28 Miles south of Austin, located on the Balcones Fault, a fracture in the earth's crust, that formed the San Marcos springs and river millions of years ago the amazing San Marcos Springs discharge 150-300 million gallons of water daily. Texas State University - San Marcos purchased the aging Aquarena Springs Resort in 1994 and began transforming the old theme park into a non-profit nature center. Today Aquarena Center is an environmental learning center dedicated to protecting, conserving and educating the public on the important role that water plays in everyone's daily life.