Education

Videos, Activities & Resource Kits

Central Texas’ groundwater, karst landscape, and innovative residents are fascinating!  Local researchers, agencies, and organizations (the Aquifer District included) have made a lot of the science accessible through videos, activities & experiments, and resource pages.

Educational Videos

BSEACD Videos

Science in 60 Seconds

  • Water Well Check Up: Learn how you can gather and submit your own sample to the local laboratory. As always, we’ll be here to help you understand your results and make recommendations that might be helpful.
  • Turbidity: Learn more about turbidity.
  • What is pH?: pH stands for potential of hydrogen. Sounds complicated if you’re not a science person, right? We break it down.
  • Water Conductivity: Water conductivity is the measure of a water’s ability to pass an electrical current. Because dissolved salts and other inorganic chemicals conduct electrical current, conductivity increases as salinity increases, which is the overall saltiness of a body of water.
  • Downhole Video Cameras: We discuss the importance of using downhole video cameras in district wells.

Other BSEACD Videos

  • What is the role of BSEACD?: Principal Hydrogeologist Brian Smith explains the role and mission of the District.
  • Well Site Visits: One way the District measures what’s happening in the Edward’s aquifer is by monitoring about 40 plus wells throughout Hays and Travis counties. Hydrogeologist Technician Justin Camp takes along for his well site visits and explains how it all works!
  • Antioch Cave: Did you know that a majority of recharge to the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer is through recharge features such as caves? About 2 miles upstream from Buda on Onion Creek is an important water feature that contributes to Barton Springs.
  • The Barton Springs Pool: An Austin Icon: The Barton Springs Pool is an Austin icon! It’s a natural destination for folks to cool off from the Texas Heat. Our Principal Hydrogeologist Brian Smith explains more about the spring water and what is being doing to protect the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer.
  • Monitoring the Edwards and Trinity Aquifers: The Edwards and Trinity aquifers are significant sources of water for industrial and agricultural use, for ecological resources in Central Texas, and are the sole sources of water for many people in the area. That is why it is important for the District to monitor and understand the hydraulic relationship between the two aquifers. We have six Westbay Multiport Monitoring Wells throughout the District that provide us with an abundance of information on what’s happening with the Edwards and Trinity Aquifers.
  • How Groundwater Modeling Works: Groundwater plays an important role in our everyday lives and communities. It is used for both public and private supply, irrigation, livestock, and other services. That is why it is vital that we fully understand how the groundwater system works. The District’s Aquifer Science team is currently working on the Trinity Aquifer in-house groundwater model to help us plan and conserve for generations to come. The District is also playing a role in helping to guide model construction for Southwest Research Institute’s Blanco River Basin numerical groundwater model, also known as BRATWURST.
  • Borheim Quarry: This hidden treasure in Hays County tells the District a lot about the Edwards and Trinity Aquifers. Known by some as the Borheim Quarry, the City of Austin purchased this land years ago for watershed protection purposes. Check out the video above with Principal Hydrogeologist Brian Smith, to learn more about the connection to Barton Springs.
  • BSEACD Weather Station: BSEACD’s weather station is online! It contains information on daily and weekly rain amounts, winds, relative humidity, dew point, and soon it include soil moisture and solar radiation measurements.
  • Video From Inside A Well:  It is important for the district to understand how a well is completed and which aquifer it is in. We use downhole cameras to get a look at a well’s construction and geology.
  • Well Construction:  A properly constructed well can provide clean, safe water for years. Well construction standards help protect water quality and extend the service life of the well. A poorly constructed well can have poor water quality and/or limited access to groundwater over time.
    What Is Dye Tracing and How Is It Used in Groundwater Research?:  Groundwater dye traces use non-toxic dye to determine flow paths in aquifers. In the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, dye traces have shown that water can travel as fast as 17 miles in 3 days.
    Recharge:  Karst recharge features like caves, swallets, and faults in creek beds replenish aquifers by allowing surface water into the groundwater system. Features vary in size and volume of water they can channel into the groundwater system.
    Springs:  Springs and artesian wells are indicators of the overall health of an aquifer. Healthy springs indicate healthy aquifers. Artesian flowing wells and increased springflow indicate high groundwater levels. Springs help sustain the flow in area creeks and rivers.
    Blanco River Springs:  Springs provide important base flow for the Blanco River. Hill Country Trinity Aquifer springs flow even when it’s not raining. As the Blanco flows downstream, it eventually passes over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone and helps replenish the Edwards Aquifer.

General Groundwater-Related Videos

Edwards Aquifer:

  • Austin Underground: A variety of local experts talk about Edwards Aquifer geology, hydrogeology, biology, and threats/solutions. (4 video segments, City of Austin Watershed Protection Department)
  • Inner Space Cavern: Inside an Aquifer:  A video series that covers everything from the basics, to chemical processes that drive cave formation, to the advanced research done in the cave. (16 video segments, UT Environmental Science Institute)
  • Deep Underground with Balcones Canyonlands Preserve Biologist: A look at monitoring efforts for Balcones Canyonlands Preserve cave and the role of caves play as indicators of aquifer health. (1 video, Austin Wildlands BCP and WQPL)
  • Recharge in Action:  Watch as staff clear debris from a karst feature in Onion Creek.  Air bubbles out as water makes its way into the feature. (1 video, Austin Wildlands BCP and WQPL)
  • Aquifers and Streams: Texas Aquatic Science- Chapter 7:  Many of the cave, springs, and streams in this video are related to the Edwards Aquifer.  Beautiful footage and good discussion about recharge, endangered species, and unique underground habitats.  (Part of the Texas Aquatic Science educational resource guide by Texas Parks and Wildlife, more info)

Trinity Aquifer

  • Upper Onion Creek Dye Tracing:  An explanation of dye tracing methods and footage from a recent dye trace. (1 video, Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District)
  • Monitor Wells:  Discussion of the need for informed management and the role of monitor wells. (1 video, Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District)
  • Exploring the Trinity Aquifer:  An overview of the Upper, Middle, and Lower Trinity Aquifers, cave formation in the Trinity, and area springs. (1 video, Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District)

Groundwater Management

  • Aquifers in Texas:  An overview of the Texas aquifers, role of groundwater in the Texas economy, and groundwater conservation districts. (1 video of many, Texas Water Development Board, more info)
  • How do Aquifers Work?:  A discussion of porosity and permeability of the major Texas aquifers (including Edwards and Trinity), and explains common terms like outcrop/subcrop and confined/unconfined aquifers. (1 video of many, Texas Water Development Board, more info)
  • Groundwater Budget and Availability Models:  Discussion of the water cycle and the water budget as it relates to inflows and withdrawls.  (1 video of many, Texas Water Development Board, more info)
  • Using Groundwater Availability Models in Water Planning:  Overview of rule of capture, genesis of groundwater conservation districts, stakeholder involvement, planning tools (such as desired future conditions and modeled available groundwater assumptions) for groundwater in Texas.  (1 video of many, Texas Water Development Board, more info)

Water Wells:

  • How A Water Well is Drilled:  A view of key elements of well construction, considerations that help protect water quality, pump and pressure tank operation, and home owner guidance. (1 video, American Ground Water Trust)

Monitoring:

Rainwater Harvesting:

DIY Rain Barrel Instructions

Click to download the free DIY Rain Barrel Instructions (PDF)

Teaching Activity Kits

The District has several free water-related learning activity kits that can be loaned out to local schools or groups.

To request a Loaner Activity Kit please email edu@bseacd.org for availability.

Incredible Journey: Central Texas Edition

 
Kit Description:

Interact with a mock water cycle as you move around the environment, collecting multi-colored beads at stations along the way to create your own water journey bracelet. Great for introductions for K-2 on water cycle basics as well as expandable for further discussions.

Protect the Recharge Activity
Kit Description:

Since the recharge zone is where water enters the groundwater system, it is particularly sensitive to pollutants. Groups have to work together to remove ‘pollutants’ from a recharge zone without contaminating the aquifer. Accommodates groups of 5-7 with materials for 3-4 groups. Can be a great conversation starter when talking about common groundwater contaminants and the sensitivity of the recharge zone.

Water Toss Conservation Activity
Kit Description:

Aim bean bags at various targets to practice water conservation habits. Each of the targets represents a different water conserving strategy. Tally the number of gallons saved to determine if you are a Water Conservation Ranger, Ninja, or Jedi. This game comes with dishwasher-safe stickers and bragging rights.

2019 Teacher Kickstarter Supplies

Congrats to this year’s winning teachers and organizations!

  • Katherine Sturdivant – Hays Co Parks, Jacob’s Well Natural Area
  • Alison Baylis – Barton Springs Conservancy
  • Monica Sanchez – Hart Elementary
  • Jessica Rodriguez, Lucretia Beard, and Nelly Blakely – Menchaca Elementary
  • Michael Morris – San Marcos High School
  • Alexandra Walker – DIG Together
  • Elise Gonzalez, and Morgen Hughes – Austin High School
  • Lauren Maples, and Maite Saco – PEAS
  • Bret Kiester – YMCA Camp Moody
  • Mario Vasquez – Palm Elementary
  • Catherine Bergman – Kealing Middle School
  • Nate Rosenberg – Small Middle School Green Tech Academy
  • Andrew Harrod – UT Charter School

Free teaching materials are back and better than ever this year! In an effort to enhance area water conservation and water quality teaching initiatives, teachers may enter to win FREE materials to strengthen their programs. Preference will be given to first time participants and schools/groups within the District. If selected, applicants will be awarded one of the educational materials to keep and utilize, so long as they share what impact they had on your students or programs. The materials consist of hands-on learning tools that help to investigate groundwater resources, water quality, and conservation habits.

​2019 Request Options:

  • Go virtual caving and explore the aquifer from the inside with virtual reality (VR) goggles
  • Measure the pH of liquids with the pH meter & calibration kit
  • Measure specific conductance in water and estimate total dissolved solids with the conductivity meter
  • Practice conservation habits in your teaching garden with the Save-A-Drop hose meter & adjustable hose nozzle combo.

Email questions to edu@bseacd.org

2018 Teacher Kickstarter Supplies

In October of 2018 the District, in an effort to enhance area water conservation and water quality teaching initiatives, provided teachers the opportunity to win FREE materials to strengthen their programs. Preference was given to schools or groups within the District, and about ten educators were selected from differing schools and educational programs. The ten winners were given these free educational materials so long as they share what impact they had on their students or programs. The materials below consisted of easy-to-use tools that help to track water use and investigate water quality both in and out of the classroom.

2018 Request Options:

  • Measure the pH of liquids with the pH meter & calibration kit
  • Measure specific conductance in water and estimate total dissolved solids with the conductivity meter
  • Practice conservation habits in your teaching garden with the Save-A-Drop hose meter.

Collaborating Water Educators

 

Many of these agencies collaborate on the annual Groundwater to the Gulf: A Summer Institute for Educators.  Please join us for 3 days of field trips and hands-on science activities! For more information, including registration and photos of past Groundwater to the Gulf trainings, please visit the Colorado River Alliance Groundwater to the Gulf Webpage.

Agency Expertise
Austin Youth River Watch Water quality monitoring, stream restoration, Colorado River
Keep Austin Beautiful Litter abatement, water quality, watershed models, gardening, stream restoration, clean-up projects
City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department Outdoor learning, nature-based programs, Texas natives, land management for recharge
City of Austin Wildlands Prescribed fire, Texas natives, water quality protection, land management for recharge, caving, urban/wildland interface
Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept-Aquatic Education Fishing, angler education, riparian habitats, native and invasive fish, instream flow
City of Sunset Valley Urban forests, green classrooms, trail maintenance, urban/wildland interface
Guadalupe Blanco River Authority Guadalupe River, Blanco River, water quality, service learning projects, floods, drought response
Colorado River Alliance Colorado River, Spanish, water availability, outdoor classrooms
Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept- Coastal Coastal habitats, estuaries, marine life, instream flows
City of Austin-Watershed Protection Dept, Earth School Caving, watersheds, point and non-point source pollution, Edwards Aquifer
Texas Parks & Wildlife – Aquatic Education Texas Aquatic Science, Aquatic WILD, and Texas Waters: Exploring Water and Watersheds
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Texas natives, land management for recharge, Nature Nights
Bureau of Economic Geology Texas geology, Balcones fault zone, geologic history
Lower Colorado River Authority Water quality, aquatic ecology, freshwater mussels, zebra mussels, native/invasive aquatic vegetation, dams and power generation
City of Austin, Parks and Recreation Dept. Children in nature, outdoor classrooms, canoeing, Texas natives, invasives,
City of Austin, Parks and Recreation Dept.-Sheffield Education Center Barton Springs, endangered species, salamanders, drought, flood
Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center Trinity aquifer, outdoor classrooms, native flora and fauna, guided hikes and programs
Texas Master Naturalists Texas natives,birding, water availability, nature-based stories
Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Edwards and Trinity Aquifers, groundwater management, GIS, groundwater water quality, wells, caving
Texas Water Development Board Major Rivers, Texas water plan, water conservation
City of Austin-Watershed Protection Dept, Earth Camp Caving, recharge, macroinvertebrate sampling, Barton Springs, green classrooms