⭐️ Visitor Review ⭐️
“Awesome experience! Got to see the scuba divers in the water too! Trace did an awesome job as a tour guide on our glass-bottom boat. A must see in San Marcos!”
Thank you for the 5-star Google review, Fernando Moreno! 💙 Stop by for a tour, and if you’re lucky, you may spot one of our underwater gardeners in action. 😉🤿🌱
📸: @mattmoe1
In honor of #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, our May Family Fun Day is all about “Well-derness in Motion!” At #MC4Water, we know wellness starts outside!
On May 23, kick off the day with a FREE, family-friendly yoga session at 11AM on the Headwaters Lawn. Bring a towel or mat, and come ready to move, breathe, and connect with nature!
Then stick around for outdoor crafts, games, and hands-on activities the whole family can enjoy.
Saturday, May 23 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Headwaters Lawn at Spring Lake
Bring the kids and join the fun! 💚
What’s trending in the Texas One Water Hub? This week, we’re highlighting @austin_water ’s case study on the @accdistrict Highland Campus, where an aging mall was transformed into a model for water sustainability.
The project uses a 680,000-gallon cistern beneath the parking garage to capture rainwater + A/C condensate, then treats, stores, and reuses that water to irrigate nearby green space. That means an estimated 1.8 million gallons of potable water saved each year! Explore the full case study on the Hub through the link in our bio.
📣 Have a One Water resource others could learn from? Click the link in our bio to contribute and help grow the Texas water knowledge base! 💦
Did you know that May is National Travel and Tourism month in San Marcos?
Discover the wonder of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment — where crystal-clear springs, glass-bottom boat tours, and the beauty of the San Marcos River connect visitors to the natural treasures that make San Marcos unforgettable.
This May, we’re proud to welcome travelers, students, families, and nature lovers to experience conservation, education, and adventure together.
We are so grateful to be a part of this why makes San Marcos so special! From locals to visitors, it all starts here, in the heart of the Texas Hill Country! 💧
📸 SPOTTED: Nine-Banded Armadillo!
Armadillo means “little armored one” in Spanish, a perfect fit for these unique, shell-covered mammals! The nine-banded armadillo is the only armadillo species commonly found in the US, and Texas is one of its main stomping grounds! Armadillos like to stick closer to the equator, where there’s loose soil they can dig into, and a warmer climate to support their low body heat.
Comparable in size to a cat, nine-banded armadillos have bodies that are 15-17 inches long with tails that are 14-16 inches long! They weigh about 8-17lbs and are typically a mixture of gray and brown. 90% of their diet consists of invertebrates like beetles, ants, termites, and worms. Due to their low metabolism, ‘dillos forage for food daily.
These little armored ones also love moist environments, so you can find them near water like streams and ponds, even swimming at the bottom! They’re good swimmers and can hold their breath for up to six minutes! When they’re not digging, foraging, or swimming, they may be taking a nap since they sleep 16 hours a day.
As with all wildlife, admire them from a distance and avoid handling them.
💬 🐝 Drop an insect emoji in the comments if you’re as charmed by these little armored Texans as we are!
🌟 Visitor Review🌟
“From Chicago, just moved to Austin. First time at the Meadows Center at Texas State. We wanted to check out the glass-bottom boats, and we were not disappointed! Our guide was knowledgeable, funny, and passionate—great combo!
About a dozen people on our tour boat, from toddlers to 60's. Everyone enjoyed the experience. Boat was covered, so it felt cool enough on the water even on a warm spring day.
Highly recommended!”
Thank you for the 5-star @yelp review, Tim A! 💙 Plan your visit through the link in our bio!
Experience Spring Lake in a way most visitors never do! Join us on a guided snorkel, kayak, or SUP tour and discover the San Marcos Springs from a whole new perspective. Tours fill quickly — reserve your spot at the link in bio!
🐢 Spring Lake science, decades in the making! A newly published study led by Dr. Francis Rose, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biology at Texas State University, draws on nearly three decades of turtle research at Spring Lake.
From 1995 to 2022, researchers studied Texas River Cooters at Spring Lake and marked more than 2,200 individuals. The big takeaway? Once these turtles reach adult size, they basically stop growing.
Adult turtles captured at least 10 years apart changed by less than 2 mm in shell length on average…that’s roughly the thickness of a nickel over 10+ years!
The study challenges the idea that all freshwater turtles continue to grow throughout their lives and highlights the value of long-term research in protected places like Spring Lake. 🌿
Tap through for a few quick takeaways from the study!
Earth Day San Marcos 2026 rocked our world! Thank you to everyone that weathered the high winds to attend!
We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and volunteers, as this festival wouldn’t have been possible without you.
To our amazing vendors and musicians—thank you for filling the day with engageing experiences, creativity, and joy.
Let’s keep the spirit of Earth Day going—protecting our planet, local environment and supporting one another!🌱🌎 #mc4waterearthday
May the 4th be with you…from the dark side of Spring Lake!
Meet the Texas blind salamander (Eurycea rathbuni), an endangered species that lives deep within the Edwards Aquifer. With no eyes and ghostly white coloring, it’s perfectly built for life in total darkness.
And don’t let the lack of eyesight fool you! This little predator is strong with the Force, using water pressure waves to hunt snails, shrimp, and other aquatic creatures.
They rely on clean, consistent spring flow to survive. Protecting the Edwards Aquifer is the only way to ensure their galaxy stays safe.
📍 Come meet them (and their aquatic allies) in our Discovery Hall!
#MayThe4thBeWithYou #StarWarsDay #EdwardsAquifer
⭐️ Visitor Review ⭐️
“I’ve visited three times already, and each tour guide gave my party and me a wonderful glass-bottom boat tour full of interesting information about the San Marcos River and local wildlife. Will be returning soon!”
Thank you for the 5-star @google review, Andrew! 💙
Plan your visit via the link in our bio!
💧 We’ve been nominated! #MC4Water's glass-bottom boat tours are in the running for USA TODAY @10best Readers’ Choice Awards – Best Glass-bottom Boat Tour, and we’re currently ranked #3!! 🎉
If you’ve enjoyed a visit to Spring Lake, we’d appreciate your vote!
👉 Vote at the link in our bio (You can vote once per day through 5/25!)
