Environmental Flows Information System

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Analysis of Instream Flows for the Lower Brazos River - Hydrology, Hydraulics, and Fish Habitat Utilization
(Surface Water Resources Division, Texas Water Development Board, 2009-11-24T17:26:59Z) Osting, Tim; Mathews, Ray; Austin, Barney
Analysis of Instream Flows for the Sulphur River: Hydrology, Hydraulics and Fish Habitat Utilization
(Surface Water Resources Division, Texas Water Development Board, 2009-11-24T17:27:12Z) Osting, Tim; Mathews, Ray; Austin, Barney
An Annotated Checklist of the Freshwater Fishes of Texas, with Keys to Identification of Species, 2nd Edition
(Texas Academy of Science, 2009-06-26T17:57:24Z) Hubbs, Clark; Edwards, Robert J.; Garrett, Gary P.
Forty-nine families and 268 species of fishes are known to inhabit the freshwaters of Texas. We report on the distribution and status of these fishes and provide a key to their identification. Of the native fishes originally found in Texas, five taxa, Cyprinella lutrensis blairi (Maravillas red shiner), Notropis orca (phantom shiner), N. simus simus (Rio Grande bluntnose shiner), Gambusia amistadensis (Amistad gambusia) and G. georgei (San Marcos gambusia) are apparently extinct, and four, Hybognathus amarus (Rio Grande silvery minnow), Notropis simus pecosensis (Pecos bluntnose shiner), Oncorhynchus clarki virginalis (Rio Grande cutthroat trout) and Gambusia senilis (blotched gambusia) appear to be extirpated from the state. Over 40 percent of the remaining primary freshwater species are of conservation concern and in some need of protection.
Baseline Fish Collections - Lower Sabine River Priority Instream Flow Study
(Texas Water Development Board, 2009-11-24T17:06:59Z) Sabine River Authority of Texas; Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Texas Water Development Board
Priority instream flow studies under the Texas Instream Flow Program (TIFP) were selected based on potential or planned water development projects, water rights permitting issues, and other factors. A study on the lower Sabine River was prioritized1 based on the potential for water transfers within the Sabine Basin, proposed inter-basin water transfer projects, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission hydropower relicensing of the Toledo Bend Dam. The Lower Sabine River Priority Instream Flow Study was initiated in September 2004 with the Reconnaissance and Information Evaluation2 phase – the first step of a study under the TIFP. The purpose of the Reconnaissance and Information Evaluation phase, according to the TIFP Technical Overview, is to compile, review, and geo-reference available studies and data, identify historic and current conditions, identify significant issues and concerns, and conduct preliminary field surveys and analysis. During reconnaissance, the Sabine River Authority of Texas (SRA-TX) compiled a bibliography of information related to the Sabine River from the Toledo Bend Dam to the mouth of the Sabine River at the north end of Sabine Lake. Biological data compiled during reconnaissance included benthic macro-invertebrate and fish data sets from rapid bio-assessments of many of the main tributary streams of the Sabine River in Texas through a basin-wide effort that began in 1993 to characterize the biological community of the priority subwatersheds of the Sabine River Basin. Biological data has also been collected from the main stem of the river for specific studies but not as a basin-wide effort. Most main stem biological data is from a benthic macro-invertebrate monitoring contract with a local industry from 1989-1992 and from some Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) fish collection work near Anacoco Bayou in 2003. An analysis of the bibliography compiled during reconnaissance revealed a lack of recent biological data for the main stem of the lower Sabine River. In order to have a more complete biological set, a study under Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Contract No. 0604830567 between the TWDB and the SRA-TX was funded by a TWDB Research and Planning Fund Research Grant. Collections and habitat assessments were made at eight sites beginning May 2006 through September 2006 by staff from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TCEQ, TWDB, and SRATX. The magnitude of the effect of Hurricane Rita and the drought of early spring 2006 on the diversity and population of species collected has not yet been assessed. Additional sampling is proposed to mitigate any seasonal or equipment bias as well as to further assess the effects of the hurricane and the drought.
Distributional Survey and Habitat Utilization of Freshwater Mussels
(Texas Water Development Board, 2009-11-24T17:06:02Z) Karatayev, Alexander; Burlakova, Lyubov
East Texas Mussel Survey
(2009-11-25T23:08:59Z) Karatayev, Alexander; Burlakova, Lyubov
Field surveys of freshwater mussels (family Unionidae) were conducted at 49 sites in 22 waterbodies (4 rivers, 7 reservoirs, and 11 streams) within the Red, Trinity, Neches, and Sabine drainage basins using standard qualitative and quantitative methods. Depth, dominant substrates, GPS coordinates, and water chemistry were recorded at each site. Abundant and diverse mussel beds were located in the Sulphur, Angelina, and Neches rivers. These sites can be used for future monitoring. Several waterbodies were surveyed for the first time (i.e. Cooper Reservoir, Wright Patman Reservoir, Houston County Reservoir, Striker Reservoir, and lower Sabine River tributaries). Extreme rainfall and flooding in 2007 prevented successful sampling of several sites. Mussel populations in a number of waterbodies (i.e. Sulphur River, Cooper Reservoir, Houston County Reservoir, B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir, Toledo Bend Reservoir) were severely damaged during previous droughts or drawdowns. Several sites with abundant and diverse unionid assemblages were suggested for monitoring, conservation, and recovery plans. This survey will provide data necessary for successful management and conservation of unionids in East Texas rivers and reservoirs.
Existing Reservoir and Stream Management Recommendations - Statewide Minimum Streamflow Recommendations
(Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2009-11-24T17:07:43Z) Bounds, Robert L.; Lyons, Barry W.
Literature on assessing streamflow needs was reviewed. Recommendations from two of the methodologies described were combined to develop minimum flows needed to maintain Texas stream fisheries. These flows were 40 percent of the median monthly flows October-February and 60 percent March-September. To validate these flows, a field evaluation was conducted on the Guadalupe River below Canyon Reservoir. Results suggest that the above minimum flows are valid for Texas stream fisheries.
Fish Species Common to Texas Major River Basins
(Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2009-11-24T17:27:38Z) River Studies Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Species list was compiled by the TPWD - River Studies Program Personnel using Hubbs et al. (1991) and Lee et al. (1980). Feeding groups and tolerance ratings are from Linam and Kleinsasser (1998). Feeding group designations are: IF - invertivore, P - piscivore, O - omnivore, and H - herbivore. Tolerance designations are: T - tolerant, I - intolerant. Species without a tolerance designation are considered intermediate.
Freshwater inflows to Texas bays and estuaries: ecological relationships and methods for determination of needs
(Texas Water Development Board and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2009-11-24T17:28:53Z) Longley, William L., ed.
Lower San Antonio River Watershed - Instream Flows Study - Biological Collection Summary Report
(San Antonio River Authority, 2009-11-24T17:06:16Z) San Antonio River Authority - Environmental Services Division
Because of greater demands for fresh water by growing communities like San Antonio, the Texas Legislature has directed Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), in cooperation with other appropriate governmental agencies such as the San Antonio River Authority (SARA), to conduct an instream flow data collection effort. This instream flow collection effort will help determine appropriate flow and habitat conditions necessary to support a sound ecological environment for resident fish species and will help to gain a better understanding of the fish assemblage dynamics within the Lower San Antonio River (SAR) watershed. The Lower SAR watershed was selected as a priority study reach based on the potential for significant reuse of water and the uncertainty of future water development strategies. Methodologies for determining appropriate flow conditions necessary to support a sound ecological environment will also be studied. SARA field personnel have assisted the State of Texas Agency Staff with reconnaissance, sample site selection, biological and habitat sampling as well as data collection efforts throughout the Lower SAR and Lower Cibolo Creek watersheds. Evaluation of the fish community, flow measurements and habitat assessments were conducted at five sites on the Lower SAR (Loop 1604 in Bexar County, Floresville City Park in Wilson County, Conquista Crossing in Karnes County, SH 72 in Karnes County, and Riverdale Rd. in Goliad County) and three sites on the Lower Cibolo Creek (FM 539 in Wilson County, FM 537 in Wilson County and FM 389 in Karnes County). Data collected from these sampling efforts will provide much needed habitat and baseline data of the fish community composition within the lower SAR watershed. Collection methods included boat and backpack electrofishing as well as seining efforts in as many habitat types as possible. Individual biological collection efforts were segregated by habitat types from which the samples were collected. Photographs and global positioning system coordinates were recorded from the mid-point of each habitat type. Measurements were made of the average habitat depth, dominant substrate, and current velocity within each habitat type. Data collected from this effort will help to characterize current instream flow conditions within the Lower SAR watershed and will help to make future flow management recommendations needed to sustain the resident biological community and ensure an adequate water supply for the future needs of all communities within the Lower SAR watershed. The instream flow methodologies that result from this effort will influence the approach that SARA will undertake in the future concerning water related endeavors.
Regionalization of the Index of Biotic Integrity for Texas Streams
(Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2009-11-24T17:07:56Z) Linam, Gordon W.; Kleinsasser, Leroy J.; Mayes, Kevin B.
Aquatic life use designations dictate the level of protection streams receive in accordance with the surface water quality standards prepared by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. Streams can be assigned one of four aquatic life use categories (exceptional, high, intermediate, or limited). Although streams in Texas are diverse, a statewide Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) has been applied historically in conjunction with water quality, benthic macroinvertebrate, and habitat data to set aquatic life uses in streams. This study was conducted to regionalize the IBI for Texas’ wadeable streams. Fish were collected from 62 least disturbed reference streams located within 11 of the 12 aquatic ecoregions described for the state. An array of metrics was screened to determine which ones were most suited for Texas. Scoring criteria were developed for each of the respective metrics. Metrics suited for all regions of the state include: total number of species; number of native cyprinid species; number of sunfish species; percentage of individuals as omnivores; percentage of individuals as invertivores; number of individuals per unit effort; percentage of individuals as nonnative species; and percentage of individuals with disease or other anomaly. Other metrics used in selected ecoregions include: number of benthic invertivore species; number of benthic species; number of intolerant species; percentage of individuals as tolerant species (excluding western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis); and percentage of individuals as piscivores. When applied to the least disturbed streams sampled in this study, the statewide IBI produced lower overall scores and aquatic life uses. Scores from the statewide IBI demonstrated a geographical trend, declining from east to west, and resulted in no exceptional aquatic life use designations even though the streams were selected through a screening process and were among the least disturbed in a region. These lower IBI values (and aquatic life uses) result from using a single index over a large land area comprised of a diversity of land forms, soil types, vegetation, climatic conditions, and zoogeographic factors. Regional criteria consider these natural differences and consequently provide a better representation of the integrity of the fish assemblage.
Review of Desk-top Methods for Establishing Environmental Flows in Texas Rivers and Streams
(Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, 2009-11-24T17:28:26Z) Winemiller, Kirk; Bonner, Tim; Brandes, Bob; Davis, Steve; King, Ryan; Maidment, David R.; Ward, George
Salinity Zip file
(2009-11-16T23:30:42Z) Maidment, David R.
The Science of Instream Flows: A Review of the Texas Instream Flow Program
(National Research Council, National Academies of Science, 2009-11-24T17:08:08Z) Committee on Review of Methods for Establishing Instream Flows for Texas Rivers - National Research Council - National Academies of Science
Senate Bill 2
(2009-11-24T17:08:21Z) The 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
An act relating to the development and management of the water resources of the state, including the ratification of the creation of certain groundwater conservation districts; providing penalties.
Senate Bill 3
(2009-11-24T17:21:12Z) The 80th Legislature of the State of Texas
An act relating to the development, management, and preservation of the water resources of the state; providing penalties.
Status of Biotic Integrity, Water Quality, and Physical Habitat in Wadeable East Texas Streams
(Resources Protection Division, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2009-11-24T17:27:26Z) Kleinsasser, Leroy; Jurgensen, Tim; Bowles, David; Boles, Steve; Aziz, Karim; Saunders, Kenneth; Linam, Gordon; Trungale, Joseph; Mayes, Kevin; Rector, Jason; Fields, Jacqueline Renee; Portis, Kip; Steinmetz, Gary; Moss, Randall
Suspended Sediment Yield in Texas Watersheds
(Center for Research in Water Resources, The University of Texas at Austin, 2009-12-03T22:30:47Z) Coonrod, Julia E. Allred; Holley, Edward R.; Maidment, David R.; Ward, George H.
Texas Hydrologic Assessment Tool: List of Altered Stream Gages in Texas
(United States Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2009-11-24T17:28:12Z) Henriksen, Jim; Heasley, John; Cade, Brian
Texas Hydrologic Assessment Tool: List of Unaltered Stream Gages in Texas
(United States Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2009-11-24T17:27:56Z) Henriksen, Jim; Heasley, John; Cade, Brian

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