Ottine Dam Removal Will Benefit Fish and Wildlife in San Marcos River
The much anticipated removal of Ottine Dam is here.
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Overview
The San Marcos Aquatic Resources
Center (Center) is located
between San Antonio and
Austin, Texas on I-35 along
the Heart of Texas - East Wildlife
Trail that was developed
to provide nature enthusiasts
with potential wildlife viewing
sites.
Located near the Edwards Aquifer, a prolific artesian aquifer, the Center is involved with scientific research, including equipment and technology development, captive propagation technique development, habitat restoration, native species life history studies, and invasive species life history and control studies.
The hatchery works closely with the faculty at local Universities to provide volunteer, work, and research opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students in biology and geography.
History
The original hatchery was located near the headwaters of the San Marcos River and was the first warm water hatchery west of
the Mississippi River. The hatchery opened in the
mid-1890's and for over 60 years the hatchery mission was the production and development of efficient cultural techniques of warm water sport fishes.
The original hatchery was later donated to Texas State
University in the 1960's.
Texas State University in turn donated the 116
acres of land south of San Marcos for a new facility.
San Marcos National Fish Hatchery
and Cultural Development Center
was dedicated in 1976, and the name was later changed to San
Marcos National Fish Hatchery and
Technology Center in 1983, and to the San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center in 2012.
The Center currently works
with listed aquatic species associated with the Edwards
Aquifer and other Texas spring systems.
Throughout its history, the Center has developed and demonstrated practical techniques for fish propagation, management, and monitoring; formulated solutions to hatchery and management problems; produced fishes to meet high priority needs; and developed strategies for monitoring, protecting, and managing high priority aquatic species, with emphasis on threatened, endangered, and interjurisdictional species.
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