Transcript 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.
• Bastrop Bayou- extensive freshwater
wetland habitat
Others
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Brazos River
San Jacinto River
Caney Creek
Carpenters Bayou
Mill Creek
See Texas Parks and Wildlife Webite for
complete listing
Determination of Importance
• Water planning experts determine a river or
stream to be of ecological significance based
upon:
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Biological function
Hydrologic Function
Riparian Conservation Areas
High water quality/exceptional wildlife/aesthetic
value
– Threatened/Endangered Species in the area
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
Hydrologic Function
• Look at what the habitat fringing the
water actually does in terms of
hydrologic functions
– Flood plains
– Flow Stabilization
– Groundwater recharge
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
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
Threatened/Endangered
Species
• Protect areas that are known to be
home to federally protected endangered
or threatened species
• Protects unique or naturally undisturbed
communities
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
Threatened Species in Region
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Houston Toad
Bald Eagle
White-faced Ibis
Black Rail
Wood Stork
Corkwood
For complete listing see Texas Park and
Wildlife website
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
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
Bedias Reservoir
• Located mainly in Madison County
• Includes Bedias and Caney creeks
• Would provide water to lower Trinity and
San Jacinto River Basins
Little River Reservoir
• Located in Milam County within the
Brazos River Basin
• Would span both region G and H to
provide maximum benefits