The soil, rainfall and terrain changes dramatically from the eastern part of Texas as well as from the north to the south.  The average rainfall declines gradually from east to west, but the soil changes abruptly from blackland to caliche after crossing Interstate 35 to the west.

The availability of water is of primary concern.  Wells in the area must be placed into the Trinity Aquifer, some 950 feet down.  Oftentimes this water is sulfurous and is always hard with dissolved calcium. Whereas the water for cities in the area comes from Canyon Lake, water for rural households such as Bridlewood Ranches must come from either a drilled well, or from rainwater collection.  Many homes in Bridlewood employ rainwater catchment and purification for the entire house and some irrigation. Irrigation is referred to as “some” irrigation because having  large lawns requiring a lot of water is generally not practical.

Land that is poor in nutrients, hilly, rocky and often covered with Ashe Juniper requires special care in order to avoid depletion of the soil due to erosion and to avoid the unnecessary destruction of wildlife habitat. Clearing land with heavy equipment often destroys, unknowingly, many native plants.  Native plant references are abundant on the web.

The limestone ledges often contain “karsts”, which are crevices and holes where surface water from rain percolates into underground water layers which ultimately show up as springs such as the springs of San Marcos and Jacobs Well.  For this reason, storm water runoff, containing pollutants is of serious concern.  It is for this reason that Bridlewood Ranches Deed Restrictions require aerobic septic systems, the licensing of which is provided by Hays County Development Services.

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