Restoration of Spring and Stream Aquatic Systems in Arid and Semi-Arid Texas Regions through the Desert Fish Habitat Partnership and Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership

Arid and semi-arid regions of the Edwards Plateau in central Texas and the Chihuahuan Desert in West Texas typically receive less than 26 inches of rain per year.  However, severe drought in the past 5 years has produced a fraction of the anticipated rainfall.  This reduction in precipitation in conjunction with historical land management practices has resulted in drastic reductions, and in some cases cessation, of spring flows.  This has resulted in intensified threats to many of the locally and regionally endemic aquatic species.  Within these areas experiencing extreme drought, habitat restoration projects supported by the Desert Fish Habitat Partnership (DHFP) and Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) have included an emphasis on protection and restoration of springs and surrounding habitats.  These projects have included education, outreach, and technical guidance to landowners to improve land management practices as well as incentives that ultimately will benefit local aquatic resources.  Resulting from these activities, multiple springs within the DFHP and SARP supported project areas have experienced returned and increased flows during a period of extreme drought.  Ongoing and future monitoring is focused on documenting physical and chemical changes within restored habitats as well as the response of local aquatic invertebrate and fish communities.