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The San Marcos River Foundation. Preserving & Protecting the San Marcos River. The San Marcos River is considered one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems known in the southwestern United States, and great care must be taken to ensure it remains clean, clear, and flowing.
- Our Projects
San Marcos River Foundation
- About Us
www.sanmarcosriver.org
- Aquifer Protection
San Marcos River Foundation
- History
Founded in 1985. The San Marcos River Foundation was formed...
- Water Quality Monitoring
As the oldest and one of the largest monitoring groups in...
- Staff Members
Office: 604 West Hopkins Street, San Marcos, Texas 78666....
- Invasive Species Removal
Invasive Species Removal. Restoring degraded or eroding...
- Parks & Greenspaces
Parks & Greenspaces. For the last decade, as development and...
- Our Projects
San Marcos River Flowing from the Edwards Aquifer and forming Spring Lake, the 200 San Marcos springs are the second largest group of springs in Texas. The springs feed the San Marcos River, which merges with the Blanco River and flows southward for 75 miles before joining the Guadalupe River.
May 14, 2024 · San Marcos River Foundation. Non-Profit Organizations. PO Box 1393 virginia@sanmarcosriver.org San Marcos TX 78667. (210) 860-4575. Visit Website. About Us. The San Marcos River Foundation (SMRF) is a non-profit which was created in 1985 to protect and preserve the quality and quantity of the San Marcos River.
- Overview
- Recreation and Access
- Featured Runs
- Natural Features
- Conservation and Threats
- Historical and Cultural Significance
- Fishing
- Additional Resources
The San Marcos River begins at the bottom of historic Spring Lake on the campus of Texas State University and Meadows Center for Water & the Environment. Average flow at the headwaters (once known as the Aquarena Springs or Spring Lake) is 130 cubic feet per second and flows at a constant temperature of 72oF. Issuing forth from the Edwards Aquifer,...
The San Marcos River is a favorite place for Texans to paddle because it is fun to paddle for all experience levels, year around. Often, when Hill Country rivers are too low to paddle, the San Marcos provides good flows for paddling.There are numerous access points for put-ins and take-outs, making San Marcos River trips more accessible than many o...
Descriptions and Paddling Trails
1. Rio Vista Falls to Spring Lake Dam and Return[1.2 miles, 1 hour round trip] 2. City Park to Westerfield Crossing – Scout Camp[4.8-6.0 miles, 3-6 hours] 3. Video: San Marcos River Retreat to Scull’s Crossing[3 miles, 2 hours, 163 cfs] 4. Video: San Marcos River Retreat to Shady Grove Campground[6 miles, 3 hours] 5. Luling Zedler Mill Paddling Trail[6.1 miles, 3 hours]
Launch Site Maps
San Marcos River Retreat (Scout Camp) to Staples[11 miles, 6 hours] San Marcos River Retreat (Scout Camp) to Sculls Crossing[3 miles, 2 hours] Sculls Crossing to Shady Grove Campground / Spencer’s[1.8 miles] Shady Grove Campground to Staples[5 miles, 3 hours]
Tube Trips
1. City Park to Rio Vista Dam [1 mile, 1 hour] 2. County Rd. 101 to San Marcos River Retreat [1 mile, 1 hour] 3. Leave No Trace
The water quality in the San Marcos River is generally very good, running clean and clear most of the time, but becoming more turbid as you move downstream. It can become muddy after recent local rainfall, and may become cluttered with debris when flooding. The San Marcos River has a tree canopy rich in riparian, aquatic and avian life. Bald cypres...
The San Marcos sadly has become host to many invasive species, both flora and fauna. The Invasive Suckermouth Armored Catfish (SAC) Hypostomus plecostomus is one that seems to have come right out o...Among the Endangered or threatened species found in the Upper San Marcos, the Texas Blind Salamander and Texas Wild riceare but two of eight that are known.San Marcos River Foundation SMRF was established in 1985 to protect public access and preserve the San Marcos River, focusing on protecting the flow from aquifer-fed springs, improving the water qu...The springs were dammed 150 years ago, creating an underwater archeological preserve. Known as the “”River of the Innocents”” to the Spanish monks who were among the first Anglos to spy her, the San Marcos is one of the largest spring-fed rivers in Texas.
With constant flows and temperatures, the San Marcos rivals any bass fishery in the Hill Country. You will find Guadalupe, Smallmouth, Largemouth Bass, a large variety of Sunfishes and Rio Grande Cichlid. The San Marcos is home to several state records for Longear, Redbreasted Sunfishes and Guadalupe Bass. Don’t be too surprised if you catch an exo...
San Marcos River Foundation, San Marcos, Texas. 6,042 likes · 96 talking about this. Founded in 1985 to preserve and protect the quality and quantity of the San Marcos River.
