Lake Brownwood Watershed - Texas State Soil and Water ...

The streams in the watershed are naturally “gaining” streams (i.e., flow increases downstream). The river generally gains
flow by the discharge of groundwater to the river. Groundwater contributions come from springs and seeps along major
streams and their tributaries.
The aquifers in the study area generally yield only small amounts of water, and they receive comparatively low recharge.
Accordingly most precipitation becomes runoff to local streams.
Limited water supply shortages are projected to occur in the watershed because of increased water demand. Water
availability in rural areas of Brown and Runnels counties is a particular concern. Brush management may be an effective
means of improving surface water and groundwater supplies in the watershed. Further, the population in the lower
Colorado River basin is projected to more than double over the next 50 years. This projected increase in population is the
principal factor behind a projected increase in total water demand in the basin from approximately 1.1 million acre-feet in
2000 to 1.4 million acre-feet in 2050.
Although the hydrologic data available for this study were not adequate for determining if water yields in the Lake
Brownwood watershed have been affected by brush infestation, geologic and hydrologic conditions in the watershed are
very conducive to enhancement of water yields through brush management. Analysis found in Appendices 1-4 are based
on the period of 1960-1999. Further evaluations that include the drought of record may prove to be useful in predicting
water availability for future water supplies. It should also be noted that modeling of such scenarios is dependent on input
variables that are subject to interpretation.
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