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Fast Facts
Environmental Creek Assessments |
Photo Gallery |
| Fast Facts |
| Population |
2000: 92,922
2030: 129,514 |
| Creek Length |
19 miles |
| Drainage Area |
30 square
miles |
| Drains To |
Colorado
River east of Austin through Onion Creek |
| Well Known Sites |
Dick Nichols
District Park, Jimmy Clay Golf Course, Garrison Park, The
“Y” in Oak Hill, Crockett High School, Stephenson
Preserve, Blowing Sink Karst Preserve, Seton Southwest |
| Land Use |
Residential
Business
Civic
Parks
Roadways
Undeveloped |
33%
7%
3%
6%
14%
37% |
Watershed Facts
- Williamson Creek has characteristics of a
developing watershed with a moderate amount of impervious cover
(paved surfaces), and has a high potential for future impervious
cover increases from additional development.
- The watershed encompasses over 30 square
miles, and is Austin’s second largest suburban watershed.
Williamson Creek flows downstream to McKinney Falls, Onion Creek
and eventually to the Colorado River.
- The upper reaches of the creek recharge the
Edwards Aquifer, and scientists believe that at one time Barton
Creek was a tributary of Williamson Creek.
- Williamson Creek is home to many beautiful
caves including Whirlpool Cave and District Park Cave in Dick
Nichols Park.
- In response to citizen complaints, investigators
find an average of 90 pollution problems each year in Williamson
Creek. Sewage is the most common problem, followed by petroleum
and trash
- Water quality is good to excellent*
(2001 Water Watchdogs EII Phase 1 Watersheds Report (monitoring
conducted in 2000)
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Creek Assessments
Environmental
| Index |
Score |
Category |
Notes |
| Overall
Score |
69 |
Good
|
Williamson ranks 13 out
of 46 watersheds in overall quality |
Water
Chemistry |
63
|
Good |
Water quality is above
average |
Sediment
Quality |
80 |
Very
Good |
PAHs are low, herbicides/pesticides
are very low, metals are very low |
| Recreation |
89 |
Excellent |
During dry weather conditions,
bacteria is not a threat |
| Aesthetics |
73
|
Good |
Some litter is present,
no odor, algae covers 10-20% of creek, some of the creek bed
is dry |
| Habitat |
66 |
Good
|
Increased sediment deposition,
buffer zone is small |
| Aquatic
Life |
43
|
Marginal
|
Benthic macroinvertebrate
community is poor; diatom community is fair |
- The US Corps of Engineers is planning projects
for flood and ecosystem restoration; this may result in federal
funding for projects that improve water quality and aquatic
life.
- Corps of Engineers project plan includes
flood control and stream restoration projects with potential
to improve riparian and stream habitat.
- Project increases in population and development
could double the current level of impervious cover by 2040.
- Recharge zone bisects watershed and
influences local hydrology of creek.
Learn
More
How to Help
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| Photo Gallery |
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| Williamson Creek at Highway
71
|
Williamson Creek at Joe
Tanner |
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|
Williamson Creek at Mowinkle Drive |
Williamson Creek at McKinney Falls |
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Williamson Creek at McKinney Falls |
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