Comal Springs, another stop for the Great Springs Project

See related article: Last stop for the Great Springs trail: the Blue Hole in SA

It can be hoped that the water will be flowing again from the largest spring in the southwest United States when the Great Springs Project trail is built. Comal Springs, lies in New Braunfels' Landa Park, a city venue that provides a variety of recreational resources just located west of the historic town's Main Plaza. During November, it is home of the well-noted Wurstfest, a festival that commemorates the town's German heritage. New Braunfels was founded in 1845 by Prince Carl of Solms Germany when he and hundreds of others arrived there from Solms-Braunfels, Germany, a Hessen community located about 40 miles (66 km) north of Frankfurt am Main.

Due to drought, it's a dry hole, serving as a reminder of those glorious days when clear water flowed from the Edwards Aquifer. On 20 Apr 1977, output was recorded as 550 cubit feet (15.5 cubic meters) per second. That equated to 355,608,000 gallons (1,346,122,712 liters) a day. It can only be hoped that the drought along with searing heat will reach an end.

The Great Springs Project

Comal Springs is one of four springs on tap to be connected by the Great Springs Project Trail. GSPT organizers aim at the year 2036, the Texas Republic bi-centennial, to build the trail that runs between Austin and San Antonio via New Braunfels and San Marcos. Austin, San Marcos, and San Antonio are home to Barton Springs, San Marcos Springs, and Blue Hole, respectively. The organization must obtain right-aways and funding to make this massive effort a reality.

Their website is greatspringsproject.org/.

—SRR Features