DOCSLIB.ORG

The Proposed Fastrill Reservoir in East Texas: a Study Using

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Proposed Fastrill Reservoir in East Texas: a Study Using THE PROPOSED FASTRILL RESERVOIR IN EAST TEXAS: A STUDY USING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS Michael Ray Wilson, B.S. Thesis Prepared for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS December 2009 APPROVED: Paul Hudak, Major Professor and Chair of the Department of Geography Samuel F. Atkinson, Minor Professor Pinliang Dong, Committee Member Michael Monticino, Dean of the Robert B. Toulouse School of Graduate Studies Wilson, Michael Ray. The Proposed Fastrill Reservoir in East Texas: A Study Using Geographic Information Systems. Master of Science (Applied Geography), December 2009, 116 pp., 26 tables, 14 illustrations, references, 34 titles. Geographic information systems and remote sensing software were used to analyze data to determine the area and volume of the proposed Fastrill Reservoir, and to examine seven alternatives. The controversial reservoir site is in the same location as a nascent wildlife refuge. Six general land cover types impacted by the reservoir were also quantified using Landsat imagery. The study found that water consumption in Dallas is high, but if consumption rates are reduced to that of similar Texas cities, the reservoir is likely unnecessary. The reservoir and its alternatives were modeled in a GIS by selecting sites and intersecting horizontal water surfaces with terrain data to create a series of reservoir footprints and volumetric measurements. These were then compared with a classified satellite imagery to quantify land cover types. The reservoir impacted the most ecologically sensitive land cover type the most. Only one alternative site appeared slightly less environmentally damaging. Copyright 2009 by Michael Ray Wilson ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to acknowledge my thesis committee members, Dr. Paul Hudak, Dr. Samuel Atkinson, and Dr. Pinliang Dong, for their guidance on this project. I would also like to provide special thanks to my colleague Joaquin Torrans for his assistance conducting field research along the Neches River. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...............................................................................................iii LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................ v LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.............................................................................................vii INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 1 LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................... 3 Geographic Overview ........................................................................................... 3 Need for the Fastrill Reservoir.............................................................................. 7 Opposition to the Fastrill Reservoir..................................................................... 13 Environmental Concerns .................................................................................... 24 History ................................................................................................................ 30 Summary ............................................................................................................ 34 METHODOLOGY.......................................................................................................... 35 Objectives........................................................................................................... 35 Data Collection and Preparation......................................................................... 37 Pool Elevations................................................................................................... 47 Alternate Dam Sites............................................................................................ 52 RESULTS...................................................................................................................... 55 CONCLUSIONS............................................................................................................ 62 REFERENCES............................................................................................................ 112 iv LIST OF TABLES Page 1. Endangered species........................................................................................... 64 2. Fastrill Reservoir partial water balances (mean annual values) ......................... 67 3. Stills Creek alternate site reservoir metrics ........................................................ 68 4. Tailes Creek alternate site reservoir metrics....................................................... 69 5. Ioni Creek alternate site reservoir metrics .......................................................... 70 6. Fastrill Dam site reservoir metrics ...................................................................... 71 7. Weches Dam site reservoir metrics .................................................................... 72 8. San Pedro Creek alternate site reservoir metrics ............................................... 73 9. Box Creek alternate site reservoir metrics.......................................................... 74 10. Bowles Creek alternate site reservoir metrics..................................................... 75 11. Stills Creek alternate site image classification metrics ....................................... 76 12. Tailes Creek alternate site image classification metrics ..................................... 77 13. Ioni Creek alternate site image classification metrics ......................................... 78 14. Fastrill Dam site image classification metrics ..................................................... 80 15. Weches Dam site image classification metrics................................................... 82 16. San Pedro Creek alternate site image classification metrics .............................. 84 17. Box Creek alternate site image classification metrics......................................... 86 18. Bowles Creek alternate site image classification metrics ................................... 88 19. Stills Creek alternate site roadway metrics......................................................... 90 20. Tailes Creek alternate site roadway metrics....................................................... 91 21. Ioni Creek alternate site roadway metrics........................................................... 92 v 22. Fastrill Dam site roadway metrics....................................................................... 93 23. Weches Dam site roadway metrics .................................................................... 94 24. San Pedro Creek alternate site roadway metrics................................................ 95 25. Box Creek alternate site roadway metrics .......................................................... 96 26. Bowles Creek alternate site roadway metrics..................................................... 97 vi LIST OF FIGURES Page 1. Regional setting map.......................................................................................... 98 2. Texas counties greater than 250,000 population map........................................ 99 3. Water supply reservoirs map............................................................................ 100 4. Parks and forests map...................................................................................... 101 5. Wildlife refuge boundaries map ........................................................................ 102 6. Dam locations map........................................................................................... 103 7. Elevation map................................................................................................... 104 8. Watersheds map .............................................................................................. 105 9. Landsat image classification map..................................................................... 106 10. Weather stations map....................................................................................... 107 11. Neches River daily mean discharge graph ....................................................... 108 12. Neches River mean daily mean discharge graph ............................................. 109 13. Fastrill Reservoir map....................................................................................... 110 14. Equivalent reservoir configurations map........................................................... 111 vii INTRODUCTION Fastrill Reservoir is a proposed reservoir located in east Texas along the upper portion of the Neches River downstream of Lake Palestine. The purpose of the reservoir is to provide a future source of drinking water and municipal use water for the rapidly growing population of the city of Dallas and its suburbs, located to the northwest. Current estimates predict the population of the City of Dallas will double by the year 2060, and will be approximately triple for the entire Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. The portion of the Neches River where the proposed reservoir would be located is an area of riparian habitat characterized by mixed hardwood bottomland forests subject to periodic inundation, and is thus a wetland habitat. It is one of the few remaining natural habitats in a region where wild land has been continuously consumed for development for over a century. The area is considered critical to many species of animals,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Chapter 307: Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (4/9/2008)
    Revisions to §307 - Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (updated November 12, 2009) EPA has not approved the revised definition of “surface water in the state” in the TX WQS, which includes an area out 10.36 miles into the Gulf of Mexico. Under the CWA, Texas does not have jurisdiction to regulate water standards more than three miles from the coast. Therefore, EPA’s approval of the items in the enclosure recognizes the state’s authority under the CWA out to three miles in the Gulf of Mexico, but does not extend past that point. Beyond three miles, EPA retains authority for CWA purposes EPA’s approval also does not include the application the TX WQS for the portions of the Red River and Lake Texoma that are located within the state of Oklahoma. Finally, EPA is not approving the TX WQS for those waters or portions of waters located in Indian Country, as defined in 18 U.S.C. 1151. The following sections have been approved by EPA and are therefore effective for CWA purposes: • §307.1. General Policy Statement • §307.2. Description of Standards • §307.3. Definitions and Abbreviations (see item under “no action” section below) • §307.4. General Criteria • §307.5. Antidegradation • §307.6. Toxic Materials. (see item under “no action” section below) • §307.7. Site-specific Uses and Criteria (see item under “no action” section below) • §307.8. Application of Standards • §307.9. Determination of Standards Attainment • Appendix C - Segment Descriptions • Appendix D - Site-specific Receiving Water Assessments The following sections have been partially approved by EPA: • Appendix A.
    [Show full text]
  • Stormwater Management Program 2013-2018 Appendix A
    Appendix A 2012 Texas Integrated Report - Texas 303(d) List (Category 5) 2012 Texas Integrated Report - Texas 303(d) List (Category 5) As required under Sections 303(d) and 304(a) of the federal Clean Water Act, this list identifies the water bodies in or bordering Texas for which effluent limitations are not stringent enough to implement water quality standards, and for which the associated pollutants are suitable for measurement by maximum daily load. In addition, the TCEQ also develops a schedule identifying Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) that will be initiated in the next two years for priority impaired waters. Issuance of permits to discharge into 303(d)-listed water bodies is described in the TCEQ regulatory guidance document Procedures to Implement the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (January 2003, RG-194). Impairments are limited to the geographic area described by the Assessment Unit and identified with a six or seven-digit AU_ID. A TMDL for each impaired parameter will be developed to allocate pollutant loads from contributing sources that affect the parameter of concern in each Assessment Unit. The TMDL will be identified and counted using a six or seven-digit AU_ID. Water Quality permits that are issued before a TMDL is approved will not increase pollutant loading that would contribute to the impairment identified for the Assessment Unit. Explanation of Column Headings SegID and Name: The unique identifier (SegID), segment name, and location of the water body. The SegID may be one of two types of numbers. The first type is a classified segment number (4 digits, e.g., 0218), as defined in Appendix A of the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (TSWQS).
    [Show full text]
  • A Checklist of Oklahoma Odonata
    Libellula comanche Calvert, 1907 - Comanche Skimmer Useful regional references: Libellula composita (Hagen, 1873) - Bleached Skimmer A Checklist of Libellula croceipennis Sélys, 1868 - Neon Skimmer —Dragonflies and damselflies of the West by Dennis Paulson (2009) Libellula cyanea Fabricius, 1775 - Spangled Skimmer and Dragonflies and damselflies of the East by Dennis Paulson (2011) Oklahoma Odonata Libellula flavida Rambur, 1842 - Yellow-sided Skimmer Princeton University Press. Libellula incesta Hagen, 1861 - Slaty Skimmer —Damselflies of Texas: A Field Guide by John C. Abbott (2011) and (Dragonflies and Damselflies) Libellula luctuosa Burmeister, 1839 - Widow Skimmer Dragonflies of Texas: A Field Guide by John C. Abbott (2015) University of Texas Press. Libellula nodisticta Hagen, 1861 - Hoary Skimmer Libellula pulchella Drury, 1773 - Twelve-spotted Skimmer —Oklahoma Odonata Project: https://biosurvey.ou.edu/smith/Oklahoma_Odonata.html Libellula saturata Uhler, 1857 - Flame Skimmer Compiled by Brenda D. Smith — Smith BD, Patten MA (2020) Dragonflies at a Biogeographical Libellula semifasciata Burmeister, 1839 - Painted Skimmer Crossroads: The Odonata of Oklahoma and Complexities Beyond its & Michael A. Patten Libellula vibrans Fabricius, 1793 - Great Blue Skimmer Borders. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, Florida, USA. Macrodiplax balteata (Hagen, 1861) - Marl Pennant Miathyria marcella (Sélys, 1856) - Hyacinth Glider Oklahoma Biological Survey, Micrathyria hagenii Kirby, 1890 - Thornbush Dasher Oklahoma
    [Show full text]
  • Texas Water Resources Institute
    Texas Water Resources Institute Summer 1989 Volume 15 No. 2 Optimizing Reservoir Management New Strategies Including Systems Operation and Reallocation May Boost Reservoir Yields By Ric Jensen Information Specialist, TWRI Many experts believe Texas can increase its surface water supplies without building new dams and reservoirs. The answer isn't magic. The solution is better management and coordination of existing reservoirs. New strategies/hat make every drop of water count include operating a group of reservoirs as a coordinated system; converting some reservoir storage space from hydropower production, flood control, and navigation to water supplies; and timing water levels in reservoirs to correspond to seasonal differences in streamflows and water demands. Scientists are learning more about the quality of water in lakes and how man's activities affect the chemical makeup of reservoirs. A number of important developments are already taking place. Both the City of Dallas and the Brazos River Authority manage their reservoir systems so that releases of water are tied to climate conditions water demands. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has recently submitted a management plan to the Texas Water Commission (TWC) that could allow LCRA to sell "interruptible water supplies" during wet years. Opportunities to reallocate storage space in Texas reservoirs have been summarized in recent report by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE). Otherstudies have described how systems operation could increase water supplies in reservoirs in the Sabine, Trinity, and Trinity-San Jacinto River basins. 1 Optimizing reservoir management has been the focus of many university research projects. Scientists at Texas A&M University have been studying the Brazos River basin.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting December 7, 2018 10 A.M
    Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting December 7, 2018 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CRP Coordinated Monitoring Meeting Texas Logperch (Percina carbonaria) https://cms.lcra.org/sch edule.aspx?basin=19& FY=2019 2 Segment 1911 – Upper San Antonio River 12908 SAR at Woodlawn 12909 SAR at Mulberry 12899 SAR at Padre16731 Road SAR Upstream 12908 SAR at Woodlawn 21547 SAR at VFW of the Medina River Confluence 12879 SAR at SH 97 Pterygoplichthys sp. 3 Segment 1901 – Lower San Antonio River 16992 Cabeza Creek FM 2043 16580 SAR Conquista12792 SAR Pacific RR SE Crossing Goliad 12790 SAR at FM 2506 Pterygoplichthys sp. 4 Segment 1905 – Upper Medina River 21631 UMR Mayan 12830 UMR Old English Ranch Crossing 21631 UMR Mayan Ranch 12832 UMR FM 470 5 Segment 1904 Medina Lake & 1909 Medina Diversion Lake Medina Diversion Lake Medina Lake 6 Segment 1903 Lower Medina River 12824 MR CR 2615 14200 MR CR 484 12811 MR FH 1937 Near Losoya 7 Segment 1908 Upper Cibolo Creek 1285720821 UCC NorthrupIH10 Park 15126 UCC Downstream Menger CK 8 Segment 1913 Mid Cibolo Creek 12924 Mid 14212 Mid Cibolo Cibolo Creek Upstream WWTP Schaeffer Road 9 Segment 1902 Lower Cibolo Creek 12802 Lower Cibolo Creek FM 541 12741 Martinez Creek21755 Gable Upstream FM Road 537 14197 Scull Crossing 10 Segment 1910 Salado Creek 12861 Salado Creek Southton 12870 Gembler 14929 Comanche Park 11 Segment 1912 Medio Creek 12916 Hidden Valley Campground 12735 Medio Creek US 90W 12 Segment 1907 Upper Leon Creek & 1906 Lower Leon Creek 12851 Upper Leon Creek Raymond Russel Park 14198 Upstream Leon Creek
    [Show full text]
  • Beach and Bay Access Guide
    Texas Beach & Bay Access Guide Second Edition Texas General Land Office Jerry Patterson, Commissioner The Texas Gulf Coast The Texas Gulf Coast consists of cordgrass marshes, which support a rich array of marine life and provide wintering grounds for birds, and scattered coastal tallgrass and mid-grass prairies. The annual rainfall for the Texas Coast ranges from 25 to 55 inches and supports morning glories, sea ox-eyes, and beach evening primroses. Click on a region of the Texas coast The Texas General Land Office makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information depicted on these maps, or the data from which it was produced. These maps are NOT suitable for navigational purposes and do not purport to depict or establish boundaries between private and public land. Contents I. Introduction 1 II. How to Use This Guide 3 III. Beach and Bay Public Access Sites A. Southeast Texas 7 (Jefferson and Orange Counties) 1. Map 2. Area information 3. Activities/Facilities B. Houston-Galveston (Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Harris, and Matagorda Counties) 21 1. Map 2. Area Information 3. Activities/Facilities C. Golden Crescent (Calhoun, Jackson and Victoria Counties) 1. Map 79 2. Area Information 3. Activities/Facilities D. Coastal Bend (Aransas, Kenedy, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio Counties) 1. Map 96 2. Area Information 3. Activities/Facilities E. Lower Rio Grande Valley (Cameron and Willacy Counties) 1. Map 2. Area Information 128 3. Activities/Facilities IV. National Wildlife Refuges V. Wildlife Management Areas VI. Chambers of Commerce and Visitor Centers 139 143 147 Introduction It’s no wonder that coastal communities are the most densely populated and fastest growing areas in the country.
    [Show full text]
  • John C. Abbott Director, Museum Research and Collections Alabama
    John C. Abbott Director, Museum Research and Collections http://www.OdonataCentral.org Alabama Museum of Natural History http://www.MigratoryDragonflyPartnership.org The University of Alabama http://www.PondWatch.org 119 Smith Hall, Box #870340 http://www.AbbottNature.com Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0340 USA http://www.AbbottNaturePhotography.com http://almnh.ua.edua (205) 348-0534, office (512) 970-4090, cell [email protected]; [email protected] EDUCATION Stroud Water Research Center, Philadelphia Academy of Sciences Postdoc, 1999 University of North Texas Biology/Ecology Ph.D., 1999 University of North Texas Biology/Ecology M.S., 1998 Texas A&M University Zoology/Entomology B.S., 1993 Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, University of North Texas 1991 PROFESIONAL EXPERIENCE 2016-present Director, Museum Research and Collections, University of Alabama Museums 2016-present Adjunct Faculty, Department of Anthropology, University of Alabama 2013-2015 Director, Wild Basin Creative Research Center at St. Edward’s University 2006-2013 Curator of Entomology, Texas Natural Science Center 2005-2013 Senior Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences, UT Austin 1999-2005 Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at Austin 2004-2013 Environmental Science Institute, University of Texas 2000-2006 Research Associate, Texas Memorial Museum, Texas Natural History Collections 1999 Research Scientist, Stroud Water Research Center, Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences 1997-1998 Associate Faculty, Collin County Community College (Plano, Texas) 1997-1998 Teaching Fellow, University of North Texas PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS 27. J.C. Abbott. In prep. Description of the male and nymph of Phyllogomphoides cornutifrons (Odonata: Gomphidae): A South American enigma. 26. J.C. Abbott, K.K.
    [Show full text]
  • Section IV – Guideline for the Texas Priority Species List
    Section IV – Guideline for the Texas Priority Species List Associated Tables The Texas Priority Species List……………..733 Introduction For many years the management and conservation of wildlife species has focused on the individual animal or population of interest. Many times, directing research and conservation plans toward individual species also benefits incidental species; sometimes entire ecosystems. Unfortunately, there are times when highly focused research and conservation of particular species can also harm peripheral species and their habitats. Management that is focused on entire habitats or communities would decrease the possibility of harming those incidental species or their habitats. A holistic management approach would potentially allow species within a community to take care of themselves (Savory 1988); however, the study of particular species of concern is still necessary due to the smaller scale at which individuals are studied. Until we understand all of the parts that make up the whole can we then focus more on the habitat management approach to conservation. Species Conservation In terms of species diversity, Texas is considered the second most diverse state in the Union. Texas has the highest number of bird and reptile taxon and is second in number of plants and mammals in the United States (NatureServe 2002). There have been over 600 species of bird that have been identified within the borders of Texas and 184 known species of mammal, including marine species that inhabit Texas’ coastal waters (Schmidly 2004). It is estimated that approximately 29,000 species of insect in Texas take up residence in every conceivable habitat, including rocky outcroppings, pitcher plant bogs, and on individual species of plants (Riley in publication).
    [Show full text]
  • SABINE LAKE AREA Waterways Guide
    WATERWAYS GUIDE SABINE LAKE AREA Waterways guide BOATING FACILITIES & SERVICES DIRECTORY FISHING & NAVIGATION INFORMATION h REGULATIONS CHARTS ANCHORAGES 409.985.7822 // visitportarthurtx.com BOAT SAFELY AND ENSURE YOUR WATERCRAFT IS UP TO REQUIRED Standards For information Read The Texas Water Safety Act or contact Texas Parks and Wildlife 4200 Smith School Road Austin, TX 78744 1.800.792.1112 FOR BOATER EDUCATION ©2019 Sabine Lake Area Cruising Guide 1.800.262.8755 FOR BOAT REGISTRATION AND BOAT INFORMATION or visit www.tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/safety Sabine Lake Area WATERWAYS GUIDE Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented in this guide. However, the Port Arthur Convention & Visitors Bureau claims no liability for any changes or omissions that may occur. The charts reproduced in this guide and included as inserts are not intended for use in navigation. U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners, Light Lists and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration charts should be referenced for safe navigation in any U.S. coastal waters. Convention & Visitors Bureau 3401 Cultural Center Dr // Port Arthur, TX 77642 409.985.7822 // visitportarthurtx.com ©2019 Sabine Lake Area Cruising Guide 1 CONTENTS Welcome to Fishing in Port Arthur ....................... 3 Southeast Texas Offers ‘Incredible’ Fishing ............... 4 Sabine Lake ........................................ 5 Waterway Access To Sabine Lake From The Gulf ........ 6 Intracoastal Waterway ............................. 6 Neches River .................................... 6 Sabine Lake Area Fishing Spots ........................ 7 Oyster Shell Reef ................................. 7 Tidal Movement .................................. 7 Working The Birds ................................ 8 Fishing Slicks .................................... 8 Sabine Lake Shorelines ............................ 9 Sabine Lake’s North End ........................... 9 Keith Lake ....................................
    [Show full text]
  • Examining Bay Salinity Patterns and Limits to Rangia Cuneata Populations in Texas Estuaries
    this page left intentionally blank Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 1 2 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 3 3 Uncovering Key Salinity Patterns in the Guadalupe and Mission-Aransas Estuary System .. 5 3.1 Biologic Underpinnings ............................................................................ 7 3.1.1 Primary Biologic-Based Pattern Searches ................................................ 9 3.1.2 Second Tier Biologic Conditions / Limitations ........................................ 9 3.1.3 Seasonal Limits ........................................................................................ 9 3.2 Salinity in the Guadalupe and Mission-Aransas Estuary System .......... 10 3.3 Specific Salinity Searches - Computational Pathway ............................ 13 3.3.1 Primary Pattern Searches ........................................................................ 13 3.3.2 Examining Spawning Limitations .......................................................... 23 3.3.3 Return Periods ........................................................................................ 24 4 Findings ................................................................................................................................. 28 4.1 Primary Pattern Searches - Regular Consecutive Salinity Days ............ 28 4.2 Spawning Pre-Condition
    [Show full text]
  • A Checklist of Oklahoma Odonata
    Libellula comanche Calvert, 1907 - Comanche Skimmer Useful regional references: Libellula composita (Hagen, 1873) - Bleached Skimmer A Checklist of Libellula croceipennis Selys, 1868 - Neon Skimmer —Dragonflies and damselflies of the West by Dennis Paulson (2009) Libellula cyanea Fabricius, 1775 - Spangled Skimmer and Dragonflies and damselflies of the East by Dennis Paulson (2011) Oklahoma Odonata Libellula flavida Rambur, 1842 - Yellow-sided Skimmer Princeton University Press. Libellula incesta Hagen, 1861 - Slaty Skimmer —Damselflies of Texas: A Field Guide by John C. Abbott (2011) and (Dragonflies and Damselflies) Libellula luctuosa Burmeister, 1839 - Widow Skimmer Dragonflies of Texas: A Field Guide by John C. Abbott (2015) University of Texas Press. Libellula nodisticta Hagen, 1861 - Hoary Skimmer Libellula pulchella Drury, 1773 - Twelve-spotted Skimmer —Oklahoma Odonata Project: https://biosurvey.ou.edu/smith/Oklahoma_Odonata.html Libellula saturata Uhler, 1857 - Flame Skimmer Compiled by Brenda D. Smith — Smith BD, Patten MA (2020) Dragonflies at a Biogeographical Libellula semifasciata Burmeister, 1839 - Painted Skimmer Crossroads: The Odonata of Oklahoma and Complexities Beyond its & Michael A. Patten Libellula vibrans Fabricius, 1793 - Great Blue Skimmer Borders. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, Florida, USA. Macrodiplax balteata (Hagen, 1861) - Marl Pennant Miathyria marcella (Selys, 1856) - Hyacinth Glider Oklahoma Biological Survey, Micrathyria hagenii Kirby, 1890 - Thornbush Dasher Oklahoma
    [Show full text]
  • Texas Water Meetings Could Impact Toledo Bend
    Texas water meetings could impact Toledo Bend Shreveport Times By Vickie Welborn . [email protected] . May 5, 2008 • Louisiana's Sabine River Authority officials will be keeping an eye on their neighbors in Texas in the coming weeks as public meetings are scheduled to solicit input on the maintenance of that state's rivers and streams. What, if anything, is ultimately decided could have an impact in Louisiana, too, since one of those waterways, the Sabine River, is shared by the adjoining states and is the source for Toledo Bend Reservoir. Of primary concern is if any change is made to the required flow of the Sabine River below the reservoir's dam. "This could impact Toledo Bend by requiring additional releases from the reservoir for downstream environmental conditions," SRA Executive Director Jim Pratt said. Doing so has the potential of undoing a long-sought agreement finally inked last year between the SRAs in Louisiana and Texas, as well as the utility companies that benefit from the reservoir's hydroelectric power plant, which requires power generation to cease once the 186,000-acre reservoir reaches 168 feet mean sea level. "Texas Parks and Wildlife has published an initial study that requires more than historical flows in the lower Sabine, and my understanding is they have determined we need to continue to release approximately 1-million acre-feet during the May to September period, which is contrary to the 168 feet minimum we have agreed to," Pratt said. Meetings Tuesday and Wednesday in Orange, Texas, will explain the technical studies and gather public knowledge and vision for the Sabine River.
    [Show full text]