The Headwaters at the Comal is shifting into high gear, with construction now underway on the final phase of a multimillion-dollar expansion that will transform 16 acres at the springs into an interpretive education and conservation campus. Phase 3 construction began in February 2026 and is scheduled to finish in early 2027. Even with crews on site, the nonprofit says tours, camps and other educational programs will keep running.
Budgeted at $10.9 million, Phase 3 is designed as the centerpiece of the project. It will feature a large-scale, walk-through model of the Edwards Aquifer, surrounded by a courtyard with sail-like shade elements, rain chains, constructed wetland cells and a closed-loop wastewater system that shows how aquifer recharge works, Headwaters Managing Director Nancy Pappas told Community Impact. According to the outlet, work on Phase 2 is wrapping up as crews pivot to the new construction.
Phase 2 Upgrades and Site Access
Phase 2 focused on adaptive reuse and low-impact design. Existing buildings on the site have been converted into classrooms, meeting areas and exhibit space, with native landscaping restored around the springs to better reflect the original Hill Country environment.
State project filings describe a permeable-paver parking area planned across Klingemann Street that is intended to capture and treat stormwater before it flows into Blieders Creek and the Comal River, in line with the campus-wide strategy to handle runoff on site. Throughout the work, the Headwaters organization notes that it continues to host guided tours, educational programs and community events. Visitors are encouraged to check the nonprofit’s website for the latest registration details and construction updates before heading over.
Funding and Approvals
The multi-phase expansion is funded by private donors, New Braunfels Utilities, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and local economic development sources. In 2025 the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation approved an additional $2.3 million to address rising costs tied to unexpected archaeological discoveries, the San Antonio Express-News reported.
New Braunfels Utilities’ board has also approved a guaranteed-maximum-price amendment for Phase 3. That procedural step is intended to lock in contractors, control construction expenses and keep the final phase on schedule, with the goal of holding to the early 2027 completion timeline.
Why the Project Matters
The Headwaters campus sits at the uppermost Comal Springs and still includes an operating water-treatment plant that supplies New Braunfels. That setup makes the site a built-in classroom for how recharge, water quality and land use decisions affect downstream communities and sensitive habitats, according to the Headwaters organization.
The Edwards Aquifer is the primary groundwater source for the region and supports spring-dependent aquatic species that are often listed as endangered. Agencies and researchers emphasize that protecting recharge zones and limiting pollutants at the headwaters is critical for long-term water security and biodiversity. For background on the aquifer and its ecological role, see the Edwards Aquifer Authority and national research on Edwards Aquifer habitat.
Visitor Notes
Headwaters at the Comal is located at 333 E. Klingemann St. in New Braunfels. The nonprofit posts current hours and program registration details, and New Braunfels Utilities lists regular guided First Saturday tours.
Anyone planning a visit during construction is advised to reserve a spot early and review the latest notices before arriving, since active work on site could affect parking, access routes or tour availability.
