BASINBASIN HIGHLIGHTSHIGHLIGHTS REPORTREPORT 20072007 Lower Basin/ Neches-Trinity Coastal Basin

Lower Neches Valley Authority

Prepared in cooperation with the Commission on Environmental Quality under the authorization of the Texas Clean Rivers Act Page 2 Basin Highlights Report

2006 Basin Highlights

Since 1933, the Lower Neches Major Flooding in October 2006 Valley Authority Record flooding occurred in the lower Neches Basin during Octo- (LNVA) has ber 2006. Nine counties in southeast Texas were declared disas- been develop- ter areas and flooding forced many residents from their homes. ing and protect- The Neches River was 8 feet above flood stage in Beaumont, and ing the valuable Village Creek crested at 28.3 feet on Oct. 19 which was near the water resources record high (34.0) set in 1915. The National Guard was called in in the Lower to assist residents living near Pine Island Bayou, Village Creek and Neches River the Neches River. basin. LNVA provides surface Monthly rainfall totals in the region reached record levels due to water to munici- rain events from Oct. 15-31. Several areas received more than pal, agricultural, 600 percent of their normal rainfall for the month. Table 1 below and industrial shows the Oct. 2006 monthly rainfall totals compared to the nor- customers mal amounts for three cities in the lower Neches River basin. through an ex- Figure 1. Village Creek flows over Hwy. 327 tensive canal near Silsbee, TX on Oct. 21, 2006. system fed by the Neches River and Pine Island Bayou. LNVA joined the Texas Clean Rivers Program (CRP) after it was created by the Texas Legis- Pine Island Bayou UAA lature in 1991. The goal of the program is to preserve and im- In 2006, it was mother nature who once again postponed the prove the quality of water resources in river basins throughout Pine Island Bayou Use Attainability Analysis (UAA). The study was the State of Texas. not scheduled in 2006 due to high flows and flooding conditions The Lower Neches Valley Authority coordinates the CRP for the during the index period (March 15—Oct. 15). The UAA will re- assessment area encompassing the Neches-Trinity Coastal Basin (7) and the lower Neches River Basin (6), while the Angelina & Neches River Authority (ANRA) handles the same responsibilities in the upper portion of the basin. During 2006, LNVA went through a transition period with their environmental staff. David Hancock was hired as the Environ- mental Supervisor to manage LNVA’s Clean Rivers Program and the Environmental Laboratory. He was previously the Environ- mental Division Manager at ANRA where he served as the CRP Project Manager for the Upper Neches River Basin. He has over 10 years experience working in the Neches River Basin with the Texas Clean Rivers Program. Figure 2. LNVA, TCEQ and NP staff participated in the Lower Neches Basin Highlights in 2006 included: Pine Island Bayou UAA study in Sept. 2005. Photo by Greg Bryant

⇒ Major flooding in October 2006 sume in 2007 with 2-3 planned sampling events to be scheduled during ideal flow conditions in the Pine Island Bayou watershed. ⇒ Pine Island Bayou Use Attainability Analysis (UAA) LNVA continues to collect 24-hour measurements at five stations ⇒ The Academy of Natural Sciences, Lower Neches River Report in the Pine Island Bayou watershed to support the UAA. Table 2 on the following page shows the 24-hour dissolved oxygen (DO) ⇒ Environmental Laboratory Accreditation results from 2006. At all five stations, the DO mean values were below the 24-hour average criteria (5.0 mg/L) at least once during ⇒ 2006 Water Quality Inventory and 303(d) List the index period. One station, Pine Island Bayou at SH 105, was below the criteria for both monitoring events. This 24-hour moni- toring effort will continue in 2007 at all five stations. Two events Location Total Normal Departure Percent of will be scheduled during the UAA and two more will be com- Rainfall Rainfall from Normal pleted during the index period. At least one-half to two-thirds of Normal all 24-hour measurements must be collected during the critical period (July 1– Sept. 30) when minimum stream flows, maximum Kountze, TX 32.03 5.09 26.94 629 % temperatures and minimum DO concentrations typically occur. Historically, dissolved oxygen concentrations in Segment 607 Jasper, TX 22.31 4.02 18.29 555 % have not met the DO criteria established by the TCEQ. The UAA study will try to discern if the observed low DO values in Pine Is- Woodville, TX 20.46 3.02 17.44 677 % land Bayou are naturally occurring and if it adversely affects the (Continued on page 3) Table 1. October 2006 Rainfall Totals (inches) Page 3 Basin Highlights Report

2006 Basin Highlights

(Continued from page 2) The 2003 study reveals stable or slightly improved water quality over the past 20 years. The number of fish species recorded equaled the 1996 study and the number at each station was Station Station 2006 greater in 2003 than in 1973 at all stations. The algal community Location ID Dates Mean Max. Min. is more balanced with the presence of more diatoms than blue- May 16-17 5.4 5.8 5.2 green algae, and the numbers of macroinvertebrate species con- Little Pine Island tinue to increase. Elevated fecal coliform levels and low dissolved Bayou at SH 326 15346 Sept. 12-13 1.3 2.1 0.3 oxygen values near the river’s bottom were noted. Both nutrients and metals in water were below established screening levels for May 16-17 6.1 6.4 5.9 Little Pine Island the river segment. The overall conditions of the water quality Bayou at Woodway 20069 Sept. 12-13 3.5 5.2 2.6 were good and supporting a healthy biological community. May 16-17 4.7 7.2 2.3 Funding for the sample analyses during the study was provided Pine Island Bayou at by the Clean Rivers Program. Other sponsors included the Lower SH 105/FM 770 15367 Sept. 13-14 4.5 7.1 2.2 Neches Valley Authority, Jefferson County Waterway & Naviga- May 16-17 5.1 5.6 4.7 tion District, ExxonMobil, and DuPont. The Academy’s 2003 Pine Island Bayou at Lower Neches River non-technical report is available on-line at: Old Sour Lake Rd 10607 Sept. 13-14 4.2 4.8 3.9 http://www.ansp.org/research/pcer/projects/neches/index.php May 16-17 2.7 3.8 1.7 Pine Island Bayou at Laboratory Accreditation US Hwy 69 10602 Sept. 12-13 7.6 9.9 5.6 The LNVA Environmental Laboratory is currently preparing for Table 2. Pine Island Bayou & Little Pine Island Bayou 24-hour Dis- accreditation from the TCEQ. The state has adopted the National solved Oxygen (mg/L) results in 2006. Red font indicates values Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) to ac- below the 24-hour average criteria (5.0 mg/L) for high aquatic life credit all laboratories in Texas. Accreditation is designed to ensure use perennial streams assigned to both water bodies. that laboratories are technically competent and able to generate technically valid results. The key elements of the program include a laboratory quality system, proficiency testing, on-site inspections, aquatic community. Once the study is complete, the data will be and regulatory oversight. evaluated and the determination made if site-specific stream stan- dards should be developed and submitted to the EPA for ap- During 2006, LNVA entered into an agreement with Shepherd proval. Technical Services to provide laboratory consulting services in preparation for NELAP. The accreditation process includes devel-

oping new and revised Standard Operating Procedures, docu- menting all aspects of the laboratory operation in a QA Manual, The Academy of Natural Sciences’ and satisfactorily completing two Proficiency Testing (PT) Studies each year. A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

Lower Neches River Report was recently implemented to assist with the data management The Patrick Center for Environmental Research of The Academy of aspects of the laboratory operation. LNVA plans to submit an Natural Sciences issued their final report on the Lower Neches application for accreditation to the TCEQ in 2007. River. The report details findings from the Academy’s latest bio- logical and water quality survey on the Lower Neches River during 2006 Texas Water Quality Inventory October 2003. Previous studies by the Academy were conducted in 1953, 1956, 1960, 1973, and 1996. and 303(d) List The Draft 2006 Water Quality Inventory and 303(d) List was com- pleted and presented for public comment on March 19, 2007. The period of record for water quality data and information used in the 2006 report is Dec. 1, 1999 to Nov. 30, 2004. After review- ing all public comments, TCEQ may revise the document based on any new information provided. The revised Draft Inventory will be finalized by TCEQ in late June and sent to the EPA for approval. Additional information and the most current assessment docu- ments are currently available on the TCEQ website at: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/monitoring/water/ quality/data/06twqi/public_comment.html In the Lower Neches Basin, there are 20 new listings on the Draft 303(d) List. The new listings are primarily for dissolved aluminum, dissolved lead, and bacteria. A complete list of water quality im- pairments and concerns in the basin is available in the Water Figure 3. Biological specimens are collected during The Academy Quality Conditions by Segment section beginning on page 6. of Natural Sciences’ Lower Neches River Study in Oct. 2003. Page 4 Basin Highlights Report

Water Quality Monitoring Programs Each year the LNVA, TCEQ, and other basin agencies discuss the ⇒ Little Pine Island Bayou at SH 326 water quality monitoring activities in the Lower Neches River Ba- sin (basin 6) and the Neches-Trinity Coastal Basin (basin 7). This ⇒ Little Pine Island Bayou at Woodway Blvd. in Pinewood annual Coordinated Monitoring Meeting initiates the planning and development of the basin-wide monitoring schedules. ⇒ Pine Island Bayou at SH 105/FM 770 LNVA Monitoring Program ⇒ Pine Island Bayou at Old Sour Lake Rd. ⇒ Pine Island Bayou at US 69/96/287 LNVA’s routine monitoring program provides baseline water qual- ity data for the Lower Neches River and Neches-Trinity Coastal Basins. The current FY 2007 monitoring schedule includes 18 Future Monitoring routine sites which provide adequate coverage in the basin (see As weather and flow conditions allow, systematic monitoring (24- map/table below). The data is collected on a quarterly basis at hour measurements) will continue in FY 2008 to support the Pine each station and is used to identify long-term trends and assess Island Bayou UAA. One routine station on Cypress Creek will be the overall water quality conditions in the basin. added in response to the 2006 Water Quality Inventory assess- Systematic monitoring is a more intensive data collection effort for ment results. LNVA will also monitor six routine stations at Sam parameters of concern. Systematic monitoring for FY 2007 in- Rayburn Reservoir during FY 2008. cludes 24-hour dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements at five sta- The National Park Service (NPS) and LNVA are working together tions in Segment 607, Pine Island Bayou. The following systematic to incorporate new long-term monitoring stations located on ma- stations were monitored in FY 2006 and are scheduled for 24- jor tributaries in the Big Thicket National Preserve. NPS will fund

hour measurements during FY 2007. these additional CRP monitoring stations to start building a base-

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W 10610

H

Legend S

S T op A U T E REC RD 255 H US W F HW Y op M Y 6 3

LNVA Routine Monitoring Stations 28 3 Y 6 9 7 W F H 4 TE 2 M STA

1

7

50 4 F M 2799

7 3 2 7 FM 6 Jasper op 4 M FM 5 TCEQ Region 10 Monitoring Stations F 1 7 4 7

6 1 0 F 9 2 5 M Y 1 M 2 M F 56 HW 15344 F US Counties op 10484op FM 942 F M

2 Roads 5 942 op 5 FM 6 1746 0 FM 0 F 1 M M

2 F 5 0 Cities 0 15353 U S H op W Y

Lakes/Reservoirs 6 FM 10 10581 9 15356 13 FM op 1 op 2 7

6 D R

Station ID LNVA Routine Monitoring Stations

C

C 04 10669 Taylor Bayou at Labelle Rd. (Basin 7) FM 19 10 43 FM F 1004 M 943 FM 15355 10687 Hillebrandt Bayou at SH 124 (Basin 7) 15349 6 9 F FM M 2827 op op Y

2 F W 7 M 15346 Little Pine Island Bayou at SH 326 H 9 RD 8 94 S 3 G U S OR EST FM 3 O T 0 6 R A 3 E 15343 Neches River near Lakeview R T D E F

M H F W M 9 9 2 10607 Pine Island Bayou at Old Sour Lake Rd Y 4

1 3

4

H 6 15367 Pine Island Bayou at FM 770 W FM 253 03 Y 0 1 9 2 FM M S 12 93 T F FM N D 4 A 15345 Willow Creek at Unnamed Rd near Nome R 18 M 4 T F 1 W op E F E 8 N st M H 13625 W

10599 Pine Island Bayou at LNVA 1 Lift Station 1 0 Y 0 WY 327 F H 6 3 ATE FM M ST op 2 2 24 7 6 8 7 Evadale 10602 Pine Island Bayou at US 69/96/287 0 7 F 7 U F M S M

6 H 1

2 0 10484 Sandy Creek at FM 777 W 5 3 Y op Y 15367 6 9 W

H 15344 Wolf Creek at FM 256 op E

T U

7 A S 15343 T H S 0 H T 10610 Angelina River at SH 63 7 S W

W A M op Y T F 15346 Y 1 F 13 1 E

M 0 H 7 6 10602

9 W 7 2 13625 Village Creek at FM 418 1 op 1 Y 0 Y M 0 D op 10599 W 6 8 F AM R H R op E 2 AT T ST 15355 Beech Creek at FM 1943 STATE HWY 105 A I 10

K

N

E N 10607 I Beaumont 15356 Turkey Creek at FM 1013 T S

H F T

M op R AVE 1 15345 D ER op 05 8 D 5 0 L F FM 10 15349 Hickory Creek at US 69 0 160 CA FM M 1 op

0 Y 9 WA IN LVD 1 M US HW SH GTON B F 1 4 15353 Big Sandy Creek at US 190 0 WALDEN RD 10687 op 2FM 1 S HWY 9 442 F U

S S M op T M P U

1 A I O S 4 T 10581 Neches River at FM 1013 T R H 0 T E H T 9 W S R A H Y D R L op W T 6 L F H M Y 9 A op op U N S

5 6 R 5 T 6 6 L

1 T 3 3 A R A S Y T D B H E 4 W T 2 E H 9

L 3 op H 1

L W 0 Y FM 365 E op T W HWY 365 1 W Port Arthur S Y I H R R

1 E D E 4 T T 6 A 10669 C HAMSHIR E T O S R R op P RD D M 5 6 F 6 1663 op 5 FM 0 56 5 M 4 73 1 F F F Y 03 6 12 18 24 F HW M E M M TAT 5 M S

6 F

1 Miles 3 1 7 4 op 2 1 op ´ 4 0 op Page 5 Basin Highlights Report

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6 Jasper FM 1 74 5 6 Y 0 5 F M 19 2 W 2 Y M 56 HW Legend F H US

S U op U S op H W F Y op M 10582 LNVA Routine Monitoring Stations 28 7 2 5 op 5 6 1746 0 FM 0 1 F M M F op TCEQ Region 10 Monitoring Stations 2 5 0 op0 FM 1 Counties 013 FM op 1 op 2

7 D

6

R

C Roads C 4 00 FM 194 1 3 FM FM 1004 F M 943 6 9 Cities F F M M 2827 Y F op op 2 W 7 M R H 9 D 8 9 43 GOREST S FM O U 30 R 63 E Lakes/Reservoirs R D F F M

M 9 9 2 4 3

H

Station ID TCEQ Routine Monitoring Stations W 03 Y FM 2 53 0 1 9 FM 2 12 M 10485 Star Lake Canal 0.4 KM Upstream of the Neches River 93 F F M N RD 418 M 4 F S F 1 op T EW 8 M N A 10580 T 10563 Neches River at SH 87 Bridge North of Pt. Arthur 1 E 0 F 0 FM H M 3 2 70 op 2 W 7 4 7 FM 6 8 10566 Neches River at Port Neches City Park 7 Y

Evadale 6 U F 2 S M 6 10609 H 10570 Neches River 0.5 mile below Mobil Canal 2 1 0 3 W 5 Y Y op

6 10575 Neches River bridge at I-10 near Beaumont W 9 H op E T H 7 S A W 0 S T T 10580 Neches River at US 96 East of Silsbee 7 T Y A S S F A op 1 M T M 1 T T 31 E F E A 1 0 T 1 7 H 12 E 3 H 10582 B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir near dam 7 W op 0 W Y Y D W H R op H Y M 1 AM W 0 E F R op 8 T 5 T A Y T 7 S 6 10609 Village Creek at US 96 South of Silsbee 2 A

K I 10

N

E

N I T Beaumont W PARK F A S H RD 10575 10642 Shallow Prong Lake on Big Hill Bayou M VE T op 1 op 05 FM 105 FM 160 op 10668 Taylor Bayou at SH 73 West of Pt. Arthur 90 WA LVD 10570 F 6 US HWY SHINGTON B M 100 D S 90 WALDEN R op FM 14 HWY 42 T US S P M 10640 Taylor Bayou approx. 0.25 miles North of Intracoastal A op U O

T I S T R E 10566 H H T W Canal H A R 10563

W R Y D op F T 6 M Y H 9

op op U 5 6 6 L R 10652 Taylor Bayou turning basin at Texaco dock 1 A 10683 3 R B AMP 4 10685 D R 2 E 1 L op 17426 Intercoastal Waterway at the Jefferson/Chambers Co. Y FM 365 L HWY 365 T E opW S W Port Arthur H R R E

E D T Line East of SH 124 T C A T O S R 6 op P

FM 1663 0 op 10683 Sabine/Neches Canal adjacent to Topco docks 4 73 1 WY F F H M ATE M T 10652 5 I 1 M S

6 0 10642 F 3 S 1 op T 4 10685 Hillebrandt Bayou at Hillebrandt Rd. near Lovell Lake opA 1 op 0 T STATE HWY 65 E F H M W

5 Y 6 8

S 2 7

T FAIRVIEW RD A FM 29 36 SYKES RD T

E

H

W

Y

FM 1985 1 2

4 op 17426

03 6 12 18 24 ´ Miles

U S 0 3 H po 11 W FM

Y

6 H S

9 W T Y F 11 A (Continued from page 4) 31 M T 1 1 E 3

0 H

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po 8 D R 7 AM TR FM po 1 F 1 M 2 3 U 1 1 13 Y 0 S 2 W H H E line database of the ambient, surface water quality conditions in the T M W A T E H S Y E E F K 6 L M

9 B S

I G 0 3 I 1 D STATE HWY 105 2

R R Preserve. The NPS is utilizing LNVA’s Clean Rivers Program to collect I 10 4 D E LUCAS DR 7

Beaumont ORANGE ST 2

6

Y FOLSOM DR 0 P

P W M I 1 R A I

TERRY RD H N valuable, quality assured data for their own water quality manage- W PARK ST E E A R DELAW AR E V

N T

D E

S

A

1 T T

R 10575

1

S O YS AVE T J GLAD

H ment plans. This additional data will be included in future water A po

R AVE S M E AVE LD T 105 W WESTERN CA HWY PHE LVD LAN B FM 105 FM 105 FM 105 US HWY 90 S quality assessments conducted by LNVA and TCEQ.

4

T

H H

F

6 I M

S 0

WASHINGTON BLVD G 10570 10 R T H 1 FM D 1 L 4 A

R po 2 D N O R J WALDEN RD D FM 1 H A 44 C A 2 N

M V E U po ROUND B E S S T A TE H W Y 4 2 34 1 7 Y B W E 10566 H L

L E T E

A D po T R T P R

S S D O TCEQ Regional Monitoring Program K 10485 10563

T R C T O A D L T T A S L

N R 2 A B R 7 L FM 3 N po po U 6 A T L 6 L T P H A T E R H S I W S N C B U T R I T E R D

T L H

RD R S W L

I T D A Y The TCEQ Region 10 Office located in Beaumont conducts surface H T 3 E 6 H 6 5 W 6 U Y 10683 3 S 3 T Y H 9 4 RAMP W TH 7 S W Y A H po H T water quality monitoring in the Lower Neches River and Neches- 10685 69 VE 9 3

L po

AB FM 365 Trinity Coastal Basins. Their monitoring program consists of routine EL W HWY 365 Port Arthur L

J

E A

D 7 T R 8 S E D Y R

A E W T V H C

baseline monitoring, diurnal (24-hour) DO measurements, and spe- E E T O 10668 A R T P ST S po AT E H cial studies to address specific water quality issues. W po Y 2 14 S PU R

3 WY 7 During FY 2007, the Region 10 staff is monitoring 15 routine sta- ATE H ST 10640 po 10652 tions in the basin which are included on the maps and table above. po 10642 po

S They are also conducting special studies at five stations and collect- T A T E

H W ing 24-hour measurements at one station. The special studies con- Y 82 sist of metals in sediment sampling at stations 10485, 10563, 10566,

8 TH (Continued on page 6) ST Page 6 Basin Highlights Report

(Continued from page 5) present in the water

10570, 10575 and organics in water and sediment at station Total Dissolved Solids - measures the amount of minerals, salts, 10563. The metals in sediment are sampled quarterly and the metals, cations or anions dissolved in the water organics biannually. The diurnal (24-hour) monitoring is a special Total Phosphorus - measures all chemical forms of phosphorus study carry over from FY 06 and consists of one event at station 10485. All routine monitoring is quarterly and includes field meas- Total Suspended Solids – measures the amount of all particles sus- urements, conventional parameters, and bacteria. pended in water that will not pass through a filter For more information on the current (FY 2007) monitoring sched- Turbidity – measures the clarity or cloudiness of the water ule, please visit the Clean Rivers Program statewide coordinated Field Parameters monitoring schedule at http://cms.lcra.org/. Water Temperature – affects the metabolic rates of aquatic organ- LNVA Routine Monitoring Parameters isms and plants Conventional Parameters pH –measures the acidity of the water which affects the solubility, and therefore the toxicity of chemicals and metals Alkalinity – measures the buffering capacity of water which helps a solution resist changes in pH caused by the addition of an acid Conductivity – is the measure of electrical current carrying capac- or base thereby maintaining an appropriate pH range for aquatic ity of water and is used to measure the amount of dissolved solids habitat and salts in the water Hardness – measures divalent ions, salts such as calcium and mag- Dissolved Oxygen (DO) – the amount of oxygen available to nesium, in association with carbonates aquatic organisms and is the single most important indicator of a water body’s ability to support desirable aquatic life Nitrogen (Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite) – measures the nutrient levels in the water related to the decomposition of organic material Secchi Depth – measures the clarity or transparency of water Sulfate- measures the amount of water soluble sulfur present in Additional Parameters the water Bacteria – Measures the amount of pathogens (E. coli in fresh wa- Chloride – measures the ionized, water soluble form of chlorine ter, Enterococci in marine water) present in the water Water Quality Conditions by Segment The Texas Water Quality Inventory and 303(d) List is a comprehen- ⇒ Fully supports aquatic life use sive assessment report of the surface water quality data in Texas. This Assessment Report is published every two years and is based ⇒ Fully supports general use criteria on the last five years of available water quality data. Data is screened in accordance with the latest Guidance for Assessing ⇒ Fully supports contact recreation use Texas Surface and Finished Drinking Water Quality Data. ⇒ Fully supports public water supply use Water bodies on the 303(d) List are not meeting current water quality standards and therefore do not support their designated ⇒ No concerns for nutrients uses. Water bodies may also have concerns for use attainment ⇒ Concern for Malathion (lower portion) and established screening levels which are reported in the Texas Water Quality Inventory or 305(b) Report. A detailed list of the Segment 0602: Lower Neches River impairments and concerns from the Draft 2006 Texas Water Qual- ity Inventory and 303(d) List is provided on pages 5-8 for all seg- Segment 0602 includes the Neches River from a point 7.0 miles ments in the Lower Neches River and Neches-Trinity Coastal Ba- upstream of Interstate 10 in Orange/Jefferson County to Town sins. Bluff Dam in Jasper/Tyler County. Based on the Draft 2006 As- sessment Report there is a concern for mercury in fish tissue in Note: Italicized text indicates changes in the assessment results Segment 0602 and an impairment for depressed dissolved oxygen from the revised report issued by TCEQ on June 27, 2007. in Booger Branch (Segment 0602A). Segment 0601: Neches River Tidal Draft 2006 Assessment results:

The Neches River Tidal segment is from the confluence with Sa- ⇒ Fully supports aquatic life use bine Lake in Orange County to a point 11.3 km (7.0 miles) up- stream of Interstate 10. The segment is highly industrialized and ⇒ Fully supports general use criteria consists primarily of a 40 ft. deep navigation channel from the mouth of the river to the . Star Lake Canal ⇒ Fully supports contact recreation use (0601A) is an unclassified water body in the watershed. Based on the Draft 2006 Assessment Report, there is a concern for chronic ⇒ Fully supports public water supply use toxic substances in water (Malathion) in the lower portion of the ⇒ No concerns for nutrients segment. TCEQ region 10 continues to monitor organics in water at Station 10563–Neches River at SH 87 to address the concern. ⇒ Concern for mercury in fish tissue (Neches River) LNVA does not currently monitor in this segment. ⇒ Not supporting aquatic life use in Booger Branch (0602A) Draft 2006 Assessment results: due to depressed dissolved oxygen Page 7 Basin Highlights Report Water Quality Conditions (Lower Neches River Basin) Segment 0603: B.A. Steinhagen Lake Segment 0608: Village Creek

B.A. Steinhagen Lake constitutes the segment up to the normal The Village Creek segment is from the confluence with the Neches pool elevation of 83 feet. Major tributaries to the segment include River in Hardin Co. to Lake Kimble Dam. The watershed is approxi- both the Angelina and Neches Rivers. LNVA monitors Sandy mately 1,113 square miles and includes Beech Creek, Big Sandy Creek and Wolf Creek in Segment 0603 for the Clean Rivers Pro- Creek, Cypress Creek, Hickory Creek, Mill Creek, Turkey Creek, and gram. TCEQ monitors one site near the dam on the main pool. Lake Kimble. LNVA currently monitors five stations in the seg- The Texas Department of Health issued a fish consumption advi- ment. Impairments and concerns include low pH, metals in water sory in 1995 after elevated levels of mercury were found in large- (aluminum, lead), bacteria (E. coli), depressed DO, and mercury in mouth bass, freshwater drum, white bass or hybrid/striped bass. fish tissue. LNVA will continue monitoring in the segment. Elevated levels of E. coli bacteria in Sandy Creek and Wolf Creek Draft 2006 Assessment results: are likely due to non-point sources. LNVA will continue monitor- ing E. coli bacteria in the segment. ⇒ General use is not supported for low pH in Village Creek and is a concern for Beech Creek (0608A) and Cypress Creek (0608C) Draft 2006 Assessment results: ⇒ Aquatic life use is not supported for depressed DO in Cypress ⇒ Fully supports the aquatic life use Creek (0608C) and Mill Creek (0608E)

⇒ Concerns for mercury in fish tissue ⇒ Not supporting the aquatic life use for dissolved metals in water at Village Creek (Al, Pb), Beech Creek (Pb), Cypress ⇒ No concerns for nutrients Creek (Al, Pb), Hickory Creek (Pb), Turkey Creek (Pb), data removed for all segments (Cypress Creek still listed for alumi- ⇒ Not supporting contact recreation use in Sandy Creek num in water) (0603A) and Wolf Creek (0603B) ⇒ Contact recreation use is not supported for bacteria (E. coli) at ⇒ Dissolved lead in water, Sandy Creek (0603A), data removed Beech Creek, Big Sandy Creek, Cypress Creek, and Turkey for segment Creek

⇒ Fish consumption use is not supported at Lake Kimble Segment 0607: Pine Island Bayou (0608G) and is a concern at Village Creek due to mercury in fish tissue The Pine Island Bayou segment is from the confluence of the Neches River in Hardin/Jefferson County to FM 787 in Hardin ⇒ No concerns for nutrients in this segment County. The segment is a low gradient, sluggish stream with dis- charge subject to seasonal variance in rainfall. This segment in- cludes Pine Island Bayou, Little Pine Island Bayou, and Willow Segment 0609: Angelina River below Sam Creek. Low dissolved oxygen (DO) values persist throughout the segment. TCEQ initiated the Use Attainability Analysis (UAA) in Rayburn Reservoir 2005 to determine if the current high aquatic life use standard is appropriate. Waterbodies are not supporting the aquatic life use The Angelina River below Sam Rayburn Reservoir begins at the for depressed DO, dissolved aluminum in water and dissolved lead Sam Rayburn Dam in Jasper County and continues to a point im- in water throughout the segment. LNVA will continue collecting mediately upstream of the confluence of Indian Creek in Jasper 24-hour DO measurements to support the UAA and monitoring County. The water quality in this segment is very good and all dissolved metals in water at all LNVA routine stations. uses are fully supported. LNVA continues to monitor one station in the segment. Historical assessments have indicated a possible Draft 2006 Assessment results: concern for low dissolved oxygen. However, the 2006 Assess- ment shows the segment is fully supporting the aquatic life use for ⇒ Not supporting the aquatic life use due to depressed dis- all parameters, including DO. solved oxygen in Pine Island Bayou, Boggy Creek (0607A), Little Pine Island Bayou (0607B), and Willow Creek (0607C)

⇒ Not supporting the aquatic life use due to metals in water (Al Draft 2006 Assessment results: & Pb) for Pine Island Bayou, Little Pine Island Bayou, and Wil- ⇒ Fully supports the aquatic life use low Creek (Al only), data removed for all segments ⇒ Fully supports the contact recreation use ⇒ Not supporting contact recreation use (E. coli) in Little Pine Island Bayou (0607B) ⇒ Fully supports the fish consumption use

⇒ General use criteria is fully supported ⇒ Fully supports the general use criteria

⇒ No concerns for nutrients in this segment ⇒ Fully supports public water supply use ⇒ No concerns for nutrients in this segment Page 8 Basin Highlights Report Water Quality Conditions (Neches-Trinity Coastal Basin) Segment 0701: Taylor Bayou Segment 0703: Sabine-Neches Canal Tidal

Taylor Bayou is located in the Neches-Trinity Coastal Basin (basin The Sabine-Neches Canal Tidal segment is from the confluence 7) and flows from the LNVA canal in Jefferson County to the salt- with Sabine Pass at the southern tip of Pleasure Island in Jefferson water lock 4.8 miles downstream of SH 73 in Jefferson County. Co. to the Sabine Lake seawall at the northern tip of Pleasure Is- The waterbody is relatively deep (8-13 ft.) with a low gradient and land. The segment is fully supporting all uses and there are no sluggish flow. The segment is not supporting the aquatic life use water quality concerns. TCEQ Region 10 continues routine moni- for depressed dissolved oxygen, aluminum in water, and lead in toring at one station in the segment. water. There is a water quality concern for chlorophyll-a in Taylor Bayou and arsenic in water at Shallow Prong Lake (701D). LNVA will continue routine monitoring in the segment, and 24-hour DO Draft 2006 Assessment results: measurements will be considered in future monitoring schedules. ⇒ Fully supports the aquatic life use Draft 2006 Assessment results: ⇒ Fully supports the contact recreation use ⇒ Not supporting the aquatic life use due to depressed DO in Taylor Bayou above tidal and Shallow Prong Lake (0701D) ⇒ Fully supports the general use criteria

⇒ Not supporting aquatic life use for dissolved aluminum and ⇒ Fully supports fish consumption use lead in water in Taylor Bayou above tidal, data removed for segment ⇒ No concerns for nutrients

⇒ Fully supports the contact recreation use Segment 0704: Hillebrandt Bayou ⇒ Fully supports the general use criteria ⇒ Concern for Chlorophyll-a in Taylor Bayou above tidal Hillebrandt Bayou segment is from the confluence of Taylor Bayou in Jefferson County to a point 100 meters upstream of SH 124 in ⇒ Concern for Arsenic in water at Shallow Prong Lake, changed Jefferson Co. It receives urban runoff from approximately 68% of to arsenic in fish tissue the City of Beaumont. Tributaries carry additional flows from agri- cultural areas, with base flows contributed by the City of Beau- mont’s wastewater treatment plant. The segment is not support- ing the aquatic life use for depressed dissolved oxygen in the up- Segment 0702: Intracoastal Waterway Tidal per end of the segment (station 10685). There is also a concern for nutrients (ammonia-nitrogen, chlorophyll-a) in the segment. The Intracoastal Waterway Tidal segment is from the confluence LNVA continues to monitor Hillebrandt Bayou to provide appro- with Galveston Bay at Port Bolivar in Galveston Co. to the conflu- priate monitoring coverage and adequate data to better assess ence with the Sabine-Neches Canal in Jefferson Co. The segment the nutrient concerns. includes Taylor Bayou Tidal from the confluence with the Intra- coastal Waterway up to the saltwater lock 4.8 miles downstream of SH 73 in Jefferson Co. Draft 2006 Assessment results: Based in the draft 2006 assessment report, the segment is not ⇒ Aquatic life use is not supported due to depressed dissolved supporting the contact recreation use due to elevated levels of oxygen Enterococcus bacteria. All other uses are fully supported. Alliga- tor Bayou (0702A) is not supporting the aquatic life use for acute ⇒ Fully supports the contact recreation use toxicity in water, impaired fish community, and sediment toxicity. In addition, there are concerns for toxic substances in sediment ⇒ Fully supports the general use criteria including chrysene, lead, phenanthrene, and pyrene, and a nutri- ⇒ Concerns for nutrients (Ammonia-Nitrogen, Chlorophyll-a) ents concern for Chlorophyll-a. TCEQ Region 10 continues rou- tine monitoring at three stations in the segment. Draft 2006 Assessment results: Update on the 2006 Assessment Report ⇒ Fully supports the aquatic life use Based on information provided to TCEQ during the public com- ment period, changes were made to the Draft 2006 Texas Water ⇒ Not supporting the contact recreation use (Enterococcus) Quality Inventory and 303(d) List issued on June 27, 2007. As a ⇒ Fully supports the fish consumption use result, the majority of the impairments associated with dissolved metals in water data were removed from the revised list. A com- ⇒ Fully supports the general use criteria plete list of changes, TCEQ’s response to public comments, and the revised assessment reports are available at the following link: ⇒ No concerns for nutrients http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/monitoring/water/ ⇒ Not supporting aquatic life use in Alligator Bayou (0702A) quality/data/06twqi/twqi06.html

⇒ Concern for Chlorophyll-a in Alligator Bayou Page 9 Basin Highlights Report

Stakeholder Participation and Public Outreach The Lower Neches Valley Authority’s Clean Rivers Program (CRP) Outreach Events and Programs stakeholder participation and public outreach program includes Through the Clean Rivers Program, LNVA provides textbook cov- several activities and events that ensure the public understands ers and the Major Rivers curriculum to elementary schools in the the role they play in protecting water resources. Public involve- basin. Approximately 15,000 book covers are distributed each ment is essential to ensuring the Clean Rivers Program meets its year and they include information on water quality and environ- goals for water quality. mental stewardship. Major Rivers is delivered to 4th grade class- rooms who choose to participate in the program. It is designed to CRP Steering Committee help students learn about Texas’ major water resources, how wa- The CRP Steering Committee is integral to LNVA’s involvement ter is treated and delivered to their homes and schools, and how with the public for the Clean Rivers Outreach Program. LNVA’s to care for their water resources and use them wisely. For the CRP Steering Committee brings together representatives of the 2006-07 school year, LNVA delivered Major Rivers’ teacher/ local industrial, municipal, and agricultural communities to discuss student packets to 55 classrooms for approximately 1,375 area 4th water quality issues. This diverse group of stakeholders represents graders. a variety of interests and helps identify the needs and concerns throughout the basins. By continuing to keep the public involved in the Clean Rivers Pro- gram, LNVA is ensuring that its program will be successful and achieve its water quality goals. To learn more about LNVA’s pro- The main objectives of the committee are to help with creation of grams and events, please visit www.lnva.dst.tx.us or call us at realistic water quality goals, review and develop work plans, share (409) 898-0561. resources, and establish monitoring priorities. Members voice any local or regional concerns they may have, while considering the LNVA Web Page interests of the basin as a whole. The CRP Steering Committee meets publicly at least once a year and discusses a wide range of LNVA is the topics. CRP data clearing- Topics covered at LNVA’s 2006 CRP meeting included: house for the lower ⇒ CRP accomplishments, fiscal report and goals for FY 2006-07 Neches River ⇒ Basin monitoring activities, TCEQ’s continuous water quality Basin and monitoring network, water quality impacts of Hurricane Rita Neches- Trinity ⇒ LNVA’s public education and outreach activities Coastal Basin and main- ⇒ Update on Pine Island Bayou UAA, Hillebrandt Bayou work- tains a web group, and environmental laboratory accreditation (NELAC) page for Additional information about LNVA’s Steering Committee includ- easy public ing how to get involved, upcoming meetings and past meeting access. This minutes is available on LNVA’s website at http://lnva.dst.tx.us or web site not call us at (409) 898-0561. only includes Figure 5. LNVA’s website at www.lnva.dst.tx.us information about LNVA and its current projects, but it also is a source of information for the Clean Rivers Program. As the data clearinghouse for the Clean Rivers assessment area, water quality data is available on the web site. When the LNVA page is accessed, users can query the Clean Rivers Program data through a list of monitoring stations. The user can select the query results as raw data or summary statistics. Clean Rivers Pro- gram data are updated three times each year. In addition to water quality monitoring data, the Clean Rivers sec- tion of the website also includes:

⇒ Clean Rivers Program Overview

⇒ Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

⇒ Coordinated Monitoring Schedule

⇒ LNVA Basin Reports

Figure 4. LNVA’s annual CRP Steering Committee Meeting was ⇒ CRP Steering Committee Information held at the Neches River Saltwater Barrier on August 17, 2006. ⇒ CRP activities and meetings