Edwards Aquifer and the Habitat Conservation Plan. City of New Braunfels HCP Projects December 18, 2014

Transcription

1 Edwards Aquifer and the Habitat Conservation Plan City of New Braunfels HCP Projects December 18,

2 Endangered Species The overall goal of the EAHCP is to contribute to the recovery of the listed Endangered Species: Fountain Darter Comal Springs Dryopid Beetle Peck s Cave Amphipod Comal Springs Riffle Beetle 2

3 HCP ITP - Provision M addresses Spring Flows under 130 cfs - Low flow limit reached on July 05 th (USGS) - Clarification from USFWS was decided on October 30th - Approved HCP work from Clarification started on first week in November -Flows exceeded 130 cfs on Nov. 5 th (USGS) 3

4 HCP Work Plan Projects Old/New Channel and Landa Lake Restoration Gill Parasite Control and Research Non-Native Species Removal Decaying Vegetation Removal & DO Mgmt Riparian Improvement - Riffle Beetle Habitat (Spring Run 3) Low Impact Development Plan Old Channel Restoration - Bank Stabilization Flow Split Management (completed) 4

5 Old Channel & Aquatic Vegetation Restoration Red indicates location of the Landa Lake and Old Channel Restoration Areas Green indicates the extent of 2013 & 2014 Old Channel restoration activities Blue represents extent for suspended 2014 and future activities 5

6 Old Channel & Aquatic Vegetation Restoration Fountain Darter Habitat Goals (area in m2) Study Reach Bryophytes Hygrophila Ludwigia Cabomba Sagittaria Filamentous Algae Upper Spring Run Landa Lake 1, Vallisneria 4, ,250 13,500 Old Channel , New Channel 150 1, Total 6,150 2,450 2, , ,500 Table HCP Goals 6 6

7 Old Channel & Aquatic Vegetation Restoration Activities Non-native (Hygrophila) Removal -500 m 2 removed from Three Island area in Landa Lake -435 m 2 removed from Old Channel restoration area -Expansion of non-natives due to lack of gardening during Provision M Native Aquatic Plant Restoration -Planted a total of 7,263 native aquatic plants in In Landa Lake: 3,528 plants increasing planted area to 887 m 2 -In Old Channel: 3,745 plants increasing planted area to 1,383 m 2 -Bryophyte restoration-tested methods for establishing bryophytes -Efforts ceased with onset of Provision M Monitoring and Aquatic Gardening -Gardening ceased at onset of Provision M -Vegetation mapping in Spring & Fall Fountain Darter surveys in restored areas 7

8 Old Channel & Aquatic Vegetation Restoration Fountain Darter Surveys 8

9 Old Channel & Aquatic Vegetation Restoration 2015 Old Channel restoration will continue downstream past Elizabeth Street and upstream to the Landa Lake dam as conditions warrant. Continue removal of Hygrophila and planting of native species using same methods in previous years 9

10 Gill Parasite Control and Research -Snail Distribution and Density Monitoring -Parasite Cercariae Monitoring -Host Snail Infection Prevalence Monitoring -Fountain Darter Prevalence Infection 10

11 Gill Parasite Control and Research Host Snail Distribution and Density Surveys 11 11

12 Gill Parasites Control and Research Samples collected at 4 transects in February, June, August and September to determine concentrations of cercariae in water samples snails collected in 2014 and analyzed for gill parasites Mean concentration of all samples collected = 5.1 cercariae/l Overall infection rates of all areas sampled = 13.7% Sample area with highest infection rate located along SW shoreline of Landa Lake 12 12

13 Proposed Gill Parasite work Based on results of 2014 work -Continue monitoring the distribution and density of both host snail and drifting cercariae -Further data will aid in monitoring temporal trends of both species within the system, and provide additional insight into the mechanisms behind such trends -Additional data may help in determining if trends observed are seasonal, interannual, or discharge dependent. 13

14 Non-Native Animal Species Removal 14

15 Non native species removal 15

16 2014 Species Number Removed Armored Catfish 293 Tilapia 1602 Nutria 5 Giant Ramshorn Snail 1099 Totals

17 Proposed Non native species Based on 2013/2014 work - Continue removal of Non Native species - Coordinate with TPWD on Armored Catfish breeding research (Luci Cook-Hildreth) 17

18 Decaying Vegetation Removal & Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Management 18

19 Daily DO in Landa Lake 19

20 Annual DO in Landa Lake 20

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22 Proposed DO work Conduct research to evaluate dissolved oxygen (DO) levels and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) trends throughout Landa Lake Purchasing and installing additional aerators, as needed and based on research findings, to further supplement DO concentrations in Landa Lake Development of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to further define aeration deployment triggers, triggers for initiating removal of decaying/ floating vegetation mats, optimal locations for targeted removal, and procedures for fully utilizing aerators. 22

23 Riparian Improvements Riffle Beetle Habitat 23 23

24 Sediment capture off slope 24

25 Estimated volume of captured sediment Location Captured Sediment (yds 3 ) Site New Site Site Total

26 Proposed Riffle Beetle Habitat work Performing maintenance on existing vegetation and creating new sediment traps at along waters edge -Add additional native plants to the area along the waters edge to reduce sediment deposition into Spring Run 3. -Work further up along the waters edge to increase stability on the slope by installing native trees and shrubs. 26

27 Low Impact Development (LID) 27

28 28

29 Low Impact Development (LID) / Water Quality 2014 activities -Created flyer / handout at educational meetings -Coordinated with NB High School to start workshops/classes with LID focus -Created website for input / feedback from community 29 29

30 Based on 2014 work Proposed LID work Continue coordination with NB High School and local area schools on LID workshops/training and educational outreach - Refine website and post link to City website to further expand education and exposure of LID program - Coordinate within City & promote brochure/website information to local citizens and schools (outreach) 30

31 Riparian Zone Improvements and Bank Stabilization Final Design -Presentations to the Science Committee and Implementing Committee - Design and research based on input from Science Committee -USACE / THC reviewed final plans - Over the course of 2014, final design was accomplished and project is ready to bid and begin construction 31

32 Bank Stabilization conceptual design 32

33 Proposed Bank Stabilization work Based on flow conditions (preferred flow-160 cfs) - Proceed with project (going to Bid) - Continue to coordinate with USFWS / USACE / EAA / THC during entire project - Coordinate with NB Golf Course on Riparian Restoration areas along Old Channel 33

34 Flow Split Management 34 34

35 Flow Split Management 35

36 Flow Split Management 36

37 2014 work plan activities Flow Split Management Completed repair of 48 culvert and installation of 48 gate system 37

38 2014 work plan activities Flow Split Management Completed repair of 24 culverts and capping both pipes (for potential future use) 38

39 2014 work plan activities Flow Split Management Completed repair / replacement of failing trash rack for 12 culvert 39

40 Flow Split Management Proposed for 2015 Based on 2014 work - Continue observation of flows and exercise Flow split as needed to match Flow Split chart - Continue to educate NB staff on new SOP for Flow Split Management Chart - Perform inspections and maintenance on overall system to provide optimal performance 40

41 HCP Plan Projects -Internal Household Hazardous Waste Program Litter Control and Floating Vegetation Prohibition of Hazardous Material Routes Management of Public Recreation Use Golf Course Management Plan EAHCP Education (Community Outreach) 41

42 Household Hazardous Waste 3 events held per year (working with Comal County) Approximately 200 cars/visit Approximately tons/visit of material dropped off and then sent to landfill Each event has an educational aspect to it 42

43 43

44 Litter Control and Floating Vegetation 44 44

45 Prohibition of Hazardous Material Routes Existing and Proposed 45 45

46 Proposed Hazardous Waste Route Based on 2014 work - Continue coordination with TXDOT on sign creation and layout design - Continue coordination with TXDOT on implementation of signage (locations) - Continue coordination with updating regulations with TXDOT existing rules 46

47 Management of Public Recreation Use Reduction of Non-native species introduction Prevent further introduction of invasive aquatic species into Landa Lake and the Comal River. > Never dump aquarium fish, snails and plants into natural bodies of water, including Landa Lake and the Comal River! > Aquariums may contain fish, such as Suckermouth Catfish, Plecostomus (algae eaters) and Koi, as well as exotic snails and plants. These harmful, invasive species are able to thrive in Landa Lake and the Comal River due to stable, year-round water temperatures and availability of food sources. > Non-native species can cause disruption of native habitats and may cause harm to endangered species that live in Landa Lake and the Comal River. > Avoid using non-native aquatic species, such as koi and goldfish, for fishing bait. 47

48 Golf Course Management Plan 2014 work - Established stronger riparian buffer zones along waters edge - Rebuilt overflow channel (Landa Lake to Old Channel) - Provided new grading to include several ponds / water retention areas to increase infiltration (keeping water on the Golf course) 48

49 Golf Course - November

50 Golf Course - October

51 Dam Stabilization 51

52 EAHCP Education 52