Watershed Protection Plan - Lower Rio Grande Valley Development ...

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STATE OF THE WATERSHED in the Arroyo Colorado (APAI 2006). Figure 20 shows TSS concentrations at stations located upstream and downstream of the tidal/non-tidal boundary. Based on samples collected between 1990 and 2006, the average concentration of TSS at the downstream end of the non-tidal portion of the Arroyo Colorado (just upstream of the Zone of Impairment) is 147 mg/l. The average concentration of TSS at a station located in the tidal portion of the Arroyo Colorado (at the Zone of Impairment) is 27 mg/l (Figure 20). Although occasionally high (80-90 mg/l), TSS in the Tidal Segment of the Arroyo Colorado is generally much lower than in the Above Tidal Segment due to the change in stream velocity that occurs at the tidal boundary. As the freshwater from the Arroyo Colorado Above Tidal enters the Port of Harlingen, it slows down, causing sediment to fall out of suspension. Most of the sediment lost at the beginning of the tidal segment is thought to be deposited at or near the Port of Harlingen. Suspended sediment is thought to play an important role in oxygen depletion and nutrient cycling in this portion of the Arroyo Colorado. The TSS data shown in Figure 20 shows no apparent trend with time or season of the year. Escherichia coli Fecal Bacteria Fecal coliform bacteria are biological indicators of infectious disease. They are present in the intestines of many animals including humans and, although many of these bacteria do not typically cause illness in humans, their presence in water indicates the possibility that other disease-causing microbes could also be present. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a type of fecal coliform that is thought to be more specifi cally linked to human and animal waste. The presence and abundance of E. coli in water is an important measure of the impact human and animal waste may have on a water body. In marine water bodies, Enterococcus bacteria are used to measure the disease potential. A water quality criterion for individual E.coli samples has been set by the State of Texas at a maximum 394 colony-forming units per one hundred milliliters (cfu/100ml) and 89 (#/100ml) for Enterococcus to be protective of swimmers. In preparing the 2004 Texas Water Quality Inventory, if the screening level was exceeded by more than 25% of the samples collected in the assessment period; the water body was listed as impaired by the TCEQ. Figure 21. shows E. coli and Enterococcus concentrations at water quality stations located upstream (13074) and downstream (13072) of the Tidal Segment boundary of the Arroyo Colorado from 2001 to 2006. E. coli concentrations in the Above Tidal Segment of the Arroyo Colorado exceed the criteria more frequently than in the Tidal Segment. The Above Tidal Segment of the Arroyo Colorado is currently listed on the 2004 Texas 303(d) list for elevated levels of E. coli. Legacy Pollutants The term legacy pollutant is used to describe toxic chemicals that persist in the environment long after their use has been banned or severely restricted. Prior to 2004, the Arroyo Colorado appeared in the State of Texas’ 303(d) Lists for failing to meet the fi sh consumption use. Legacy pesticides such as DDD, DDT, DDE, chlordane, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, hexachlorobenzene, lindane and toxaphene were found in concentrations that exceeded the human health risk criteria in the Above Tidal segment of the Arroyo Colorado, causing the Texas Department of Health to issue fi sh consumption advisories in 1980 and 1993. In 2000, the TCEQ completed TMDLs for the legacy pollutant impairments in the Arroyo Colorado. The USEPA approved TMDLs for chlordane, DDE and toxaphene in fi sh tissue on June 14, 2001, and for DDD, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor epoxide, hexachlorobenzene and lindane in fi sh tissue on May 15, 2004. A TMDL implementation plan designed to reduce legacy pollutant concentrations in fi sh tissue in the Arroyo Colorado Fish consumption warnings Arroyo Colorado Watershed Protection Plan 46 January 2007
STATE OF THE WATERSHED Figure 20. Total Suspended Sediment Concentrations (TSS) at Water Quality Monitoring Stations Located Upstream (13074) and Downstream (13072) of the Arroyo Colorado Tidal Segment Boundary mg/L mg/L 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 Nov-96 May-97 May-97 Nov-97 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 13074 - Arroyo Colorado at Cemetary Road May-98 Nov-98 Above Tidal and the Donna Reservoir and Main Canal (Segment 2202A) was approved by the TCEQ in September of 2001. Since these TMDLs and TMDL implementation Plans were completed and approved by the TCEQ, legacy pollutants in fi sh tissue have declined signifi cantly, prompting the Texas Department of State Health Services to modify the fi sh consumption advisory in the Arroyo Colorado to include only one species of fi sh (Smallmouth Buffalo). Legacy pollutants in fi sh tissue have been removed from the most current 303(d) list (TCEQ 2004b). More information on legacy pollutants in the Arroyo Colorado can be found at the following URL: Wastewater Infrastructure May-99 In 2002, the TCEQ compared the permit limits of BOD and ammonia nitrogen to historical effl uent Nov-99 May-00 Nov-00 May-01 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 13072 - Arroyo Colorado Tidal at FM 106 Bridge, Rio Hondo Nov-97 May-98 Nov-98 May-99 Nov-99 May-00 Nov-00 May-01 Nov-01 Nov-01 May-02 May-02 Nov-02 Nov-02 May-03 May-03 Nov-03 Nov-03 May-04 May-04 concentrations of BOD and ammonia nitrogen from self-reported data. The comparison provided historical confi rmation that several of the municipal wastewater facilities were not continuously complying with permit limitations during the 10-year period. Since 2000, there have been marked improvements in permit compliance; however, some facilities continue to exceed the effl uent limits specifi ed in their discharge permits, partially because some of the facilities are out-dated. Overall, the state of the watershed in relation to wastewater infrastructure looks promising. All the municipalities in the Arroyo Colorado watershed have recently upgraded or plan to upgrade their facilities and all have agreed to participate in and support the Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP) for the Arroyo Colorado. The PRP is the wastewater infrastructure component of the ACW Protection Plan. The organizations participating in the Arroyo Colorado PRP include the following: • The City of Alamo • The City of Donna • The City of Harlingen (two facilities) • The City of Hidalgo • The City of La Feria January 2007 47 Arroyo Colorado Watershed Protection Plan Nov-04 Nov-04 May-05 May-05 Nov-05 Nov-05 May-06 May-06 Wastewater Treatment Facility
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Photos courtesy of Brand Cowan, Cam
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CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .........
Page 7 and 8: CONTENTS - FIGURES Habitat Restorat
Page 9: TABLES LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Tabl
Page 13 and 14: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Arroyo Colora
Page 15 and 16: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Habitat Approxima
Page 17 and 18: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY management practi
Page 19 and 20: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Elements of the W
Page 22 and 23: INTRODUCTION In its most pristine c
Page 24 and 25: INTRODUCTION Colorado, where physic
Page 27 and 28: THE ARROYO COLORADO WATERSHED PARTN
Page 34 and 35: THE ARROYO COLORADO WATERSHED The A
Page 36 and 37: THE ARROYO COLORADO WATERSHED the D
Page 38 and 39: THE ARROYO COLORADO WATERSHED Figur
Page 40 and 41: THE ARROYO COLORADO WATERSHED Table
Page 42 and 43: THE ARROYO COLORADO WATERSHED Resac
Page 45 and 46: STATE OF THE WATERSHED From a natur
Page 47 and 48: STATE OF THE WATERSHED resacas loca
Page 49 and 50: STATE OF THE WATERSHED Water Qualit
Page 51 and 52: STATE OF THE WATERSHED Table 8. Des
Page 53 and 54: STATE OF THE WATERSHED Figure 12. L
Page 55 and 56: STATE OF THE WATERSHED Figure 14. 1
Page 57: STATE OF THE WATERSHED Figure 18. T
Page 61 and 62: STATE OF THE WATERSHED facilities a
Page 63 and 64: STATE OF THE WATERSHED controlled.
Page 65 and 66: STATE OF THE WATERSHED Tree plantin
Page 67 and 68: XXX Arroyo Colorado Watershed Prote
Page 69 and 70: POLLUTION IN THE ARROYO COLORADO
Page 71 and 72: POLLUTION IN THE ARROYO COLORADO 1)
Page 73 and 74: POLLUTION IN THE ARROYO COLORADO St
Page 76 and 77: INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK Successful
Page 78 and 79: INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK the water r
Page 80 and 81: INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK managing pr
Page 82 and 83: INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK criteria fo
Page 84 and 85: INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK pertaining
Page 87 and 88: ELEMENTS OF THE ARROYO COLORADO WAT
Page 102 and 103: EDUCATION AND OUTREACH Fostering lo
Page 104 and 105: EDUCATION AND OUTREACH • Distribu
Page 106 and 107: EDUCATION AND OUTREACH quality prob
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EDUCATION AND OUTREACH • Develop
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EDUCATION AND OUTREACH take to do t
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EDUCATION AND OUTREACH industry, de
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EDUCATION AND OUTREACH To support m
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EDUCATION AND OUTREACH members of t
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ESTIMATED WATERSHED LOADINGS AND LO
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WATER QUALITY MONITORING PLAN Figur
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WATER QUALITY MONITORING PLAN Figur
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WATER QUALITY MONITORING PLAN Autom
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TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
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SOURCES OF TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL
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IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE Federal CWA
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IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE Table 24. T
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IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE TMDL Monito
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MEASURING PROGRESS The ultimate mea
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MEASURING PROGRESS Table 25. Criter
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MEASURING PROGRESS Table 27. Milest
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APPENDICES HUC HWWS IBWC IMAS km LL
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APPENDICES APPENDIX B Arroyo Colora
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APPENDICES arise necessitating the
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APPENDICES c. Committee Members: Co
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APPENDICES APPENDIX C Arroyo Colora
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APPENDICES FRANK MARTINEZ IBWC JAME
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APPENDICES WESLEY ROSENTHAL TAMU JE
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APPENDICES APPENDIX E Rare Plants a
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APPENDICES Common Name Scientific N
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APPENDICES APPENDIX F Locally Activ
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APPENDICES Gorgas Science Foundatio
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APPENDICES Endangered Species Act T
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APPENDICES APPENDIX H List of Feder
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APPENDICES Common Name Scientific N
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APPENDICES APPENDIX I Selected Mars
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APPENDICES Mid-Depths - 15 to 50 cm
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REFERENCES Arnold, J.G., P.M. Allen
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REFERENCES IBWC, 2003. Hydraulic Mo
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REFERENCES TAES (Texas Agricultural
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REFERENCES USEPA, 1999. Draft Guida
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