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Ecological Characteristics

Ecological Characteristics . Region H of Texas Water Planning Kelli Bagwell & Courtney Campbell. Important Aquatic Features. Armand Bayou- coastal tributary of Clear Lake, good habitat for alligators,waterfowl and other riparian wildlife.

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Ecological Characteristics

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  1. Ecological Characteristics Region H of Texas Water Planning Kelli Bagwell & Courtney Campbell

  2. Important Aquatic Features • Armand Bayou- coastal tributary of Clear Lake, good habitat for alligators,waterfowl and other riparian wildlife. • Austin Bayou- scenic coastal plain bayou, an important habitat for wildlife. • Bastrop Bayou- extensive freshwater wetland habitat

  3. Others • Brazos River • San Jacinto River • Caney Creek • Carpenters Bayou • Mill Creek • See Texas Parks and Wildlife Website for more

  4. Determination of Importance • Water planning experts determine a river or stream to be of ecological significance based upon: • Biological function • Hydrologic Function • Riparian Conservation Areas • High water quality/exceptional wildlife/aesthetic value • Threatened/Endangered Species in the area

  5. Biological Function • Must consider degree of biodiversity, age, and uniqueness of area • Observe the quantity and quality of terrestrial, wetland and aquatic habitats in the area

  6. Hydrologic Function • Look at what the habitat fringing the water actually does in terms of hydrologic functions • Flood plains • Flow Stabilization • Groundwater recharge

  7. Riparian Conservation • Includes segments that are bordered by public property or land protected by the government. • State and federal wildlife refuges • Preserves, parks, mitigation areas • Wildlife management land

  8. High Overall Quality • Segments that are critical to many species in terms of habitat, water flow or water quality • Look at overall aesthetic value and quality

  9. Threatened/Endangered Species • Protect areas that are known to be home to federally protected endangered or threatened species • Protects unique or naturally undisturbed communities

  10. Threatened Areas of Region H • Region H covers protected areas like: • Sam Houston National Forest • Big Thicket Nature Preserve • National Wildlife Refuges • Many underdeveloped, natural areas

  11. Threatened Species in Region H • Houston Toad • Bald Eagle • White-faced Ibis • Black Rail • Wood Stork • Corkwood • For complete listing see Texas Park and Wildlife website

  12. New Projects • 2 New Reservoirs recommended • Bedias River and Little River ideas projected to impact vital bottomland hardwoods • Allen’s Creek Project known to impact Houston Toad, Wood Stork and White-Faced Ibis habitats, but was modified to avoid Alligator Hole, a vital wetland segment

  13. Allen’s Creek Reservoir • Located in Austin County on Allen’s Creek, a tributary to Brazos River • Scalping Reservoir to control storm water flows (convert them to storage yields) • Dam Height is predicted to be 53 feet • Estimated Cost of the project: 157-195 million dollars

  14. Bedias Reservoir • Located mainly in Madison County • Includes Bedias and Caney creeks • Would provide water to lower Trinity and San Jacinto River Basins

  15. Little River Reservoir • Located in Milam County within the Brazos River Basin • Would span both region G and H to provide maximum benefits

  16. Effects of Hurricane Ike • Hazardous Wastes: • Propane tanks, paints, trash were scattered though out the area and ended up in backyards, marshes, and the sea • Salt/Freshwater Mixing: • The storm surge pushed saltwater into the fresh water marshes and bayous which effected many ecosystems • Pollution: • The winds knocked down oil rigs and spilled more than half a million barrels into the Gulf

  17. Bibliography • http://www.texaswatermatters.com/region_h.htm • http://regionhwater.org/index.asp • http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/wrpi/wus/2006est/2006RegionH.xls • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_Hurricane_Ike_in_Texas • http://snr.unl.edu/niwr/docs/states/TX08.pdf • http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/publications/reports/groundwaterreports/gwreports/r345%20aquifers%20of%20texas/Majors/gulf.pdf • http://www.betterbay.org/html/newspubs_galbay_wetland_body.htm • http://www.swmp.org/ • http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/publications/reports/RWPGdocuments/rwp_summary/rwp_summary_h_.htm • http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/water/environconcerns/water_quality/sigsegs/regionh.phtml • http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/pwd_rp_t3200_1059c/index.phtml • http://ecologicalproblems.blogspot.com/2008/10/hurricane-ikes-environmental-impact.html

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