Economic value of soil water enhancement from brush removal on the Pedernales Watershed

The impacts of brush encroachment, specifically Ashe juniper, in Texas are not only detrimental to rangeland productivity but also have been noted to absorb large amounts of water, desperately needed by municipalities across Texas. Recently, the Texas government allocated $37 million dollars for a state cost share brush control project with the intention of increasing water yields from various watersheds. The Pedernales Watershed was allocated funds for brush control in an effort to increase water in the Pedernales River, a major tributary and source of water for Lake Travis and the surrounding Austin community. The objective of this study was to determine the economic gains and cost, through a Net Present Value analysis, incurred by the landowner as a result of investing in the cost share brush control program. Profitability analyses were determined through gains of increased herbage production using a cow-calf operation. Additionally, increases in water yield were determined through soil water content measurements allowing for conclusions to be made about increased soil moisture infiltration. Profitability results indicate that the investment is not a wise investment based on negative net present values. Monthly water content results indicate that there were minor changes in soil moisture infiltration.