Introduction and Purpose
Download 3.65 Mb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- Associated Section IV Documents
- Location and Condition of the Lavaca Basin
- Problems Affecting Habitat and Species
- Priority Research and Monitoring Efforts
- Neches River Basin Associated Maps
- Location and Condition of Neches River Basin
Lavaca River Basin Associated Maps Texas Rivers and River Basins….................. 12 Lavaca River Basin………………………… 24 Minor Aquifers………………….…............. 26 Major Aquifers……………………………...27 Texas Rivers and Reservoirs………………..28 Associated Section IV Documents The Texas Priority Species List……………..743 Priority Species
Location and Condition of the Lavaca Basin The Lavaca River is located on the coastal prairie lying north of the San Antonio-Matagorda bay area. Headwaters originate in southern Fayette County and flow through Lavaca and Jackson Counties into Lavaca Bay. The Navidad River and its tributaries drain approximately 60% of the basin. The basin drainage area is 2,309 square miles (TCEQ 2004b). The stream is classified as intermittent due to its dependence on rainfall rather than permanent spring flows (UT 2005); however, average annual rainfall varies between 36 and 42 inches, (BEG 1996a) and the average annual flow is about 600,000 acre-feet (UT 2005). Heavy rains bring frequent flooding as far upstream as Hallettsville. During the nineteenth century the river was normally navigable to Texana, thirty miles above its mouth (UT 2005). Major towns in the basin include Moulton, Hallettsville, Edna, and Vanderbilt. Land use is primarily for ranching and the production of oil and gas from the numerous oilfields along its banks (UT 2005). Associated Water Bodies Its primary tributary is the Navidad River, which enters from the east two miles northeast of Vanderbilt. The North Fork of the Lavaca River rises on the Lavaca-Fayette county line and flows south through Lavaca County for 7½ miles to its mouth on the main Lavaca River, three miles southwest of Komensky. The loamy clay erodable upland soils of the area are used primarily for rangeland, pastureland, and the production of corn and grain sorghum. Until the second half of the twentieth century this area produced good yields of cotton, but soil erosion and depletion encouraged many farmers to convert their lands to pasture for beef and dairy cattle. The course of the stream is marked with scattered oak, willow, and sycamore, and unimproved pasture reverts to scattered cedar and mesquite (UT 2005). The West Prong of the Lavaca River rises three miles southwest of Moulton in western Lavaca County and flows east for 7½ miles to its mouth on the Lavaca River, 1½ miles southeast of Moulton. It borders the south and west sides of Moulton and flows through rolling hills surfaced by well-drained loamy and clayey soils of generally open upland prairie. The soils are used primarily for rangeland, pastureland, and the production of corn and grain sorghum. Occasional outcroppings of sandstone occur, and on steeper slopes erosion can be severe. Vegetation consists of scattered oak, willow, and hackberry mottes that provide cover for small game and upland birds. The stream is used for recreation in Moulton (UT 2005). The Lavaca River is found within the Post Oak Savannah, Blackland Prairie, and Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes physiographic ecoregions (Gould 1960, BEG 1996b). One of five major water body segments is listed as impaired on the 2004 draft 303 (d) list (TCEQ 2004a). Depressed dissolved oxygen was the parameter listed for this segment. Lake Texana Reservoir is the only major impoundment in the basin (TCEQ 2004b). Reservoirs
Aquifers The Gulf Coast is the only major aquifer found in the Basin (BEG 2001). The Lavaca Basin is almost entirely encompassed by the Gulf Coast Aquifer. Problems Affecting Habitat and Species In addition to the impaired water body segment, potential water development and transfer from Lake Texana to meet urban water needs poses a risk to bay and estuary inflows, which are critical to coastal fisheries resources. Population growth in the Lavaca Region (Region P) regional water planning area is not expected to be significant with a 3% increase forecast for 2060 (total population forecast 49,663) (TWDB 2005). No major reservoir construction is proposed within the current planning horizon but the Palmetto Bend II proposed reservoir site was recommended for designation as a unique reservoir site. Priority Research and Monitoring Efforts
Conservation Actions
Neches River Basin Associated Maps Texas Rivers and River Basins…….............. 12 Neches River Basin………………………… 18 Minor Aquifers………………….…............. 26 Major Aquifers……………………………...27 Texas Rivers and Reservoirs……………...... 28 Associated Section IV Documents The Texas Priority Species List……………..743 Priority Species
Location and Condition of Neches River Basin The Neches River originates in Van Zandt County, flowing southeastward through parts of east Texas to Sabine Lake. Here, it joins the Sabine River before flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. The Neches River basin is located entirely within Texas and has an approximate total area of 10,011 square miles, and a total length of 416 miles. Mean annual rainfall ranges from around 44 inches in the upper basin to about 55 inches where it reaches Sabine Lake. The abundant rainfall over the entire Neches Basin results in a flow near the Gulf of approximately 6,000,000 acre-feet per year. The river runs most of its course through the Post Oak Savannah, Pineywoods, and the northern tip of the Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes ecoregions (Gould 1960, BEG 1996a). The upper reaches of the Neches River in Van Zandt, Smith, Henderson, Cherokee, Anderson, Houston, Angelina, Trinity, and Polk Counties, flow through typical East Texas pine and hardwood bottomlands. Here, the river is scenic and an abundance of wildlife can be sighted on the banks. The only prevailing obstacles found along this section are occasional log jams. From Rhine Lake to Lake Palestine the Neches is extremely narrow and shallow. The Neches River is typically wide, free-flowing, and has maintained much of its natural character. The only potential obstacles to be found are occasional log jams. Certain portions of the Neches River are adjacent to areas managed by the U. S. Forest Service such as the Davy Crockett National Forest and the Angelina National Forest. Many areas on this river contain a wide variety of vegetative types, including oak, hickory, bald cypress, sweetgum, and pine. This river has considerable merit for recreational activities due to the existence of the Big Slough Wilderness Area which contains a small channel in the floodplain which diverges from the Neches then returns to the river about 4 miles downstream. Many portions along the Neches River are very remote, due largely to the scarcity of road crossings. The water along this river is often murky in appearance. There are thirty-two water body segments listed as impaired on the 2004 draft 303(d) list (TCEQ 2004). These include fifteen segments listed for bacteria, twelve segments listed for depressed dissolved oxygen (DO), four for mercury in fish tissue, two for low pH, two for lead in water, one for zinc in water, one for aluminum in water and one for impaired fish community (several segments are listed for more than one parameter). Segments listed for depressed DO include Star Lake Canal in Jefferson County, Booger Branch in Hardin County, Piney Creek in Houston, Trinity and Polk Counties, Neches River along the western border of Smith County, Pine Island Bayou in Hardin and Jefferson Counties, Boggy Creek in Hardin County, Little Pine Island Bayou in Hardin County, Willow Creek in Jefferson and Liberty Counties, Beech Creek in Hardin and Tyler Counties, Cypress Creek in Hardin County, Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Angelina, Nacogdoches and San Augustine Counties, and the Angelina River upstream from Sam Rayburn Reservoir on the northern border of Angelina County. Associated Water Bodies Major tributaries include the Angelina River, Attoyac Bayou (a tributary of the Angelina River), Pine Island Bayou and Village Creek. Angelina River Formed by the junction of Barnhardt, Scober, and Shawnee Creeks in Rusk County, the Angelina River flows through Cherokee, Nacogdoches, Angelina, San Augustine, and Jasper Counties, joining the Neches River at B. A. Steinhagen Reservoir 12 miles west of Jasper. The Angelina is a meandering stream flowing through forested bottomlands, many owned by lumber companies. In Rusk and Cherokee counties, it flows through heavily forested East Texas. From Cherokee, Nacogdoches and Angelina Counties water flow often fluctuates; however, due to the many feeder streams, the river generally maintains consistent water levels in all but dry periods. Very little current is evident at normal water levels. The Angelina National Forest borders the river along portions. Two reservoirs are located on the Angelina River: Sam Rayburn Reservoir and B. A. Steinhagen Lake. Pine Island Bayou Pine Island Bayou rises in eastern Liberty County and flows southeast through Hardin County where it empties into the Neches River. Flowing through the Big Thicket country for approximately 25 miles, Pine Island Bayou is remote and retains a wilderness character. The almost impenetrable thicket holds a wide variety of plant life, which, in turn, provides excellent cover for many wildlife species. Much of this plant and animal life is rare or endangered, thus nature is in delicate balance throughout this area. The bayou itself is scenic with clear waters flowing over white sand and gravel, with periodic sand and gravel bars coming out of the water. The bayou is very narrow with a well developed riparian canopy. The lower part forms the northern boundary of the Beaumont City Limit and some development exists. Village Creek Village Creek, formed in northwestern Hardin County, joins with Big Sandy Creek then flows southeast where it meets the Neches River near Silsbee. This is free-flowing and passes through the heart of the Big Thicket. The stream flows through cypress swamps, pine and hardwood forests. Because of its remoteness, outstanding scenic qualities, and lack of impoundments, Village Creek retains its wild and pristine characteristics. The upper section of Village Creek consists of still or slow-moving water, which is 20 to 30 feet wide and characterized by overhanging brush, limbs, and an occasional log jam. Large bald cypress trees and fresh water swamps exist just yards back from the creek. Clear waters of the creek flow over white sand and gravel, with almost impenetrable thicket bordering the creek and maintaining a remarkably wide variety of plant life, some of which is rare or endangered. These valuable habitats are very delicate and deserve protection. There are 4 major reservoirs in the basin with a total conservation storage of 3,455,500 acre feet (BEG 1996b). Two of the major reservoirs are located on the Neches River. Lake Palestine is located near the headwaters of the river in Henderson, Smith, Cherokee, and Anderson Counties; and B. A. Steinhagen Lake is located on the lower section in Tyler and Jasper counties. A small reservoir, Rhine Lake, is located above Lake Palestine. The river between Rhine Lake, Lake Palestine, and immediately below Lake Palestine has a limited flow and recreational usage is restricted to periods of heavy rainfall. Reservoirs
Aquifers Major aquifers include the Carrizo-Wilcox and the Gulf Coast (BEG 2001). The Neches River Basin begins in the Carrizo-Wilcox Basin in Van Zandt, Henderson and Smith Counties and journeys southeast to the Gulf Coast Aquifer where it continues to the Gulf of Mexico. Directory: business -> grants -> wildlife -> cwcs -> media -> docs business -> Before the ofice of the secretary u. S. Department of transportation washington, dc business -> Stanley d. Smith contact information business -> Lowe’s Company History from Marketline Advantage business -> Basics: Management Skills for Marketers business -> Going global oddities of globalism business -> Commuter rail operating agreement business -> Prime mover drain cleaning equipment vehicle docs -> Cross Timbers and Prairies Ecoregion Associated Maps docs -> Introduction and Purpose docs -> - Download 3.65 Mb. Share with your friends:
|