Current Happenings
Let it rain, let it rain...
Dear BurRanch Members, as you can see our water level is at an all time low. We are all hoping for increased flows in our river but in the mean time, please be aware of potential hazards. The following are links to some of the most common water borne hazards;
Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba (also known as brain eating amoeba). Infection is rare and typically occurs when people go swimming or diving in warm freshwater, especially stagnant warmer water. Fatality rate is 97%.
E. coli is a bacteria that can cause sickness. E. coli is in n poop from both animals and humans and can end up in all types of water sources including ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, and wells water supplies that have not been disinfected. If you swallow contaminated water, you could get sick. Low water and no flows increase concentrations. E. coli threshold for primary contact recreation in Texas is 126 per 100 mL. “Even where the concentration of indicator bacteria is less than the criteria..there is still some risk of contracting waterborne diseases.”
Probably also useful to know some information about snakes as well. This is from TPWD:
Taking care or our Paradise
Rainwater Harvesting
Water is precious out here in the Texas Hill Country. With our mix of long dry spells and sudden downpours, our water supply can get stretched pretty thin. That’s why many of us are looking at simple, practical ways to take some pressure off our wells . One of the best options—both for reliability and for the land we love—is rainwater harvesting.
Rainwater is naturally clean and soft, which means it’s gentle on dishes, plumbing, clothes, and even your hair. Our groundwater, besides being limited, can be pretty hard and sometimes doesn’t taste or smell the way we’d like. Rainwater really is a noticeable upgrade.
A well‑planned rainwater system can give you clear, safe water for drinking, household use, or just keeping your plants and trees happy. And because these systems capture water so efficiently, even a light shower can make a surprising difference in your storage tanks. Most of the expense is upfront—mainly installation—but after that it’s just routine maintenance.
Another nice thing is that rainwater harvesting uses very little energy compared to pumping groundwater. The setup is simple: rain falls on your roof, runs through a filter, and collects in a tank. To give you an idea of how much that adds up, just one inch of rain on a 2,000‑square‑foot roof can yield over 1,000 gallons of water. You can learn more about this and local providers at https://hillcountryalliance.org/our-work/water-resources/rainwater-harvesting/
“The stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas.”
Our beautiful river park is worth preserving - and that includes keeping our sky dark. We know that many of you are new to our community and we want you to enjoy the Dark Skies . There are many resources to help you secure your property and respect your neighbors and community. https://hillcountryalliance.org/our-work/night-skies/
Quick Homeowner Checklist
Before installing any outdoor light, ask:
- Is it fully shielded? Pointing downward!
- Is it only as bright as necessary?
- Is it on a timer or motion sensor?Turn them off when you go to bed.
- Does it avoid shining onto neighbors or the sky? Shine the light towards your home and not others or the sky.
If the answer to all is yes, you’re in good shape.
Security
As many of you know, the security of the park is one of the biggest challenges the board of trustees faces every year. It's a beautiful park in a beautiful neighborhood and most of our members and residents are fantastically supportive and protective of the park. But its beauty is a draw for the rowdy few too - and sadly, they break our lock and chain and gate several times each summer.
You can help by locking the gate each time you drive by and see it open, and every time you use the park yourself. You can help by calling the sheriff's office any time you see vandals or trespassers.
Restoration
Repairing our river
Volunteers planted 162 seedlings of Emory Sedge, White Top Sedge, and Spike Rush along the cut bank to prevent further erosion. While doing this, we found many of these plants already growing in abundance in several areas; so we are confident nature is helping with our restoration efforts! The riparian grass seed planted in the winter ha
Volunteers planted 162 seedlings of Emory Sedge, White Top Sedge, and Spike Rush along the cut bank to prevent further erosion. While doing this, we found many of these plants already growing in abundance in several areas; so we are confident nature is helping with our restoration efforts! The riparian grass seed planted in the winter has also come up farther up the bank, which will help to protect the raw cliff face from future flood waters. We were especially encouraged to find that 13 of the cypress tree saplings we planted over the winter are alive and doing well. Please use only designated river access points and take care to keep children and pets off of the sensitive river bank where these newly planted trees and sedges are growing.
Please remember that our park is an environmentally sensitive riparian area. Do not take it upon yourself to cut grass or fallen trees, or to plant trees or other vegetation in the park area without board approval. We have an ongoing, deliberate restoration plan underway—unapproved efforts may cause unintentional harm. Contact the board with your ideas, or if you’re interested in volunteering, in order to coordinate with our planning and efforts. We would love your help!