we are wanting to permanently shut this part of the river off from tubers and waders as part of the new Habitat Conservation Plan which will be the basis for a renewed federal permit. That is a major change for river management here, but we think it is necessary due to its importance to sustaining endangered species populations.

Enders stated the most interesting and promising part of this evolution of how they manage recreation on the San Marcos River is that as situations negatively impacting the environment have occurred, responsible parties have taken necessary actions to mitigate those problems. The situation with Rio Vista Park is a perfect example. As City staff and environmental program managers saw significant increases in numbers of visitors, they documented the associated levels of litter and trampling of riparian areas, and then took steps to control access to the park. The recent fencing of Rio Vista illustrates a type of higher level of protections that can be taken to ensure ecosystem sustainability despite increased popularity of the park.

“As we’re trying to discern what recreation in the San Marcos River will look like in 30 years, we’ve learned that success of any program needs to be implemented collaboratively,” Enders concluded. “The entire EAHCP team is really focused on helping us in San Marcos. The City Council understands the balance required in protecting endangered species while still inviting tourists from all over the state to come here and enjoy this natural wonder. The students and faculty at Texas State are equally invested in high-level research as well as one-on-one relationship building with visitors. And the whole team has demonstrated its willingness to address issues, at the level required, knowing that it is our duty to protect these amazing natural resources well into the future.”