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Ecological Characteristics

Ecological Characteristics . Region H of Texas Water Planning. 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.

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Ecological Characteristics

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  1. Ecological Characteristics Region H of Texas Water Planning

  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 Webite for complete listing

  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, woodstork 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 stormwater flows (convert them to storage yields) • Dam Height is 53 feet • Estimated Cost of $157,300,000

  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

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