To some people the trickle of hillside water near June Hill Pape Memorial Riverwalk may not seem like anything to get excited about.
In fact, with most of the water source covered up by vegetation it’s easier to hear the trickle than to figure out exactly where it is.
But Steve Box, a member of Bastrop’s non-profit Environmental Stewardship organization, brought his enthusiasm for remaking part of the underground-fed spring into a tiered waterfall to the Bastrop City Council on Tuesday during their regular session.
Roy Mann, an Austin environmental planner who is working with Box, joined in the presentation.
“I realized we had a spring right here in Bastrop for people to see, although most people probably thought it was a water leak,” Box said. The site is at the bottom of the long stairs leading down from The Crossing to the riverwalk and few yards from the Colorado River, into which it empties.
“Here is an educational opportunity to better understand that we have a spring emerging from the ground and it has a relation to the Colorado River,” Box said. “The health of springs is indicator of how healthy our groundwater system is.”

Initial project
The project has the long title of Restoration of Bastrop Springs and Interpretation of the Springs and Groundwater of Bastrop County.
Box said a support group had already been formed – The Bastrop Springs Stakeholder Group.
“We could have a series of small waterfalls, take water from the Colorado River and return it there,” Box told the council.
The rendering Box and Mann showed the council had a see-through acrylic portion of the sidewalk, so walkers could still see the water when it flows under the sidewalk.
Box said the waterfalls would be a spot for people to stop and rest along one or more scenic areas of the riverwalk.
Besides featuring the spring, there could be an information panel at the top of the stairs to educate the public about the aquifer and the cultural history of the watershed.
“We could also expand the picnic area at the top of the stairs,” Box said.
He was referring to the area that is currently a parking lot between Wells Fargo Bank and The Crossing, but also has a few benches near the ornate fence at the top of the embankment leading down to the river.
Box told the council the spring doesn’t have much of a flow, but it could still work as waterfalls.
“It’s a marginal flow, about two and a half to three gallons per minute,” Box said.
Council member Joe Beal suggested consulting with LCRA to see if they would like to get involved with the project, if only to give some advice.
Mayor Terry Orr said he like the idea of a tiered waterfalls
“In my travels to Japan I’ve found it very nice to sit next to reflective ponds,” Orr said.
Box said he plans to talk to other civic groups and area organizations and seek funding sources.
The council was also enthusiastic about the idea and invited Box back when plans get further developed.