After the Flood: Doeskin Ranch Recovers
After the Flood: Doeskin Ranch Recovers
On July 4, record-breaking rains brought heartbreak and destruction to the Texas Hill Country. More than 20 inches of water fell. Communities across Central Texas mourned lives lost and homes swept away.
The refuge was not spared, Post Oak Creek, Cow Creek, and the creek that winds across Doeskin Ranch at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge were all affected. Floodwaters tore through Doeskin Ranch, washing out roads, bridges, and beloved trails. Creek beds filled with massive tangles of debris. For safety, Doeskin closed immediately.
Teamwork
Thanks to swift teamwork-----including help from the Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery—refuge staff spent weeks clearing rock and re-grading the Creek, Rimrock, and Indiangrass Trails. The Creek Trail alone had been scoured bare when the swollen creek jumped its banks.
By August 22, Doeskin Ranch reopened with new trail signage and fresh footing. Fall wildflowers now carpet the hills, and flame-leaf sumac blazes red against the limestone.
Recovery
Thanks to swift teamwork-----including help from the Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery—refuge staff spent weeks clearing rock and re-grading the Creek, Rimrock, and Indiangrass Trails. The Creek Trail alone had been scoured bare when the swollen creek jumped its banks.
By August 22, Doeskin Ranch reopened with new trail signage and fresh footing. Fall wildflowers now carpet the hills, and flame-leaf sumac blazes red against the limestone.
Doeskin Trail
Nature Continues
Nature continues to reshape this landscape. When you visit today, you can compare what you see with 360-degree photos taken last spring—check out this virtual hike before you go to Doeskin in this link to Virtual Trail Walk. Use those photos and your observations to watch how the trails and creek corridor evolve as vegetation regrows and the land heals.
Work continues on the Post Oak Creek Trail, where floodwaters carved deep channels and left mountains of sand. Volunteers and staff will spend the coming months finishing repairs and tending trails across the refuge.
Want to help the recovery? The volunteer trail crew meets the second Saturday of each month, with extra workdays planned for Doeskin and Post Oak. Contact
Stephanie_Jones@fws.gov to join.
Please Note: Trailhead Maintenance and all volunteer activity are on hold due to the Federal Government shut down. We look forward to when we can get back to work with help from our dedicated volunteers.
Looking Ahead
You can help complete the work to restore trails. Join as a volunteer or become member of Friends of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge to support Trail repairs, Youth programs, Research and Monitoring and Free programs like the Guided Hikes.
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