2020 Draft Basin Highlights Report an Overview of Water Quality Issues Throughout the Canadian and Red River Basins

2020 DRAFT BASIN HIGHLIGHTS REPORT AN OVERVIEW OF WATER QUALITY ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE CANADIAN AND RED RIVER BASINS

The preparation of this report was financed through and in cooperation with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

North Fork Red River at FM 2473 2020 Canadian and Red River Basins Highlights Report ~ Page

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Lake Texoma at US 377 Bridge TABLE OF CONTENTS

CANADIAN AND RED RIVER BASIN VICINITY MAP 4

INTRODUCTION 5

Public Involvement Basin Advisory Committee Meeting 6 Coordinated Monitoring Meeting 7

Zebra Mussels Origin, Transportation, Impact, Texas Bound, Current Populations, and Studies 8 Texas Legislation Action 9

CANADIAN AND RED RIVER BASINS WATER QUALITY OVERVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS Canadian and Red River Basins Water Quality Overview, 2018 Texas IR Overview 10

TABLES Canadian River Basin 2018 Texas IR Impairment Listing 11 Red River Basin 2018 Texas IR Impairment Listing 12

Water Quality Monitoring Field Parameters, Conventional Laboratory Parameters

Red River Authority Environmental Services Laboratory Environmental Services Division 15

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INTRODUCTION

In 1991, the Texas Legislature enacted the Texas Clean Rivers Act (Senate Bill 818) in order to assess water quality for each river basin in the state. From this, the Clean Rivers Program (CRP) was created and has become one of the most successful cooperative efforts between federal, state, and local agencies and the citizens of the State of Texas. It is implemented by the Texas Commission on Environ- mental Quality (TCEQ) through local partner agencies to achieve the CRP’s primary goal of maintain- ing and improving the water quality in each river basin. The Red River Authority of Texas (Authority) is the partner agency for both the Canadian and Red River Basins.

A watershed management approach was selected as the best method to manage the State’s diverse surface water resources. In order to achieve this, the Authority subdivided each basin into five reaches, or sub-watersheds, divided by natural hydrology and composed of classified segments and unclassified water bodies. The TCEQ identifies each of these classified segments in the Texas Surface Water Qual- ity Standards (TSWQS). Data resulting from the collection and analysis of water samples is used in the development of and compliance with these standards.

An integral part of the CRP is the Basin Highlights Report (BHR). This report is based on quality assured data as utilized in the Texas Integrated Report (IR). The IR is an assessment of historical water quality data and is prepared by the TCEQ every two years, as required under the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA), Sections 305(b) and 303(d), as administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In 2019, the Authority produced the Basin Summary Report for the Canadian and Red River Basins, which included an extensive review of technical data and trend analyses based on information from the final 2016 Texas Integrated Report (IR). This year’s Basin Highlights Report (BHR) is brief in com- parison to the 2019 Basin Summary Report for the Canadian and Red River Basins, and serves to highlight ongoing environmental phenomena and projects impacting water quality within the Canadian and River Basins. Results from the 2018 IR are also presented for both basins. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that the reader should view the 2019 Summary Report of the Canadian and Red River Ba- sins for more in depth information. The summary report may be found on the Authority’s website at: www.rra.texas.gov.

North Fork Wichita River

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PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND STAKEHOLDER signed to be open, friendly, casual, and informative. They include in PARTICIPATION -depth technical discussions regarding project work plans, monitoring schedules, reports, and any other relevant topics presented by An important function of the CRP is to engage the public through committee members. BAC members are encouraged to bring guests the Authority website, stakeholder meetings, outreach, education, and to provide input, not only at the meetings, but throughout the and coordination of efforts. The Red River Authority’s website pro- year. vides information about all aspects of its operations. The Authority maintains a mailing list that is updated annually based The ABOUT US tab provides an overview of the Authority and its upon interest expressed by potential stakeholders. Meeting an- operations, including its Mission Statement, governing body, scope nouncements and materials are mailed to everyone on the mailing of services, calendar, and contact information. The Public Services list. Anyone interested in joining the BAC is encouraged to contact tab provides access to information regarding the General and Finan- Jose Martinez, Clean Rivers Program Supervisor, at 940-723-1717 cial Services, Utility Operations and the Authority’s NELAP Ac- or [email protected]. credited Environmental Laboratory.

An entire section of the website, accessible via the WATER QUAL- ITY & PLANNING tab, is devoted to the Texas Clean Rivers Program. This section provides quick and easy access to all publications, up-to-date quality assured water quality data, and information relating to the Authority’s participation in the Clean Rivers Program. Additionally, information regarding Regional Water Planning, the Chloride Control Project, and basin hydrology information can be found in this section. The Authority also maintains an online library under the PUBLICATIONS tab that includes reports and studies prepared by the Authority, data inventories, digital mapping, general information, links to environmental studies, historical weather data, and more. The PUBLIC NOTICES tab lists all public meetings and events scheduled by the Authority, such as the Basin Advisory Com- mittee Meetings, and the Coordinated Monitoring Meeting, for ex- ample.

BASIN ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Steering Committee, also known as the Basin Advisory Com- mittee (BAC), has been instrumental in guiding the CRP in the Ca- nadian and Red River Basins. BAC Members include representa- tives from the public, municipal, county, state and federal govern- ment, industry, business, agriculture, fee payers, environmental, education, civic organizations, and others.

The BAC meetings are open to the public and held in Amarillo and Wichita Falls at least once per year. The meetings are purposely de-

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COORDINATED MONITORING  Watershed Protection Plans - A non-regulatory process for coor- Water quality is important and requires an extensive amount of re- dinating, documenting, and tracking strategies and activities to sources. To best ensure these resources are used in a manner that protect and improve water quality. maximizes the amount of water quality data, the Authority coordi- nates monitoring efforts with other basin entities by holding annual  Use Attainability Analyses - A UAA is a scientific assessment of Coordinated Monitoring Meetings (CMM). Entities that have partic- the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of a water ipated include; the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority, the body. Additionally, a UAA is designed to evaluate surface water City of Sherman, the North Texas Municipal Water District, Texas standards and, if appropriate, establish standards that meet the A&M AgriLife, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, actual use(s) of the waterbody. the Texas Institute of Applied Environmental Research, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas State Soil and Water Con- servation Board, the United States Geological Survey, and several others.

Goals of this meeting are to coordinate monitoring locations, parameters of concern including §303(d) listings and §305(b) concerns, and data collection frequency. The meeting is set up to be more like a workshop and input from all participants is encouraged to help de- velop the most comprehensive monitoring plan possible.

Additionally, CMM attendees participate in Watershed Action Plan- ning (WAP) discussions. The WAP process helps to promote a more focused effort on certain water bodies during the annual CMM. Sites identified for WAP discussions are generally those having impairments for several years with no definitive solution or source of impairment identified. Furthermore, these discussions provide input to TCEQ to help identify and prioritize watershed restoration projects for impaired water bodies.

Information about potential sources of pollution, geographic factors in the watershed, and community interest is stored in the state watershed action planning strategy table and used to implement the following water quality protection strategies:

 Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) - A TMDL is a scientifi- cally-derived target that tells the greatest amount of a particular substance that can be added to a waterway without adversely affecting its health.

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ZEBRA MUSSELS TEXAS BOUND ORIGIN In April 2009, the first established colonies were reported in Lake Native to Russia, the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) was first Texoma in the Red River Basin. Soon after the Lake Texoma dis- introduced into North American waters as seemingly innocent hitch- covery, colonies were also reported in Sister Grove Creek in the hikers in the ballasts of ships entering Lake St. Clair, Michigan in Trinity River Basin, which feeds Lake Lavon. Finally, on July 17, the late 1980’s. Once established, the species quickly spread 2012, zebra mussel colonies were also confirmed in Lake Ray Rob- throughout the Great Lakes, eventually infiltrating some thirty (30) erts. states, and more than 600 lakes and reservoirs to date, according to recent data from the United States Geological Survey. In the begin- CURRENT POPULATIONS AND STUDIES ning it was thought that southern waters were too warm for the zebra Zebra mussels grow to a diameter of approximately two inches, and mussel to survive and reproduce, but this highly adaptive species has are identified by their triangular shape. Although they commonly found a way. have a stripe-like pattern, they can be solid white to dark brown in color. Due to their filtration eating habits, they can easily out- TRANSPORTATION compete native algae and other aquatic plants by rapidly depleting The infestation is thought to have been carried to Texas waters via any and all available nutrients within the water column. In turn, na- boats and other aquatic recreational equipment. Once attached, zebra tive species of fish and other aquatic life, which would have fed on mussels can be transported to other water bodies unknowingly, as this aquatic vegetation, are out-competed. Zebra mussels can spawn o adults can survive out of water for several days. Additionally, zebra in water temperatures above 54 F, and can produce over one million mussel larvae are microscopic, free floating organisms easily trans- eggs in a spawning season. Their colonization traits make the zebra ported through dams, utility pipelines and even boat live wells. mussel highly destructive to water lines and pipes. They are notori- ous for colonizing in water intake structures and piping, which can disrupt or even stop the flow of water.

Zebra mussels have been documented within and considered Infest- ed in the following Texas lakes:

Texas Lake/Reservoir 1. Lake Texoma 2. Lake Ray Roberts 3. Lake Lewisville 4. Lake Bridgeport 5. Lake Belton 6. Lake Austin 7. Lake Canyon 8. Lake Dean Gilbert 9. Lake Granger 10. Eagle Mountain Lake 11. Lake Georgetown 12. Lady Bird Lake 13. Lake Livingston 14. Lyndon B. Johnson Lake

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15. Marble Falls Lake Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). TPWD has focused on 16. Lake Pflugerville public outreach programs and publications to help prevent the trans- 17. Lake Randell portation of the zebra mussel to other water bodies. TPWD lists pre- 18. Stillhouse Hollow Lake ventative measures on their website, http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ 19. Lake Travis fishboat/boat/protect_water/. TPWD’s focus is on cleaning, draining, and drying. In 2010, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) began an in- 1. Cleaning - involves a thorough process for decontaminating tensive zebra mussel monitoring program to help document the watercraft and water equipment with water over 140oF to kill spread of this highly invasive species. As of 2012, the USGS is cur- any mussels and larva (veligers) that may have become attached. rently monitoring nine (9) Texas Lakes (Lake Texoma, Ray Roberts, 2. Draining - requires all boats to thoroughly drain all water Lake, Lake Lewisville, Grapevine Lake, Lavon Lake, Ray Hubbard from cooling systems and bilge pumps. This step also suggests Lake, Lake Tawakoni, Lake Fork Reservoir, and Lake Palestine). emptying all bait buckets and live wells. The monitoring program consists of four key components, which 3. Drying - is recommended for all equipment used in infested include: water for seven to ten days after being removed from the water. 1. SCUBA diving To date, many attempts have been made to eradicate this species, 2. Water sample collection including chemicals and manual cleaning, but nothing has had a sub- 3. Artificial substrate sampling stantial impact. 4. Water quality sampling

In addition to the routine water quality sampling, the USGS also has water-quality sondes to measure and record temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, specific conductance and pH, as well as log- gers to monitor and record the temperature every 15 minutes at 5- foot depth intervals.

IMPACT Zebra mussels may have a rather innocent appearance, but established populations have grave impacts. In addition to out-competing native aquatic vegetation and fish species, zebra mussels negatively affect recreational activities and public and private properties.

Boats, piers, buoys, and practically anything with a hard substrate in a water body is a prime spot for zebra mussles to colonize. Zebra mussels have been seen inside boat engines and cooling systems, clogging lines and causing engines to malfunction. Once encrusted on the bottom of a boat or other recreational water craft, their re- moval can be expensive, if even possible.

TEXAS LEGISLATIVE ACTION To limit further outbreaks of this highly invasive species, the Texas Legislature has created multiple control measures through the Texas

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CANADIAN AND RED RIVER BASINS of a discharger possibly affecting dissolved oxygen in Segment WATER QUALITY OVERVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS 0202G, Smith Creek, due to elevated levels of chemical oxygen de- mand downstream of the discharger. Dissolved oxygen in Segment CANADIAN RIVER BASIN WATER QUALITY OVERVIEW 0214A, Beaver Creek, was likely being affected by algal popula- The most common concerns or impairments in the Canadian River tions. Basin were chlorophyll-a, bacteria, chloride, and nitrate. There are relatively few wastewater treatment facilities in this basin. Although The number of segments with concerns or impairments for bacteria effluent from these facilities can contribute to nutrient loads in increased from west to east across the basin. Additionally, it ap- downstream water bodies, they can also provide a consistent base peared that the prevalence of runoff related bacteria issues increased flow in streams that may have gone dry without effluent flows. moving east across the basin. This could be expected given the shift These effluent flows create habitat for aquatic life that would other- in climate from west to east. In the arid western portion of the basin, wise not exist. Several concerns for nutrients and chlorophyll-a in there was less total rainfall and fewer runoff events, but direct access this basin appeared to be related to upstream wastewater treatment to water bodies by livestock appears to be more common. In con- facilities. The low flows seen in many of the streams in the basin trast, the eastern portion of the basin typically receives more precipi- allowed for long residence times, which in turned provided adequate tation which could result in more bacteria being washed into nearby time for phytoplankton to consume the excess nutrients and increase algal populations.

Chlorides were seen to be directly influenced by the drought with levels increasing over the duration of the drought in streams and in reservoirs as their elevations declined. Without freshwater inflows from precipitation, there is very little that can be done to address this concern.

Elevated bacteria levels found throughout the basin appeared to be largely related to livestock and wildlife; either through runoff from pastures and wooded riparian areas during rainfall events or from direct access of animals using the streams as a water source.

RED RIVER BASIN WATER QUALITY OVERVIEW The most common concerns or impairments in the Red River Basin were bacteria, chlorophyll-a, nutrients, and depressed dissolved oxygen. Similar to the Canadian River Basin, wastewater treatment facilities are relatively scarce at the west end of the basin and increase in number moving east from Vernon. As in the Canadian River Ba- sin, effluent from these facilities provided additional stream flow, but also likely contributed to the increased number of segments with nutrient and chlorophyll-a concerns in the basin.

Low dissolved oxygen issues appeared to have been largely related Water Quality Monitoring to low flows as a result of drought. There was at least one instance 2020 Canadian and Red River Basins Highlights Report ~ Page 10

Canadian River Basin 2018 Integrated Report Summary Table Water Body ID Water Body Description Impairments Year First Listed 0101C Canadian River Below Lake Meredith Bacteria (E. coli) 2012

0101A Dixon Creek Depressed Dissolved Oxygen 2000

0101A Dixon Creek Selenium in Water 2010

0101B Rock Creek Bacteria (E. coli) 2006

0101C White Deer Creek None -

0102C Lake Meredith Mercury in Edible Fish Tissue 2002

0102C Lake Meredith Chloride 2006

0102C Lake Meredith Sulfate 2006

0102C Lake Meredith Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 2006

0102A Big Blue Creek None -

0103C Canadian River Above Lake Meredith Chloride 2006

0103A East Amarillo Creek Bacteria (E. coli) 2018

0103C Unnamed Tributary to West Amarillo Creek None -

0104C Wolf Creek Temperature 2018

0105 Rita Blanca Lake Depressed Dissolved Oxygen 2018

0105 Rita Blanca Lake pH 2006

0199A Palo Duro Reservoir None -

0199B Kiowa Creek None -

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Red River Basin 2018 Integrated Report Summary Table Water Body ID Water Body Description Impairments Year First Listed 0201A Lower Red River None - 0201A Mud Creek Bacteria (E. coli) 2002 0201A Mud Creek Depressed Dissolved Oxygen 2006 0202A Red River Below Lake Texoma None - 0202A Bois D' Arc Creek Bacteria (E. coli) 2010 0202C Pecan Bayou Bacteria (E. coli) 2018 0202D Pine Creek None - 0202E Post Oak Creek Bacteria (E. coli) 2016 0202F Choctaw Creek Bacteria (E. coli) 2010 0202G Smith Creek Bacteria (E. coli) 2006 0202H Big Pine Creek None - 0202I Little Pine Creek Depressed Dissolved Oxygen 2014 0202J Sand Creek None - 0202K Iron Ore Creek None - 0202L Honey Grove Creek Bacteria (E. coli) 2016 0202M Lake Bonham None - 0203X Lake Texoma None - 0203A Big Mineral Creek None - 0204X Red River Above Lake Texoma None - 0204B Moss Lake None - 0205 Red River Below Pease River None - 0205A Wildhorse Creek Bacteria (E. coli) 2018 0206X Red River Above Pease River None 0206B South Groesbeck Creek Bacteria (E. coli) 2006 0207X Lower Prairie Dog Town Fork Red River Bacteria (E. coli) 2006 0207A Buck Creek None - 0208X Lake Crook None - 0209X Pat Mayse Lake None - 0210X Farmers Creek Reservoir None - 0211X Little Wichita River Depressed Dissolved Oxygen 1996 0211A East Fork Little Wichita River None - 0212 Lake Arrowhead None - 0212A Little Wichita River Above Lake Arrowhead None -

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Red River Basin 2018 Integrated Report Summary Table Water Body ID Water Body Description Impairments Year First Listed 0213X Lake Kickapoo None - 0214X Wichita River Below Diversion Lake Dam Bacteria (E. coli) 2006 0214A Beaver Creek Bacteria (E. coli) 2006 0214B Buffalo Creek Bacteria (E. coli) 2010 0214C Holliday Creek None - 0214D Gordon Lake None - 0214E Wichita Valley Irrigation Project None - 0214F Unnamed Tributary of Buffalo Creek Bacteria (E. coli) 2016 0215A Diversion Lake None - 0216A Wichita River Below Lake Kemp None - 0217A Lake Kemp None - 0218A Wichita/North Fork Wichita River None - 0218A Middle Fork Wichita River None - 0219 Lake Wichita Chloride 2014 0219 Lake Wichita Sulfate 2014 0219 Lake Wichita Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 2014 0219A Holliday Creek Above Lake Wichita None - 0220X Upper Pease / North Fork Pease River None - 0221X Middle Fork Pease River None - 0222A Salt Fork Red River None - 0222A Lelia Lake Creek None - 0223X Greenbelt Lake None - 0224A North Fork Red River None - 0224A McClellan Creek None - 0226A South Fork Wichita River None - 0228 Mackenzie Reservoir Sulfate 2016 0228X Mackenzie Reservoir Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 2014 0229A Upper Prairie Dog Town Fork Red River Bacteria (E. coli) 2018 0229 Upper Prairie Dog Town Fork Red River Depressed Dissolved Oxygen 2018 0229A Lake Tanglewood None - 0230A Pease River None - 0230A Paradise Creek None - 0299A Sweetwater Creek Bacteria (E. coli) 2002

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WATER QUALITY MONITORING Field Parameters To ensure that data collected is technically sound and of good quali- Field parameters include those obtained using a water quality sonde ty, all parameters are collected under the guidance of a Quality As- such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and specific conduct- surance Project Plan (QAPP). A QAPP describes the collection, ac- ance (sometimes referred to as “temperature-compensated conduc- quisition and documentation guidelines of the data to ensure that the tivity”). Other field parameters include transparency, stream flow, quality objectives are achieved prior to its submittal to TCEQ or en- air temperature, and general field observations. try into the Authority’s database. The QAPP also includes a sam-  Temperature pling process design and monitoring schedule, specific constituents taken from the Texas Integrated Report, the §303(d) List, or §305(b)  Dissolved Oxygen Report, and specific requests from TCEQ and the Canadian and Red  pH River Basin Advisory Committees. The QAPP also includes a monitoring schedule which lists the stations and frequency of monitoring  Specific Conductance for groups of water quality parameters.  Transparency  Stream Flow The information below details the parameters collected by the Au- thority and TCEQ, the potential impacts to a water body if the water  Flow Method and Flow Severity quality standard is not met, and the possible causes of the pollutants. Conventional Laboratory Parameters Conventional laboratory parameters generally includes the analysis of solids, salts, nutrients, and bacteria. Common laboratory analyses include:  Solids - Total Suspended Solids / Total Dissolved Solids  Alkalinity  Chloride  Sulfate  Bacteria  Chlorophyll a / Pheophytin  Turbidity  Ammonia  Total Phosphorus  Nitrate / Nitrite  Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen  Metals  Total Hardness Water Quality Monitoring

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RED RIVER AUTHORITY ENVIRONMENTAL and other compliance testing for state or local reporting. SERVICES LABORATORY The Environmental Services Division [ESD] is an integral compo- A strong quality assurance program is the backbone of the ESD La- nent of the Authority, and is comprised of a dedicated and well boratory. Only EPA approved and NELAP accredited methods are trained professional staff. The principal purpose of the ESD is to employed by the laboratory. Technicians can only perform methods control and/or abate any possible threat of pollution to the environ- for which they have demonstrated capability of performing. Every ment and the water resources through routine monitoring of the Red batch of samples includes extensive quality control samples to as- River Basin. A variety of specialized services can be designed to sure reproducibility and accuracy. This is accomplished with blank, meet analytical needs of the largest organization or a single individ- replicate, and matrix spiked samples. Blind proficiency studies are performed at a minimum of twice a year on every analytical method ual. Assistance may be provided for special site assessments, field offered. NELAP accreditation can only be maintained by successful investigations, and reporting on behalf of counties, municipalities, analysis of these samples. Only NIST (National Institute of Stand- water districts, and water supply corporations, as well as industries engaged in permitting of water and wastewater facilities located ards and Technology) traceable reagents, pipets, and weights are uti- within the Red River Basin in Texas. Specific contract services lized. All balances, meters, analyzers, and incubators are verified on available for both laboratory and field reconnaissance include: each day of use with NIST reference standards to help assure day to day consistency in results. Equipment is maintained with a preven- tive maintenance program by either the staff or contract mainte-  Complete water and wastewater laboratory services nance. Maintenance records are kept to track instrument perfor-  Biological Assessments mance. All members of the laboratory staff are required to sign and  Receiving Water Assessments follow a strict ethics statement. Annual internal audits of all depart- ments and the quality management system help ensure that all stated  Environmental Impact Assessments procedures are followed and any non-compliant work is properly  Watershed/Waterbody Assessments documented and corrective actions taken.  Pollution Complaint Investigations  GPS Surveys and Digital Mapping  Use Attainability Assessments  General Habitat Assessments  Flow Measurements  Sample Collections

The ESD also offers a full line of analytical procedures to monitor effluent discharges, drinking water, and solids. The ESD Laboratory is approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to perform bacteriological testing on drinking water, and has been awarded accreditation by TCEQ to perform numerous analytical methods on drinking water and non-potable water. This includes procedures routinely associated with wastewater treatment plants, non-point source assessments, self monitoring requirements,

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Wichita River at FM 1919

RED RIVER AUTHORITY OF TEXAS P.O. BOX 240 WICHITA FALLS, TX 76307-0240 (940) 723-8697 www.rra.texas.gov

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