[TV static]
- FEMALE NARRATOR:
"Texas Parks & Wildlife" television series,
originally known as "Made in Texas" got its start.
To celebrate this milestone, we're taking a look back
at some of the interesting stories and unique characters
that we've discovered over the past three decades.
In 1990 we took a look at some of central Texas' favorite
swimming holes and what was being done to protect
these unique resources.
[music]
[splash]
- NARRATOR: Central Texas is the location for some
of the finest swimming holes in the country.
They are places that give us a glimpse into the unspoiled
corners of Texas.
Places that remain much the same as when prehistoric
peoples gathered at these spots, claiming the banks
as their first permanent homes.
[music]
Many swimming holes are traditional gathering places
for families and friends.
Krause Springs just outside of Spicewood is such a place.
Located on the property of Mr. Elton Krause who bought it
some 40 years ago.
- Years ago I was baptized here on this place.
And we have lots of weddings here, receptions.
- NARRATOR: The sound of running water is a soothing
backdrop to the lush green maiden hair ferns and the
canopy of towering cypress trees that envelop the pool.
[yelling]
[splash]
For those looking for a bit more adventure,
there's Devil's Waterhole at Inks Lake State Park
in Burnet County.
The dark water surrounded by orange cliffs of granite
and quartz provides for a kind of natural amusement park
complete with all the noise, peril, and excitement of a
roller coaster ride.
[splash]
[music]
Swimming holes are also places of solitude and meditation.
For some, these pockets of natural beauty become
an integral part of their daily lives.
[music]
- It's just real refreshing, it's like a daily baptism
or something, I don't know how to describe it.
- I come here basically because it's just a
really special place.
There's a solitude, a peace.
[swimmers splashing]
- NARRATOR: The fact that our springs, rivers and streams
are threatened by uncontrolled growth is becoming a
highly charged political battle in many communities
throughout Texas.
- We want our cities back!
We want our cities back!
[cars honking]
- Take back your city from the developers that would
take it from you.
Thank you!
Take back our city!
- NARRATOR: This is what all the shouting is about.
In the heart of Austin is Barton Springs pool,
one of the largest natural spring fed swimming holes
in Texas.
A mist of confusion has risen concerning the effect that
development is having on the health of the springs.
It has become a fight, the two most vocal groups being
those who want to continue a program of development
on top of the recharge zone, and those who oppose any
new construction at all.
- As of last count, if my numbers are correct,
we have 378 speakers in the box who have signed up.
We can hear approximately 100 speakers tonight.
- We need stronger protection in our watershed,
in our inner city, not the mayhem against our environment
which will result with weakening amendments.
- You must find all the causes of pollution and treat them.
- You will represent all the city of Austin,
and don't get caught up in the cause celeb of the moment.
Please continue the growth.
- I think without water we won't have life.
- With all due respect, I cannot get away from
the feeling that the new ordinance as proposed,
is simply a no growth ordinance.
- It is very simple, if you build over the aquifer,
you will pollute our water supply.
- The data utilized to justify this ordinance has been
manipulated, fitted, converted, and ultimately
ignored by the staff to meet the political agenda
of growth controls through water quality.
- It is my hope that you will realize that while a few small
businessmen may be inconvenienced by a decision
to pass this strengthened ordinance, it will also stop
the destruction of a city, not just a swimming hole.
[splash]
- NARRATOR: There is no doubt these natural resources
are being damaged.
The challenge is to control, and hopefully repair
as much of the damage as possible.
[water flowing]
In Salado a citizens group has formed to monitor the
many springs that feed the river running through town.
- CHESTER CRITCHFIELD: We are just a group of citizens who
are concerned with the quality of water in our little creek,
which is our town treasure, and our village treasure.
We don't have a town.
And so what we are doing is just to try to ride herd
on what is happening with our creek and if it should have
something go wrong we'll be right on top of it.
We have four teams which are designed to help supplement
the recording of the quality of the water in the creek
by the Texas Water Commission.
They have trained us to gather a sample each month
from four different sites.
- It'll take about four or five drops.
[indiscernible chatter]
- CHESTER: We check the water temperature.
We check the ph, or the amount of alkalinity in the water.
We check the dissolved oxygen, and the dissolved solids
or the conductivity of the water.
- Amazing.
Isn't that amazing.
- That must have been the right amount.
That ought to be clear.
- CHESTER: The monitoring here is simply to make us feel
better if we some little kids here swimming in the creek.
If we've checked it and we know that there's nothing bad
happening with the water, we can watch them
with a clear conscious.
- NARRATOR: Both citizen groups and government agencies
must take the responsibility for the future of these
natural resources.
Hamilton Pool just ten miles west of Bee Cave in
Travis County was purchased by the county in 1985.
The preserve is now managed as a natural area,
with emphasis on habitat protection and restoration.
Since its purchase, the pool has slowly begun to return to
its original, natural state.
[waterfall flowing]
[music]
- CHESTER: There's got to be some better answers.
Right now we have a lot of questions and not many people
able to answer them.
The main thing we are concerned about is just to
keep a place so that kids and the grandkids and their
friends can play in the creek.
[music]