North Concho River Improvement/Bank Stabilization Project
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North Concho River Improvement/Bank Stabilization Project FINAL REPORT Upper Colorado River Authority San Angelo, Texas 76903 Funding Source: Nonpoint Source Program CWA §319(h) Prepared in cooperation with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Contract 582.12.10082 Table of Contents Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 2 Project Significance and Background .............................................................................................. 2 Methods .......................................................................................................................................... 4 Construction Methods ................................................................................................................ 4 Sediment Load Reduction Volumetric Calculation Methods ...................................................... 4 Bacteria Load Reduction Estimation Methods ............................................................................ 4 NO3-N and P Load Reduction Estimation Methods..................................................................... 5 Potential Ancillary Improvements in DO ..................................................................................... 5 Results and Observations ............................................................................................................... 6 Sediment Load Reduction Calculation Details ............................................................................ 6 Bacteria Load Calculation Details ................................................................................................ 7 NO3-N and P Load Reduction Calculation Details ....................................................................... 7 Annual Pollutant Load Reductions .............................................................................................. 8 Comparative Analysis of DO ........................................................................................................ 8 Discussion........................................................................................................................................ 8 Bank Stabilization Construction Discussion ................................................................................ 8 Bacteria Load Reduction Discussion ........................................................................................... 9 NO3-N and P Load Reduction Discussion .................................................................................... 9 Comparative Analysis of DO Discussion ...................................................................................... 9 Education Outreach Activities Discussion ................................................................................. 10 Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 11 References .................................................................................................................................... 13 List of Tables Table 1 Load Reductions ................................................................................................................. 8 Table 2 North Concho River Improvement Project Dissolved Oxygen ........................................... 8 List of Appendices Appendix A Bank Erosion Hazardous Index Assessment Materials Appendix B Pre- and Post-construction Photos Appendix C Newspaper Articles Executive Summary The North Concho River Improvement/Bank Stabilization Project was funded through a CWA 319(h) program grant managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) the in the amount of $372,512. Matching non-federal funds of $249,008 was provided by the City of San Angelo (COSA). This section of the river is was included on the 303(d) list of impaired watersheds in 2008 for bacteria and depressed dissolved oxygen levels. The project was designed as a control strategy to address these water quality impairments. Almost 6 million pounds of highly erodible material was removed along a 2000’ stretch of the North Concho River’s bank adjacent to Santa Fe Park near downtown San Angelo, Texas. This entire stretch of river bank was stabilized with boulder rip rap and slab stone. These activities not only provided an impressive aesthetic improvement to the river in the project area, but will also contribute important water quality benefits. Prior to stabilization the river bank exhibited numerous areas where rapid erosional processes of surface soil was evident. Also, large areas of the bank had been undercut by wave action and were in imminent danger of collapse and sloughing directly into the river. By proactively removing the highly erodible material before it washed or collapsed into the river, the direct deposition of sediment and sludge into the streambed of the river was prevented. Because streambed sediment and sludge provides a reservoir for not only bacteria, but also other oxygen depriving organics, the prevention of this deposition cannot help but provide significant future water quality improvements to this segment of the North Concho River. It is recognized in the literature that E. coli persists in soils especially in warmer climates in areas with moist soils such as along river banks. These are background populations of E. coli not related to animal fecal events. It is estimated that 1.031624 billion colony forming units (cfu)s of E. coli were removed during the excavation and slope grading activities of this project. In addition to the sediment and bacteria load reductions, it is conservatively estimated that load reductions of 175.02 lbs of nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) and 287.91 lbs of phosphorus (P) were achieved. A simple comparison was made between pre- and post-construction water quality data collected at the North Concho River Continuous Ambient Monitoring Station (CAMS) and reported through the Continuous Water Quality Monitoring Network (CWQMN). The results of the comparison show that the mean minimum DO measured in all months is significantly higher in the post-construction period relative to the pre-construction period. Moreover, the severity of diurnal swings in DO is significantly attenuated in the post-construction data relative to the pre-construction data. Through the efforts of Dr. Christy Youker, UCRA’s Education and Outreach Director, the project was publicized in the media and throughout San Angelo’s middle and elementary schools. Numerous tours with local public officials and other groups were conducted. Attributes of the Upper Colorado River Authority Page 1 project were presented in classrooms, on various websites, at various events, and through the local media. Introduction Prior to funding of this project, the UCRA used the Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI) developed by Dr. David L. Rosgen as part of the Watershed Assessment of River Stability and Sediment Supply (WARSSS) technical procedure for assessing the stability and erosion potential of stream banks. The WARSSS procedure is included in the EPA’s technical toolbox website. UCRA personnel evaluated bank characteristics at seven stations using the BEHI method (worksheets and photographs are attached in Appendix A). Representative soil samples were collected at three of the stations, composited and classified according to grain size percentages, and utilized in the characterization process (soil classification attached in Appendix A). The outcome of the BEHI evaluation process resulted in six of the stations being characterized with high bank erosion potentials and one being characterized with very high bank erosion potential. Based on this analysis, the UCRA applied for, and received a bank stabilization grant from the TCEQ. Funding for the project is provided by the CWA 319(h) program with match provided by the COSA. The project target area is located within the urban reach of the North Concho River in segment 1421, AU_08 and consists of approximately 2,000 linear feet of river bank beginning approximately 2,300 feet upstream of the Irving Street river crossing (designated on construction plans as sections 127 to 147). The bank stabilization was designed to stabilize areas of bank deterioration and trees at risk of collapsing into the river, thereby mitigating slumping and erosion that contribute to streambed deposition of substantial quantities of sediment and sludge. The project improves water quality through the removal of highly erodible materials, the emplacement of bank stabilizing boulders/rip-rap and slab stone, and the grading of the river bank to optimum slopes. Sediment load reductions were determined using actual measured quantities of sediment removed. Load reductions of bacteria were estimated using literature values correlated to the amounts of soil removed. Nutrient load reductions (NO3-N and P) were also estimated using literature values correlated to the quantity of soil removed. Potential ancillary water quality improvements in DO were evaluated by comparative analysis of pre- and post-construction acquired water quality data. Project Significance and Background The urban portion of the North Concho River watershed (segment 1421, assessment unit 1421_08) is comprised