View source for Comal Springs (Texas)

{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox spring
 |name=Comal Springs
 |image= Comal springs 2007.jpg
 |image_caption=The largest of the Comal Springs form the headwaters of the Comal River.
 |type=Karst spring
 |location=[[New Braunfels, Texas|New Braunfels]], [[Texas]], US
 |coordinates = {{coord|29.7164|-98.1336|type:landmark_region:US|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
 |spring_source=[[Edwards Aquifer]]
 |provides=[[Comal River]]
 |discharge= {{convert|318|ft3/s|L/s}}
 |magnitude=1
 |elevation= {{convert|620|ft|m}} above [[sea level]]
}}

'''Comal Springs''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|oʊ|m|æ|l}} {{respell|KOH|mal}}) are the largest concentration of naturally occurring freshwater springs in [[Texas]]. They are located in the city of [[New Braunfels, Texas|New Braunfels]] and are the result of water percolating through the [[Edwards Aquifer]] formation.

==History==
The springs were historically a magnet for the indigenous population of the region, often [[Tonkawa]]s. The first [[Spain|Spanish]] explorer to visit the springs was Damián Massanet in 1691. The site was later home to a Spanish mission. Spanish settlers eventually called the site "Las Fontanas".<ref>''Handbook of Texas''. 2008</ref>  The area has been home to a mixture of recreational and commercial endeavors, including Landa Park.

==Geology and natural history==
The Comal Springs are fed by the [[Edwards Aquifer]], a large [[Karst topography|karst]] [[aquifer]] that runs through most of central Texas. The aquifer consists of porous, water-bearing [[limestone]] features which channel rainfall and [[surface runoff]] from the aquifer's recharge zone down to various discharge zones, including the springs.

The Comal Springs are home to a variety of unique plant and animal life. One notable example is the [[fountain darter]] (''Etheostoma fonticola''). In addition to the association of groundwater availability with this locale along the [[Balcones Fault]], the area is also considered an ecological dividing line for occurrence of some species; for example, the [[California Fan Palm]], ''[[Washingtonia filifera]]'' occurs only at or west of Comal Springs, i.e. Balcones Fault zone.<ref>C. Michael Hogan. 2009</ref>

==See also==
* [[Comal River]]
*[[Guadalupe River (Texas)|Guadelupe River]]

==References==
* Gunnar Brune. 1981. ''Springs of Texas'', Vol. 1, Fort Worth: Branch-Smith
* C. Michael Hogan. 2009. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090930184850/http://globaltwitcher.auderis.se/artspec_information.asp?thingid=90942 ''California Fan Palm: Washingtonia filifera'', GlobalTwitcher.com, ed. Nicklas Stromberg]
* {{Handbook of Texas|id=rpc02|name=Comal Springs}}. 2008

==Line notes==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.edwardsaquifer.org Edwards Aquifer Authority]
* [http://www.edwardsaquifer.net/comal.html Edwards Aquifer: Comal Springs]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdtDWwl-HXI Detailed video tour Comal Springs] Detailed video and narration of Comal Springs on YouTube.com

{{Texas}}

[[Category:Rivers of Comal County, Texas]]
[[Category:New Braunfels, Texas]]
[[Category:Springs of Texas]]