SAN MARCOS, Texas – Stone by stone, Ed Oborny, in full scuba gear, sifts through the bottom of the San Marcos River.
"I’m turning rocks, slowly turning rocks and counting the number of salamanders under each rock,” said Oborny
On this day, the news is good. The San Marcos salamander, a threatened species, has shown up in good numbers, young and old.
"The two things I’m looking for are: “How many are we finding? and ‘Are we finding a full range of size classes?’” said Oborny.
While meticulous, Oborny admitted his job is still plenty of fun.
"It’s an 80-degree, beautiful day and we're in the water,” Oborny said.
Oborny is an expert in aquatic ecology and endangered species for Bio-West and has been doing counts like this for decades. This count is one of two that will be conducted this year for the Edwards Aquifer Authority. As part of the Habitat Conservation Plan, which was handed down by the federal government years ago, endangered and threatened species must be protected and their populations counted.
"It’s an indication of the health of this system and if the salamander's doing well, this system's doing well,” said Oborny.
In other words, if the San Marcos salamander is doing well, then the Edwards Aquifer springs are likely healthy area wide. As a result, the water quality and quantity is good for everyone who lives above and uses the aquifer.
"The system is much larger than just what is in Bexar County,” said EAA spokesperson Terri Herbold.
The count takes close to a week to complete and also includes processes like drop netting.
Near City Park in San Marcos, Oborny and a team of men from Bio-West, later searched small drop nets used to count wildlife.
In this case, they are searching for an endangered species called the fountain darter, a small fish that takes sifting through plant life to find.
“The fountain darter evolved in this system, so he is unique to the Edwards Aquifer system,” explained Herbold.
"If you startle him, he'll dart,” said Oborny after a fountain darter was discovered in the net.
These fish, too, are a barometer for water health. While the ecosystem can be altered by people, drought and flood, the findings of this mission indicate the environment is thriving. According to the experts, this is a good sign for all.