Upper Colorado River Authority

06/04/2026

Have you seen our billboards?

The UCRA is working on a guidance document to assess which GI structures would best suit certain areas of Downtown San Angelo. Let’s turn Downtown into GREENtown. .

If you see any areas of downtown that could use more green, snap a photo and tag us. Use the hashtag to help us build a portfolio of spaces in need of green! Visit our webpage for more information on our current project: ucratx.org/green-infrastructure. This project is funded by EPA and managed by the TCEQ.

Information source: epa.gov/nutrientpollution

06/03/2026

Elm Creek on the Colorado River, Texas

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus, along with low flow, can cause an overgrowth of algae in a short period of time, aka: algae blooms. The overgrowth of algae consumes oxygen and blocks sunlight from underwater plants. When the algae eventually dies, the oxygen in the water is consumed. The lack of oxygen makes it impossible for aquatic life to survive. The Colorado River and its tributaries like the Concho, are susceptible to nutrient build up that can result in algae blooms like these.

The UCRA is working on a guidance document to assess which GI structures would best suit certain areas of Downtown San Angelo. Let’s turn Downtown into GREENtown. .

If you see any areas of downtown that could use more green, snap a photo and tag us. Use the hashtag to help us build a portfolio of spaces in need of green! Visit our webpage for more information on our current project: ucratx.org/green-infrastructure. This project is funded by EPA and managed by the TCEQ.

Information source: epa.gov/nutrientpollution

waterquality protectpreserveenhance

06/02/2026

West Texas is HOT.

“Heat islands” occur when cities replace natural land cover with dense concentrations of pavement, buildings, and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat. The heat island effect increases energy costs (e.g., for air conditioning), air pollution levels, and heat-related illness and mortality. Extreme heat events often affect certain populations first, with factors like age, race, income, and location playing a role in who is most at risk from extreme heat. By adding natural surfaces like vegetation back into communities, green infrastructure can mitigate the heat island effect and provide cooling.

Trees, green roofs, and vegetation can help reduce heat island effects by shading building surfaces, deflecting radiation from the sun, and releasing moisture into the atmosphere.

The UCRA is working on a guidance document to assess which GI structures would best suit certain areas of Downtown San Angelo. Let’s turn Downtown into GREENtown. .

If you see any areas of downtown that could use more green, snap a photo and tag us. Use the hashtag to help us build a portfolio of spaces in need of green! Visit our webpage for more information on our current project: ucratx.org/green-infrastructure. This project is funded by EPA and managed by the TCEQ.

Infographic source: epa.gov/heatislands

waterquality protectpreserveenhance

04/17/2026

What can green infrastructure (GI) do for you?

GI helps manage stormwater while providing environmental, social, and economic benefits to the community:
Improves water quality
Reduces flooding & potential damages from flooding
Creates habitats for animals and insects
Enhances aesthetics of the community

The UCRA is working on a guidance document to assess which GI structures would best suit certain areas of Downtown San Angelo. Let’s turn Downtown into GREENtown. .

If you see any areas of downtown that could use more green, snap a photo and tag us. Use the hashtag to help us build a portfolio of spaces in need of green! Visit our webpage for more information on our current project: ucratx.org/green-infrastructure. This project is funded by EPA and managed by the TCEQ.

Infographic source: epa.gov/green-infrastructure

03/27/2026

Have you ever wondered what these things are?

Silt logs are heaps of natural material that catch sediment and trash and stop it from washing into our stormwater drainage (and river). They are a nature-based management strategy that helps reduce pollution to our waterways. Sound familiar? Yup, that’s green infrastructure.

The UCRA is working on a guidance document to assess which GI structures would best suit certain areas of Downtown San Angelo. Let’s turn Downtown into GREENtown. .

If you see any areas of downtown that could use more green, snap a photo and tag us. Use the hashtag to help us build a portfolio of spaces in need of green! Visit our webpage for more information on our current project: ucratx.org/green-infrastructure. This project is funded by EPA and managed by the TCEQ.

03/25/2026

Stormwater can carry loose trash and excess nutrients to the river. Too many nutrients cause imbalance in an aquatic environment leading to fish kills, algal blooms, and bacterial growth.

The UCRA is working on a guidance document to assess which GI structures would best suit certain areas of Downtown San Angelo. Let’s turn Downtown into GREENtown.

If you see any areas of downtown that could use more green, snap a photo and tag us. Use the hashtag to help us build a portfolio of spaces in need of green! Visit our webpage for more information on our current project: ucratx.org/green-infrastructure. This project is funded by EPA and managed by the TCEQ.

03/09/2026

What is Green Infrastructure?

The simple answer is “nature-based stormwater management.” But what does that even mean? Green Infrastructure (GI) is any management strategy that uses systems commonly found in nature to treat and soak up rainwater where it falls or washes into. Here’s a few examples of GI in urban spaces.

The UCRA is working on a guidance document to assess which GI structures would best suit certain areas of Downtown San Angelo. Let’s turn downtown into GREENtown.

If you see any areas of downtown that could use more green, snap a photo and tag us. Use the hashtag to help us build a portfolio of spaces in need of green! Visit our webpage for more information on our current project: ucratx.org/green-infrastructure. This project is funded by EPA and managed by the TCEQ.

Source: https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/types-green-infrastructure

02/15/2026

We are now accepting applications for our Summer 2026 Environmental Internship Program! There is one position available.

We are so grateful for the interns we’ve had in past summers. They have helped shape the program into an amazing, hands on experience for young professionals. Thank you!

Application period will be open until April 15th.

For more info on eligibility and to apply online, visit ucratx.org. Direct link in bio.

11/25/2025

Lots of water after the latest thunderstorm. Video taken during routine monitoring 11/24/25.

For more information on discharge monitoring, head to waterdata.usgs.gov

11/19/2025