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Spring is in full force: native grasses are tall and green, trees have erupted in fresh leaves and bluebonnets are gracing roadsides across the region. But these blooms rely on long-awaited rains, and despite the vibrant floral displays, rainfall counts are already off to a rough start.
Last year, the Hill Country Alliance, a regional nonprofit that works to preserve clear and flowing waters in the Hill Country, celebrated its first annual Spring Water Revival: a month-long springtime celebration of the region’s incredible waters — bubbling springs, pristine streams and flowing rivers.
In an ironic twist of fate, since last spring, the region has seen countless creeks and springs dry up in response to one of the harshest year-long droughts on record. Jacob’s Well stopped flowing for the longest period in history, and the Highland Lakes, which receive much of their flow from spring-fed rivers, saw historically low inflows. Hill Country springs are the lifeblood of the region, supporting local economies, drinking water supplies, recreation and countless plants and animals. The ongoing drought has left residents across the Hill Country worried about the area’s collective water future.
Despite the challenges posed by the drought, the Hill Country Alliance is celebrating its second annual Spring Water Revival Month this year, all April long.
“The ongoing drought has been hard on the Hill Country,” says HCA’s water program manager, Marisa Bruno. “And it’s an important reminder not to take our springs for granted. The goal of our Spring Water Revival month is not just to celebrate our springs, but also to educate community members about their local water resources and highlight ways to get involved.”
This year’s Spring Water Revival will include a social media campaign that highlights some of the many grassroots groups working to protect local waterways, along with examples of Hill Country communities protecting water resources through local ordinances. The Hill Country Alliance is also sharing water resources and events throughout the region at springwaterrevival.org.
Upcoming events include:
• Yana Wana’s Legend of the Bluebonnet Play Screening on April 13 — Join the Indigenous Cultures Institute and the Hill Country Alliance at Spring Lake in San Marcos from 6–8 p.m. for an evening event featuring a family-friendly play screening and panel discussion. The play features Indigenous dances, shares ancient traditions and presents a Native-origin story about the first bluebonnets and sacred springs in Texas.
• Junction Runs on Water Block Party and Mural Reveal on April 15 — Join the Llano River Watershed Alliance, Hill Country Alliance, Big Seed and Texas Water Foundation for a free block party in Junction celebrating the first Texas Runs on Water mural in the Hill Country.
The Hill Country Alliance is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to raise public awareness and build community support around the need to preserve the natural resources and heritage of the Central Texas Hill Country. Learn more about the alliance at hillcountryalliance. org.
