DistrictCover.fm Page 1 Tuesday, December 30, 2003 11:13 AM In cooperation with the Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Hydrologic, Water-Quality, and Biological Data for Three Water Bodies, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 Open-File Report 03–459 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Report Documentation Page Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. 1. REPORT DATE 2. REPORT TYPE 3. DATES COVERED 2003 N/A - 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER hydrologic, Water-Quality, and Biological Data for Three Water Bodies, 5b. GRANT NUMBER Texas Gulf Coast Plain, 2000-2002 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey 1849 C. Street, REPORT NUMBER NW Washington, DC 20240 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S) 12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release, distribution unlimited 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES The original document contains color images. 14. ABSTRACT 15. SUBJECT TERMS 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF 18. NUMBER 19a. NAME OF ABSTRACT OF PAGES RESPONSIBLE PERSON a. REPORT b. ABSTRACT c. THIS PAGE UU 80 unclassified unclassified unclassified Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic, Water-Quality, and Biological Data for Three Water Bodies, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 By Jeffery W. East and Jennifer L. Hogan U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Open-File Report 03–459 In cooperation with the Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Austin, Texas 2003 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Gale A. Norton, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Charles G. Groat, Director Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. For additional information write to District Chief U.S. Geological Survey 8027 Exchange Dr. Austin, TX 78754–4733 E-mail: [email protected] Copies of this report can be purchased from U.S. Geological Survey Information Services Box 25286 Denver, CO 80225–0286 E-mail: [email protected] ii CONTENTS Abstract ................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose and Scope .................................................................................................................................................... 3 Description of Water Bodies ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Dickinson Bayou ........................................................................................................................................... 3 Armand Bayou .............................................................................................................................................. 3 San Bernard River ......................................................................................................................................... 5 Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................................................... 5 Data Collection .................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Hydrologic Data ....................................................................................................................................................... 8 Water-Quality Data ................................................................................................................................................... 9 Continuously Monitored Water-Quality Properties ...................................................................................... 9 Periodically Collected Water-Quality Properties and Constituents .............................................................. 9 Biological Data ......................................................................................................................................................... 10 Hydrologic Data ................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Water-Quality Data .............................................................................................................................................................. 11 Continuously Monitored Water-Quality Properties .................................................................................................. 11 Periodically Collected Water-Quality Properties and Constituents .......................................................................... 11 Nutrients ........................................................................................................................................................ 20 Chlorophyll-a and Pheophytin ...................................................................................................................... 20 Indicator Bacteria .......................................................................................................................................... 20 Nutrient Yields .............................................................................................................................................. 27 Biological Data .................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Fish Data ................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Data ............................................................................................................................... 33 Habitat Data .............................................................................................................................................................. 33 Summary .............................................................................................................................................................................. 33 References ............................................................................................................................................................................ 34 FIGURES 1–3. Maps showing location of: 1. Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, and rain gages in the area ................................................................................................................................................... 2 2. Sampling stations in Dickinson and Armand Bayous, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 .................. 4 3. Sampling stations in San Bernard River and three tributaries, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 ..... 6 4. Graphs showing rainfall at (a) National Weather Service station, League City, Texas, and (b) National Atmospheric Deposition Program station, Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge near Sealy, Texas, July 2000–September 2002 ....................................................................................................................... 12 5. Hydrographs showing daily mean gage height and time of water-quality sampling at (a) station 08077647 Dickinson Bayou at State Highway 3, Dickinson, Texas, and (b) station 293546095052701 Armand Bayou at Bay Area Boulevard, Pasadena, Texas, July 2000–September 2001 .................................................... 13 6. Hydrographs showing daily mean discharge and time of water-quality sampling at station 08117500 San Bernard River near Boling, Texas, July 2000–September 2002 ........................................................................... 14 7–25. Boxplots showing: 7. Distribution of continuously recorded (15-minute interval) water temperature in (a) Dickinson Bayou, (b) Armand Bayou, and (c) the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, November 2000–August 2001 ..................................................................................................................................... 15 8. Distribution of continuously recorded (15-minute interval) specific conductance in (a) Dickinson Bayou, (b) Armand Bayou, and (c) the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, November 2000–August 2001 ..................................................................................................................................... 16 CONTENTS iii 9. Distribution of continuously recorded (15-minute interval) pH in (a) Dickinson Bayou, (b) Armand Bayou, and (c) the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, November 2000–August 2001 ............ 17 10. Distribution of continuously recorded (15-minute interval) dissolved oxygen in (a) Dickinson Bayou, (b) Armand Bayou, and (c) the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, November 2000–August 2001 ..................................................................................................................................... 18 11. Distribution of continuously recorded (15-minute interval) (a) water temperature, (b) specific conductance, (c) pH, and (d) dissolved oxygen at three depths in Dickinson Bayou, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, December 2000–August 2001 ............................................................................................ 19 12. Distribution of periodically collected (a) ammonia nitrogen, (b) ammonia plus organic nitrogen, (c) nitrite plus nitrate nitrogen, and (d) orthophosphorus concentrations in Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 ................................. 21 13. Distribution of periodically collected (a) ammonia nitrogen, (b) ammonia plus organic nitrogen, (c) nitrite plus nitrate nitrogen, and (d) orthophosphorus concentrations during high- and low-flow conditions in Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 ....................................................................................................................................... 22 14. Seasonal distribution of periodically collected (a) ammonia nitrogen, (b) ammonia plus organic nitrogen, (c) nitrite plus nitrate nitrogen, and (d) orthophosphorus concentrations in Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 ..................... 23 15. Distribution of periodically collected (a) chlorophyll-a and (b) pheophytin concentrations in Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000– 2002 ............................................................................................................................................................ 24 16. Distribution of periodically collected (a) chlorophyll-a and (b) pheophytin concentrations during high- and low-flow conditions in Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 ........................................................................................................ 24 17. Seasonal distribution of periodically collected (a) chlorophyll-a and (b) pheophytin concentrations in Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000– 2002 ............................................................................................................................................................ 25 18. Distribution of periodically collected (a) fecal coliform bacteria and (b) E. coli bacteria densities in Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000– 2002 ............................................................................................................................................................ 25 19. Distribution of periodically collected (a) fecal coliform bacteria and (b) E. coli bacteria densities during high- and low-flow conditions in Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 ............................................................................................. 26 20. Seasonal distribution of periodically collected (a) fecal coliform bacteria and (b) E. coli bacteria densities in Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 .................................................................................................................................................. 26 21. Yields of periodically collected ammonia nitrogen for selected sites in (a) Dickinson Bayou, (b) Armand Bayou, and (c) the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, July 1999–September 2001 ............................................................................................................................................................ 28 22. Yields of periodically collected ammonia plus organic nitrogen for selected sites in (a) Dickinson Bayou, (b) Armand Bayou, and (c) the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, July 1999– September 2001 .......................................................................................................................................... 29 23. Yields of periodically collected nitrite plus nitrate nitrogen for selected sites in (a) Dickinson Bayou, (b) Armand Bayou, and (c) the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, July 1999– September 2001 .......................................................................................................................................... 30 24. Yields of periodically collected orthophosphorus for selected sites in (a) Dickinson Bayou, (b) Armand Bayou, and (c) the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, July 1999–September 2001 ............................................................................................................................................................ 31 25. Yields of periodically collected (a) ammonia nitrogen, (b) ammonia plus organic nitrogen, (c) nitrite plus nitrate nitrogen, and (d) orthophosphorus during high-flow (above base flow) and low-flow (base flow) conditions in Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 ........................................................................................................ 32 iv TABLES 1. Data-collection sites in Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 .................................................................................................................................................. 7 2. Laboratories responsible for analyses of samples collected from Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 ................................................................................... 10 3. Biological sampling frequency in Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain ................................................................................................................................................. 10 4. Periodically collected water-quality properties and constituents at six sites in Dickinson Bayou, July 2000–August 2001 ................................................................................................................................................ 36 5. Periodically collected water-quality properties and constituents at four sites in Armand Bayou, August 2000–July 2001 .................................................................................................................................................... 48 6. Periodically collected water-quality properties and constituents at six sites in the San Bernard River, January 2001–August 2002 .................................................................................................................................. 53 7. Screening levels for selected nutrients ................................................................................................................. 20 8. Fish species collected in Dickinson Bayou, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2001 ............................................ 65 9. Fish species collected in Armand Bayou, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2001 ................................................ 66 10. Fish taxa and counts of individual fish collected in the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 ............................................................................................................................................................ 67 11. Fish community data (metrics) for sites in Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 .................................................................................................................. 68 12. Benthic macroinvertebrate taxa and counts of individual taxa collected in the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 ............................................................................................................................. 69 13. Benthic macroinvertebrate data (metrics) for sites in Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2001 .......................................................................................... 73 14. Physical-habitat data for stream reaches at sites in the San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2001 ............................................................................................................................................................ 74 VERTICAL DATUM Vertical coordinate information is referenced to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29). CONTENTS v Hydrologic, Water-Quality, and Biological Data for Three Water Bodies, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 By Jeffery W. East and Jennifer L. Hogan Abstract centrations of chlorophyll-a and pheophytin, but the largest bacteria densities were in samples col- During July 2000–September 2002, the lected during high flow. Yields of most nutrients U.S. Geological Survey collected and analyzed tended to increase with distance downstream. site-specific hydrologic, water-quality, and biolog- Yields in the San Bernard River and tributaries ical data in Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, were less than yields in Dickinson and Armand and the San Bernard River in the Gulf Coastal Plain Bayous. For Dickinson and Armand Bayous, the of Texas. Segments of the three water bodies are most individuals and species of fish were collected on the State 303(d) list. Continuous monitoring at the most downstream main stem site; for the San showed that seasonal variations in water tempera- Bernard River, the fewest individuals and species ture, specific conductance, pH, and dissolved oxy- of fish were collected at the most downstream main gen in all three water bodies were similar to those stem site. observed at U.S. Geological Survey stations along the Texas Gulf Coast. In particular, water tempera- INTRODUCTION ture and dissolved oxygen are inversely related. Periods of smallest dissolved oxygen concentra- From July 2000 through September 2002, the tions generally occurred in the summer months U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted a study in when water temperatures were highest. Water- cooperation with the Houston-Galveston Area Council quality monitors were deployed at three depths in (H–GAC) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Dickinson Bayou. For periodically collected nutri- Quality (TCEQ) (formerly the Texas Natural Resource ents, the median concentration of ammonia nitro- Conservation Commission) as a part of the Clean Rivers Program. The study involved collection and analysis of gen was largest in Dickinson Bayou and smallest in site-specific hydrologic, water-quality, and biological the San Bernard River. Median concentrations of data in three water bodies in the Gulf Coastal Plain of ammonia plus organic nitrogen, nitrite plus nitrate Texas—Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and the San nitrogen, and orthophosphorus were largest in Bernard River and three of its tributaries (hereinafter Armand Bayou. The median concentration of referred to as the San Bernard River) (fig. 1). each of the four nutrients was larger for high-flow Such data are of interest because segments of the samples than for low-flow samples. The largest three water bodies are on the State 303(d) list. Section individual nutrient concentrations occurred during 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires states to submit spring and summer. Both median and individual to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency annual concentrations of chlorophyll-a were largest for listings of water bodies that are impaired—that is, they Armand Bayou; median concentrations of pheo- do not meet or are not expected to meet applicable phyton were similar for all three water bodies, and TCEQ water-quality standards based on designated uses individual concentrations were largest for Armand of the water bodies. The TCEQ uses water-quality data Bayou. Median densities of fecal coliform bacteria collected by several agencies to determine whether a and E. coli bacteria were similar for all three water water body meets the water-quality standards for its bodies. Flow conditions had minimal effect on con- designated use. Abstract 1 96o 95o MONTGOMERY WASHINGTON I– 4 5 AUSTIN US 290 H O U LSATKOEN LIBERTY 30o 9 5 WALLER A RDEDSIECRKVSOIR US I–10 S R I–10 E SAN BARKER HARRIS Houston MB CoushattaCreek A tN t w aRatietoefnur agPle rWairilidel iCfehicken RESERVOIR ClearI–45AHromrsaenpdenBayou A Nramtuarned CBeanytoeur CHA COLOCROLAORADDOO CGTRru em2e 5B2raWnecsht BernBaErdRN2A9RE1C9DraeFseMkt KBeenrdnlaertdon U SF 5O9BRRTAZ BOSENRDIVERBRSAtaZteO 6RChIocAolate LDeicakginuseon CCBBreaaieytykyoouuC LLEAAKRE StD a te 1IB4CAKY IBNAGYASLOVENSTON RIVER Bayou GALVESTO6N Galveston Boling WHARTON FM 1301 RIVER East Columbia TRES West Columbia Sta 29o LAKE PALACIOS te 288 GULF OF MEXICO TEXANA JACKSON RIVE MATAGORDA R Base from U.S. Geological Survey Digital data: 1:100,000 0 20 40 60 MILES Universal Transverse Mercator projection Zone 15 EXPLANATION Basin TEXAS National Weather Service rain gage Study area National Atmospheric Deposition Program rain gage LOCATION MAP Figure 1. Location of Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and San Bernard River, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, and rain gages in the area. 2 Hydrologic, Water-Quality, and Biological Data for Three Water Bodies, Texas Gulf Coastal Plain, 2000–2002 Section 303(d) further requires states to develop which starts 1.2 mi downstream of Farm Road 517 and total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for impaired water flows 16.4 mi to the Dickinson Bayou confluence with bodies. TMDLs set maximum amounts of pollutants Dickinson Bay. Flow regimes in the two reaches are that a water body can receive and still meet water- markedly different. The above-tidal reach is a relatively quality standards. Site-specific data thus are needed to shallow stream (about 1 to 3 feet [ft] deep) with moving define spatial and temporal variations in water-quality water, whereas the tidal reach is a predominantly deep properties and constituents and in biological indicators channel (about 5 to 20 ft deep) with very sluggish flow. of water quality. These data can contribute to a more Streamside vegetation also is different. The above-tidal complete understanding of water-quality conditions in a reach is characterized by dense, riparian vegetation that given water body and can indicate how appropriate limits sunlight exposure, whereas vegetation in the tidal State criteria are for that water body. reach is less dense, which allows more exposure to sun- light. The topography of the watershed slopes gently Purpose and Scope toward the bayou. Land-surface altitude varies from about 50 ft above sea level in the west to sea level at the The purpose of this report is to present hydro- mouth of the bayou. Soils primarily are clays or loams logic, water-quality, and biological data collected from with low permeability. Dickinson Bayou, Armand Bayou, and the San Bernard River during July 2000–September 2002. Tables and Land use varies from farmland and rangeland to graphs present hydrologic data and water-quality concentrated residential and commercial development. properties that were collected at one site (station) in The areas with the largest percentage of development each of the three study areas at 15-minute intervals. are those near Dickinson and League City. About 10 Tables and graphs present water-quality properties and percent of the basin is urban, 15 percent is pasture, and constituents sampled monthly at six sites in Dickinson the remaining 75 percent is rural (East and others, Bayou, every other month at four sites in Armand 1998). Field inspections during the current study indi- Bayou, and every other month at six sites in the San Ber- cate that appreciable urban development near Dickinson nard River. Tables present fish, benthic macroinverte- has occurred since 1990, so it is likely that the percent- brate, and stream-habitat data that were collected in or age of the basin that is urban is greater than 10 percent. computed for each of the three water bodies. Biological In 1992, Dickinson Bayou was designated as data for Dickinson and Armand Bayous presented pre- “water-quality limited” by the Texas Water Commission viously in Hogan (2002) is referred to but not repeated (1992, p. 391). This designation means that stream- in this report. monitoring data indicated that surface-water-quality standards are not being met. In 2002, both stream seg- Description of Water Bodies ments were on the State 303(d) list because of elevated bacteria levels; segment 1103 (Dickinson Bayou tidal) Dickinson Bayou also was listed because of small dissolved oxygen con- Dickinson Bayou is about 25 miles (mi) southeast centrations (Texas Commission on Environmental of Houston (fig. 2). The bayou is about 24 river miles Quality, 2002). long and is within Galveston County, although the west- ernmost part of the 106-square-mile (mi2) drainage area Armand Bayou (watershed) is in Brazoria County. All or parts of the cit- ies of Dickinson, Alvin, Friendswood, Santa Fe, League Armand Bayou is about 20 mi southeast of Hous- City, and Texas City are in the watershed. ton, north of Dickinson Bayou (fig. 2). Armand Bayou Dickinson Bayou flows eastward toward Dickin- is about 14 river miles long and has a drainage area of son Bay, a secondary bay of the Galveston Bay system. about 63 mi2, which includes the drainage area of Dickinson Bayou is part of the San Jacinto-Brazos Horsepen Bayou, a major tributary to Armand Bayou. Coastal Basin and comprises two stream segments as The watershed, which is within Harris County, contains defined by TCEQ. Stream segment 1104 is the Dickin- parts of the cities of Pasadena and Clear Lake, as well as son Bayou above-tidal reach, which flows 7.3 mi from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Farm Road 528 to 1.2 mi downstream of Farm Road (NASA) Johnson Space Center, Ellington Air Field, and 517. Segment 1103 is the Dickinson Bayou tidal reach, the Bayport petrochemical complex. INTRODUCTION 3