Blumenthal Creek flows into the Pedernales River Just north of US Hwy 290E near Jung Lane.
The following images were taken on May 1, 2021. On May 1, 2021, rainfall recorded in the area just east of South Grape Creek and Highway 290E, recorded 1″approx of rainfall. In the following 24 hours, 2.69″ were recorded. No rainfall amount was recorded for the area near South Grape Creek and Highway 290E or around the Luckenbach area. One area directly west and south near Hwy 87S reported 4.10″ unofficially supporting verbal reports of higher local rainfall in the South Grape Creek area. (See CoCoRaHS)
The addition of treated waste water from large proposed developments in the area near US Hwy 290E at Luckenbach Road to Blumenthal Creek will result in uncontrollable flooding to surrounding agricultural land and residential properties during normal rainfall events. Rainfall events greater than 3″ could prove disastrous.
As you view these images, imagine the amount of water residents and businesses in these areas will be faced with when the next 5-10″ rainfall occurs.
An overwhelmed drainage system resulted in flooded and eroded streets.
Runoff backed up and created a build up of standing water.
This video shows the runoff at the drainage culvert at Hwy 290E on Blumenthal Creek near Jung Lane, on May 1, 2021.
Runoff comes from the seasonal Blumenthal Creek which flows through Chapparal Village, Gillespie County drainage ditches, surrounding land and roadway.
Sediment is considered a pollutant. The water rushing to the culvert is laden with sediment. In addition to sediment, the runoff likely includes fertilizer from lawns and agricultural areas as well as debris and oil-based pollutants from roadway runoff.
This powerful flow, laden with sediment and other pollutants, went immediately into the Pedernales River.
Despite the water flowing quickly to the culvert, the flow was so great at the culvert that water flowing from the dry creek bed in the neighboring community along Woodlands Dr. backed up and overflowed the banks of the creek. As indicated in the image below, that water came very close to this house.
