Hydrologic investigations of urban drainage basins in Texas were begun by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1954. These studies are now in progress in Austin, Dallas, Dallas County, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.
The Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Water Resources, expanded the existing gaging-station network in the San Antonio metropolitan area in May 1968 to begin urban hydrology studies in this area. In September 1968, the program was further expanded to include the collection of water-quality data.
The operation and maintenance of stations 08178000, San Antonio River at San Antonio; 08178700, Salado Creek (upper station) at San Antonio; and 08178800, Salado Creek (lower station) at San Antonio are funded by the San Antonio River Authority in cooperation with the Texas Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Geological Survey.
The operation and maintenance and collection of water-quality data at station 08178640, West Elm Creek at San Antonio, and station 08178645, East Elm Creek at San Antonio are funded by the Edwards Underground Water District in cooperation with the Texas Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Geological Survey. These stations will provide hydrologic data on similar and adjacent drainage basins. One drainage basin is undergoing extensive urbanization while the other is undeveloped.
The objective of the San Antonio urban-hydrology study are:
- To provide data showing the effects of various stages of urbanization on flood discharge and runoff.
- To provide water-quality data on surface-water runoff from floods of various magnitudes, during all seasons of the year from areas with different types of utilization.
