ESI Integrated Watershed Breakout Session
River Valleys

Attendees:
Phillip Turnipspeed, USGS
Mike Kelly, City of Austin Watershed Protection and Development Review Department
David Eaton, UT LBJ School of Public Affairs
Juan Moya, Texas General Land Office
Richard Kiesling, USGS
Paul Hudson, UT Geography
Tommy Hill, Guadalupe - Blanco River Authority
Bill Mullican, Texas Water Development Board
Barney Austin, Texas Water Development Board
Sam Medlock, LCRA Floodplain Coalition Program Coordinator
Steve Graham, San Antonio River Authority (SARA)
Grace Chen, Texas Parks and Wildlife
Dave Buzan, Texas Parks and Wildlife
Kimberly Blancas, UT Geography student
Jillian Aldrin, UT Geography student

Each representative provided a broad overview of their agencies role within the watershed sciences, and also highlighted specific needs and problems. Open discussion ensued on a variety of topics. There was broad recognition of the importance in understanding fluvial sediment transport to a variety of issues, as well as to develop sediment monitoring programs in Texas. Several representatives discussed the importance of obtaining basic river channel indices, such as bed material size, that could be used as indicators of physical and biological changes. The issue of sediment transport was discussed from the standpoint of channel erosion and sedimentation, and in the context of coastal erosion. Recognition of rapid urban growth highlighted an interest in understanding watershed processes in urban environments. Cities such as San Antonio and Austin present challenges to local watershed authorities because of the complex geologic setting along the Balcones Escarpment, which influences fluvial processes such as river bank erosion and flooding. At the end of the round table there was recognition for a need to adapt basin-scale strategies to address watershed problems, which would involve greater cooperation between river authorities.