 According to the United States Census Bureau, New Braunfels has a total area of , of which is land and , or 0.91%, is covered by water.The city is situated along the Balcones Fault, where the Texas Hill Country meets rolling prairie land.Along the fault in the city, a string of artesian springs known as Comal Springs gives rise to the Comal River, which is known as one of the shortest rivers in the world, as it winds through the city before meeting the Guadalupe River.