GBRA’s Environmental Science division leads the Authority’s stewardship, protection, conservation and resource reclamation efforts, increasing awareness and appreciation of water and natural resources throughout the Guadalupe River Basin.
The Environmental Science team works collaboratively with like-minded partners – including Texas Parks & Wildlife and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – to monitor the health and vitality of aquatic species, as well as water quality, throughout the basin.
Aligned with its mission of conserving and protecting the Guadalupe River Basin, GBRA began development of a basin-wide Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) in 2021. The HCP will take a holistic and comprehensive approach to addressing the Guadalupe River as a critical resource for a variety of species – aquatic, riparian, avian and human.
Located at the GBRA Main Office in Seguin, Texas, the GBRA Laboratory is equipped to perform physical, chemical and biological analyses of water from natural streams, water and wastewater treatment plants, groundwater wells and treatment residuals. The GBRA Lab supports GBRA’s operations while also offering services to municipalities, water districts, industries, engineering firms, realtors, businesses, and private well owners.
GBRA is involved in a variety of statewide water quality initiatives:
The Texas Clean Rivers Program (CRP) is a statewide program established to holistically manage water quality issues across Texas. GBRA partners with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to administer the CRP for the Guadalupe River and Lavaca-Guadalupe Coastal Basins.
Watershed Protection Plans (WPP) are designed to restore waters impacted by nonpoint source pollution. GBRA has partnered with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB), the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, and local landowners and citizens within the Geronimo Creek watershed and the Plum Creek watershed to help protect and improve water quality through the development and implementation of a WPP.
GBRA is actively involved in monitoring and mitigating the presence of invasive Zebra Mussels throughout the Guadalupe River Basin.
The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority is pleased to partner with New Braunfels Utilities and the City of New Braunfels on One Water New Braunfels – a transformative collaboration program to ensure the protection and sustainability of water in New Braunfels for generations to come. The 2023 Interlocal Agreement between the three agencies outlines the governance and management of the One Water New Braunfels program.