Record Display for the EPA National Library Catalog

RECORD NUMBER: 18 OF 276

Main Title Arroyo Colorado Watershed Protection Plan Implementation Project. Final Report.
Author T. A. Berthold ; J. Flores
CORP Author Texas Water Resources Inst., College Station.; Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Austin, TX.; Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.
Year Published 2011
Report Number TR-411
Stock Number PB2012-105591
Additional Subjects Protection plans ; Watersheds ; Texas ; Environmental indicators ; Milestones ; Loading reductions ; Water quality ; Goals ; Arroyo Colorado Watershed ; Partnership sustainability
Holdings
Library Call Number Additional Info Location Last
Modified
Checkout
Status
NTIS  PB2012-105591 Some EPA libraries have a fiche copy filed under the call number shown. 07/26/2022
Collation 43p
Abstract
The Arroyo Colorado (AC) is an ancient channel of the Rio Grande that extends eastward for about 90 miles from near the city of Mission, Texas through southern Hidalgo County to the city of Harlingen in Cameron County, eventually discharging into the Laguna Madre near the Cameron-Willacy County line. Since 1996, the AC has been impaired for low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels within the tidal segment; not meeting the aquatic life use designated by the State of Texas and described in the Water Quality Standards. In addition, bacteria has always been a parameter of concern and as of 2006, the AC became impaired due to elevated levels. Developed by the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership (ACWP), the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Protection Plan: Phase I (ACWPP) is a comprehensive watershed-based strategy created to address these impairments; however, it primarily addresses the low DO levels in the tidal segment of the AC. The goal of the ACWPP is to reduce the addition of pollutants such as oxygen-demanding substances, nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment to the AC and to improve natural habitat to the degree necessary to meet the uses designated by the State of Texas. Although not specifically targeted for reduction, fecal bacteria loading to the AC is also expected to diminish as a secondary effect. The ACWPP takes into consideration the current uses of the waterbody, including flood control, navigation, conveyance of municipal/industrial wastewater discharges and irrigation return flows, recreation, and environmental uses and presents a detailed strategy to restore and protect these uses. Furthermore, the plan describes the institutional framework for current management programs and proposes a strategy for improving management of water quality in the future for the AC.