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Riogrande 2 - jufhffgh
jufhffgh
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Research Development And Data Analysis (EDUC 555)
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Capital University, Columbus Ohio
Academic year: 2022/2023
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Rio Grande Basin
Associated Maps
River Basins.......................................... 12
Rio Grande Basin.................................
Minor Aquifers...................................... 26
Major Aquifers....................................
Reservoirs..........................................
Associated Tables
The Texas Priority Species List........
Priority Species
Group Scientific Name Common Name State/Federal Status
Amphipod
s Gammarus hyalelloides Diminutive amphipod FC
Gammarus pecos (Diamond Y amphipod) SC
Gammarus sp. 1 (Lang et al. 23) (Giffin Spring amphipod) SC
Gammarus sp. 2 (Lang et al. 23)
(East Sandia Spring
amphipod) SC
Gammarus sp. C (Cole 1985) (Phantom Lake amphipod) SC
Gammarus sp. M (Cole 1985) (Toyahvale amphipod) SC
Gammarus sp. S (Cole 1985)
(San Solomon Spring
amphipod) SC
Stygobromus limbus (Border Cave amphipod) SC
Isopods Lirceolus n. sp. Dandrige Springs isopod SC
Shrimp Macrobrachium acanthurus Cinnamon river shrimp SC
Macrobrachium carcinus Bigclaw river shrimp SC
Mussels Popenaias popeii Texas hornshell (mussel) FC
Potamilus metnecktayi Salina mucket (mussel) SC
Quadrula couchiana
Rio Grande monkeyface
(mussel) SC
Quincuncina mitchelli False spike (mussel) SC
Truncilla cognata
Mexican fawnsfoot
(mussel) SC
Snails Assiminea pecos Pecos assiminea snail FP
Cochliopa texana Phantom Cave Snail FC
Pseudotryonia adamantina Diamond Y Spring (snail) FC
Pygulopsis metcalfi Naegele springsnail SC
Pyrgulopsis davisi Limpia Creek springsnail SC
Tryonia brunei (Brunes tryonia (snail)) SC
Tryonia cheatumi Phantom tryonia (snail) FC
Tryonia circumstriata Gonzales springsnail SC
Insects Homoleptohyphes mirus Desert stream mayfly SC
Limnebius texanus Texas minute moss beetle SC
Stictotarsus neomexicanus Bonita diving beetle SC
Gomphus gonzalezi
Tamaulipan clubtail
(dragonfly) SC
Plants Potamogeton clystocarpus Little aguja pondweed FE, SE
Macrhybopsis aestivalis Speckled chub SC
Microphis brachyurus Opossum pipefish ST
Micropterus salmoides nuecensis SC
Scartomyzon austrinus Mexican redhorse SC
Notropis braytoni Tamaulipas shiner SC
Notropis chihuahua Chihuahua shiner ST
Notropis jemezanus Rio Grande shiner SC
Notropis simus pecosensis Pecos bluntnose shiner ST, E
Oncorhynchus clarki virginalis Rio Grande cutthroat trout E
Rhinichthys cataractae Longnose dace SC
Scaphirhynchus platorynchus Shovelnose sturgeon ST
Location and Condition of Rio Grande Basin
The Rio Grande originates in the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado, flows
southward through New Mexico to the Gulf of Mexico. Its total length is approximately
1,896 miles, with approximately 1,248 miles being located along the southern border of
Texas.
The drainage area of the entire basin is 335,500 square miles and covers three U.
(Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas) and five Mexican (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango,
Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas) states. Texas portions of the basin account for 48,
square miles of catchment (TCEQ 2004b). Rainfall averages from 8 to 32 inches per year
(BEG 1996a). The Rio Grande crosses four physiographic ecoregions in Texas beginning
with the Trans-Pecos, then the Edwards Plateau, flowing into the South Texas Plains and
finally the tip of the Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes (Gould 1960, BEG 1996b).
The Rio Grande borders the Texas counties of El Paso, Hudspeth, Presidio, Brewster,
Terrell, Val Verde, Kinney, Maverick, Webb, Zapata, Starr, Hidalgo, and Cameron. The
Rio Grande dwindles to nearly zero flow at Presidio, and does not flow again in earnest
until water from the Río Conchos of Mexico joins the Rio Grande near Presidio.
Major cities and towns include Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Socorro, Truth or Consequences,
Mesilla, and Las Cruces in New Mexico; El Paso, Presidio, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Laredo,
Rio Grande City, McAllen, and Brownsville in Texas; and Ciudad Juárez, Ojinaga,
Ciudad Acuña, Piedras Negras, Nuevo Laredo, Camargo, Reynosa, and Matamoros in
Mexico. Mexican border states along the Rio Grande are Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo
León, and Tamaulipas (UT 2005).
The Rio Conchos of Mexico joins the Rio Grande at Presidio and soon flows into the
canyon lands of Big Bend National Park. A 191-mile strip of the American bank called
Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River begins in Big Bend National Park and runs
downstream to the Terrell-Val Verde county line. South of Redford (formerly Polvo), the
Bofecillos and the Chihuahua Mountains converge to form Colorado Canyon after which
follow Santa Elena, Mariscal, and Boquillas canyons. Further downstream are smaller,
white-water canyons such as Horse, Big, and Reagan canyons (UT 2005).
Cattle ranches and farms with broad open valleys typify the Rio Grande downstream of
Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Laredo. The river at this point becomes more meandering and
tropical evidenced by fertile citrus groves. The river terminates in a delta at the Gulf of
Mexico (UT 2005).
The Rio Grande flows through several types of habitat which include deserts, wetlands,
mountains, and subtropical coastal regions. The importance of the Rio Grande as a water
supply and as an international boundary poses an environmental challenge in protecting
its water quantity and quality.
The Rio Grande from below Falcon Dam, in Starr County downstream to the Rio Grande
Wier, in Cameron County (TNRCC stream segment 2302) has an ecologically significant
designation (El-Hage and Moulton 2000).. One reason for the ecological significance of
this segment is the presence of priority riparian habitat, extensive freshwater wetlands,
relatively flat desert terrain enroute to its rendezvous with the Mesa de Anguila and Santa
Elena Canyon.
The 26-mile section of the Rio Grande from Lajitas to Castolon contains Santa Elena
Canyon and is one of the most famous segments of the river. The entire section is scenic
with the main feature being Santa Elena Canyon which rises as much as 1500 ft above the
riverbed.
Bancos (wide, usually brushy curves shaped like horseshoes or oxbows) have generated
significant problems in defining the international boundary, especially in the lower Rio
Grande valley; as they frequently overflow and form new channels. This became a
serious issue not resolved until the Banco treaty of 1905. Elephant Butte Dam in New
Mexico opened in 1916 was to provide a steady supply of irrigation water on demand. In
1933 the United States and Mexico approved the Rio Grande Rectification Treaty, which
straightened the channel east of El Paso reducing the river’s length from 155 miles to
85 miles. The subsequent Rio Grande Channelization Project straightened the Rio
Grande in New Mexico from Caballo Dam south to the Texas line, roughly 100 miles. In
1932, the United States and Mexico ratified the Lower Rio Grande Valley Flood Control
Project, which strengthened and raised levees and dredged the channel and floodways.
Five of fourteen major water body segments are listed as impaired in the 2004 draft 303
(d) list (TCEQ 2004a). All sites were listed for high bacteria levels, two for chronic
toxicity in water to aquatic organisms, and total dissolved solids along with elevated
chloride levels were listed in the Rio Grande below Riverside Diversion Dam. In
addition to the five impaired water bodies, water development throughout the basin has
altered natural flow regimes drastically. It is not uncommon for the Rio Grande to cease
flowing near Fort Quitman and within the last decade the river has ceased to flow at its
mouth on various occasions for prolonged periods. Water development in the upper basin
both by Mexico and the U. along with flood control structures has altered the natural
hydrograph dramatically. Concomitant with these efforts has been the loss of channel
maintenance flows. In many areas this has caused encroachment of invasive riparian
species such as salt cedar and giant cane, which in turn have reduced flows through
uptake and evapotranspiration.
Associated Waterways
Major tributaries are the Pecos, Devils, Chama, and Puerco rivers in the United States,
and the Conchos, Salado, and San Juan in Mexico (UT 2005). Lesser tributaries include
perennial streams such as San Felipe and Sycamore Creeks. Many seasonal creeks such
as Terlingua Creek contribute during runoff events, but otherwise do not contribute
significant flow.
Pecos River
The Pecos River rises on the eastern slope of the Santa Fe Mountain Range in Mora
County New Mexico. It enters the State of Texas in Loving County at Red Bluff Lake;
meanders in a general southeasterly course approximately 170 miles through a narrow
alluvial valley to Sheffield. From this point it continues in a southeasterly course 90
miles through a deep box canyon to its junction with the Rio Grande 10 miles west of
Comstock, in Val Verde County. Its principal tributaries are Toyah and Comanche creeks
in Texas and Delaware Creek just north of the New Mexico-Texas state line. These
creeks are intermittent. The Pecos River is the principal tributary of the lower Rio
Grande. There are no power developments along the stream in Texas, but considerable
water is diverted near Pecos and Grandfalls for irrigation. The lower reach of the Pecos
River from the Val Verde/Crockett county line downstream to a point just downstream of
Painted Canyon (Val Verde County) is considered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department to have significant ecological value (El-Hage and Moulton 2001). The
aquatic and riparian habitats associated with the river in this reach support a diverse
assemblage of invertebrates, reptiles, fish, birds, and plants. The river here flows through
a region that represents the overlap of three ecological zones; the Trans Pecos to the west,
the Edwards Plateau to the east, and the South Texas Plains to the south. Riparian gallery
forests include salt cedar, oaks, willows, huisache, baccharis and many other brush
between the cities of Laredo, Texas and Rio Grande City, Texas, about 275 river miles
upstream from the Gulf of Mexico. The Rio San Juan has a drainage area of
approximately 13,000 square miles and enters the Rio Grande about 36 river miles below
Falcon Dam near Rio Grande City, Texas.
The Mexican-United States Treaty of February 3, 1944, committed both countries to the
construction of two Rio Grande dams: Falcon and Amistad, each designed to store five
million or more acre-feet. Falcon Dam fifty miles downstream from Laredo, Texas was
dedicated in October 1953. Not far downstream is Mission Reservoir, at Mission, Texas.
Amistad (Friendship) Dam was finished in 1969 and is twelve miles northwest of Del Rio
(UT 2005).
Reservoirs
Associated
Reservoir Location
Size
(acres)
Max
Depth
(Feet)
Date
Impounded
Water Level
Fluctuation Water Clarity Aquatic Vegetation
International
Amistad
Reservoir
On the Rio Grande,
12 miles northwest
of Del Rio in Val
Verde County 67000 217 1969
Dependent on rainfall
and downstream
irrigation demands.
Annual fluctuations
can be 5-10 feet.
Historical
fluctuations have
dropped lake as much
as 50 feet below
conservation pool.
Clear to
slightly stained
1999 surveys
indicated
approximately 1,
acres of aquatic
vegetation, primarily
hydrilla.
International
Falcon Reservoir
Falcon is a
mainstream reservoir
on the Rio Grande
River, located 40
miles east of Laredo
on Highway 83 in
Zapata and Starr
counties. 78300 110 1954
Severe, 40 to 50 feet
or more
Turbid (upper)
to stained
(lower) Sparse hydrilla
encouraged in the colonias to improve the quality of water that is discharged into the
river.
Surface and sub-surface discharges that arise from both natural processes and the
activities of man affect the quality of these water resources. In general, the presence of
minerals, which contribute to the total dissolved solids concentration in surface water,
arise from natural sources, but can be concentrated as flows travel downstream. Return
flows from both irrigation and municipal uses can concentrate dissolved solids, but can
also add other elements such as nutrients, sediments, chemicals, and pathogenic
organisms.
Water in the Rio Grande normally is of suitable quality for irrigation, treated municipal
supplies, livestock, and industrial uses; however, salinity, nutrients, and fecal coliform
bacteria are of concerns throughout the basin. Salinity concentrations in the Rio Grande
are the result of both human activities and natural conditions: the naturally salty waters of
the Pecos River are a major source of the salts that flow into Amistad Reservoir and
continue downstream. Untreated or poorly treated discharges from inadequate
wastewater treatment facilities primarily in Mexico, is the principal source for fecal
coliform bacteria contamination. A secondary source is from nonpoint source pollution
on both sides of the river, including poorly constructed or malfunctioning septic and
sewage collection systems and improperly managed animal wastes. Although frequently
identified as a concern, nutrient levels do not represent a threat to human health, nor have
they supported excessive aquatic plant growth or caused widespread depressed dissolved
oxygen levels, commonly. In the Rio Grande, downstream of Amistad Reservoir, contact
recreation use is not supported due to the elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria that
have been observed.
The Arroyo Colorado traverses Willacy, Cameron, and Hidalgo counties and is the major
drainageway for approximately two dozen cities in this area, with the notable exception
of Brownsville. Almost 500,000 acres in these three counties are irrigated for cotton,
citrus, vegetables, grain sorghum, corn, and sugar cane production, and much of the
runoff and return flows from these areas are discharged into the Arroyo Colorado. The
Arroyo Colorado and the Brownsville Ship Channel both discharge into the Laguna
Madre near the northern border of Willacy County. Use of the water in the Arroyo
Colorado for municipal, industrial, and/or irrigation purposes is severely limited because
of the poor water quality conditions that exist there.
In general, groundwater from the various aquifers in the region have total dissolved solids
concentrations exceeding 1,000 mg/L (slightly saline) and often exceeds 3,000 mg/L
(moderately saline). The salinity hazard for groundwater ranges from high to very high
and localized areas of high boron content are shown to occur. Salinity hazard is a
measure of the potential for salts to be concentrated in the soil from high salinity
groundwater. Accumulation or buildup of salts in the soil can affect the ability of plants to
take in water and nutrients from the soil.
While population in the Rio Grande Region has increased rapidly since 1980, total
reported water use over this period has actually decreased. Reported water use in 1996 is
approximately 25 percent less than was reported in 1980. Although water use in any
given year can be quite variable, there has been a steady trend towards decreasing
irrigation water use since 1980 and a more pronounced increase in municipal water use
over this same period. The decrease in irrigation water use is at least partly attributable to
improved irrigation efficiency and reductions in irrigated land as a result of urbanization.
The pronounced increase in municipal water demand (up 45 percent since 1980) is
directly related to the large population increases over this period.
The majority of the water used in the region is in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, where
approximately three quarters of a million people live and where irrigated farming is
practiced extensively. In 1980, water use in Hidalgo and Cameron counties alone
accounted for 86 percent of the total water use in the Rio Grande Region. However, by
1996 water use in Cameron and Hidalgo counties accounted for only 72 percent of the
regional total. This shift in the relative share of total regional water demand is primarily
the result of decreasing irrigation demand in Cameron and Hidalgo Counties.
Exotic species monitoring - A number of exotic (non-native) species have been
introduced (some intentionally) into the river basin. Monitoring specifically
designed to target these species is important as a number of exotic species have
proven capable of hybridizing or competing with native species (Miller et al.
1989; Williams et al. 1989; Garrett 1991).
Ensure adequate instream flows and water quality through evaluation of proposed
projects and water diversions in the Rio Grande-Rio Bravo basin. The Department
completed a bi-national interagency study of water quality and fish assemblages
in the Rio Grande in the early 1990’s. That study, coupled with more recent data
should allow detailed analysis of the effects of potential shifts in flow regimes
from proposed projects.
Facilitate the availability of historical reports and associated data—Departmental
and other publications containing biological data are not readily available and that
situation inhibits the ability to document faunal changes through time in the
state’s rivers and streams.
Conservation Actions
Conduct studies, monitoring programs, and activities to develop the scientific
basis for assuring adequate instream flows for rivers, freshwater inflows to
estuaries, and water quality with the goal of conserving the health and
productivity of public waters in Texas. Work with the IBWC to develop water
management plans to address instream and freshwater inflow needs as practical.
Participate in development of the State Water Plan through the 16 planning
regions to assure consideration of fish and wildlife resources.
Facilitate coordination of all TPWD divisions with other state and federal
resource agencies to assure that water quantity and water quality needs of fish and
wildlife resources are incorporated in those agencies’ activities and decision-
making processes.
Review water rights and water quality permits to provide recommendations to the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and participate as warranted in
regulatory processes to assure that fish and wildlife conservation needs are
adequately considered in those regulatory processes.
Investigate fish kills and other pollution events that adversely affect fish and
wildlife resources, make use of civil restitution and role as a natural resource
trustee to restore those resources, water quality, and habitat.
Continue to increase the information available to the public about conserving
Texas rivers, streams and springs with the goal of developing greater public
support and involvement when important water resource decisions are made.
Development of integrated GIS products for analyzing and sharing information
should be a focus of this effort.
Continue to provide technical support and advice to entities developing Habitat
Conservation Plans to address instream flow, habitat, and water quality issues and
needs.
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Riogrande 2 - jufhffgh
Course: Research Development And Data Analysis (EDUC 555)
26 Documents
Students shared 26 documents in this course
University: Capital University, Columbus Ohio
Was this document helpful?
Rio Grande Basin
Associated Maps
River Basins………………………............... 12
Rio Grande Basin……………………………21
Minor Aquifers………………….…............. 26
Major Aquifers……………………………...27
Reservoirs…………………………………...28
Associated Tables
The Texas Priority Species List……..1
Priority Species
Group Scientific Name Common Name State/Federal Status
Amphipod
sGammarus hyalelloides Diminutive amphipod FC
Gammarus pecos (Diamond Y amphipod) SC
Gammarus sp. 1 (Lang et al. 23) (Giffin Spring amphipod) SC
Gammarus sp. 2 (Lang et al. 23)
(East Sandia Spring
amphipod) SC
Gammarus sp. C (Cole 1985) (Phantom Lake amphipod) SC
Gammarus sp. M (Cole 1985) (Toyahvale amphipod) SC
Gammarus sp. S (Cole 1985)
(San Solomon Spring
amphipod) SC
Stygobromus limbus (Border Cave amphipod) SC
Isopods Lirceolus n. sp. Dandrige Springs isopod SC
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