Texas Stream Team Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program 2009 Upper Guadalupe River Data Summary

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1 Texas Stream Team Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program 29 Upper Guadalupe River Data Summary This data summary report includes general basin volunteer monitoring activity, general water quality descriptive statistics, tables and graphs, and comparisons to stream standards as related to aquatic life use criteria. In alignment with Texas Stream Team s core mission, monitors attempt to collect data that can be used in decision-making processes, to promote a healthier and safer environment for people and aquatic inhabitants. While many assume it is the responsibility of Texas Stream Team to serve as the main advocate for volunteer monitor data use, it has become increasingly important for monitors to be accountable for their monitoring information and how it can be infused into the decision-making process, from backyard concerns to state or regional issues. To assist with this effort, Texas Stream Team is coordinating with monitoring groups and government agencies to propagate numerous data use options. Among these options, volunteer monitors can directly participate by communicating their data to various stakeholders. Some options include: participating in the Clean Rivers Program (CRP) Steering Committee Process (see box insert on this page); providing information during public comment periods; attending city council and advisory panel meetings; developing relations with local Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and river authority water specialists; and, if necessary, filing complaints with environmental agencies; contacting elected representatives and media; or starting organizing local efforts to address areas of concern. The Texas Clean Rivers Act established a way for the citizens of Texas to participate in building the foundation for effective statewide watershed planning activities. Each CRP partner agency has established a steering committee to set priorities within its basin. These committees bring together the diverse interests in each basin and watershed. Steering committee participants include representatives from the public, government, industry, business, agriculture, and environmental groups. The steering committee is designed to allow local concerns to be addressed and regional solutions are recommended. For more information about participating in these steering committee meetings and to contribute your views about water quality, contact the appropriate CRP partner agency for your river basin at: Currently, Texas Stream Team is working with various public and private organizations to facilitate data and information sharing. One component of this process includes interacting with watershed stakeholders at CRP steering committee meetings. A major function of these meetings is to discuss water quality issues and to obtain input from the general public. While participation in this process may not bring about instantaneous results, it is a great place to begin making institutional connections and to learn how to work the assessment and protection system that Texas agencies use to keep water resources healthy and sustainable. 1

2 In general, Texas Stream Team efforts to use volunteer data may include the following: 1. Assist monitors with data analysis and interpretation 2. Analyze watershed-level or site-by-site data for monitors and partners 3. Screen all data annually for values outside expected ranges 4. Network with monitors and pertinent agencies to communicate data 5. Attend meetings and conferences to communicate data 6. Participate in CRP stakeholder meetings 7. Provide a data viewing forum via the Texas Stream Team Data Viewer 8. Participate in professional coordinated monitoring processes to raise awareness of areas of concern Information collected by Texas Stream Team volunteers utilizes a TCEQ and EPA approved quality assurance project plan (QAPP) to ensure data are correct and accurately reflects the environmental conditions being monitored. All data are screened for completeness, precision and accuracy where applicable, and scrutinized with data quality objective and data validation techniques. Sample results are intended to be used for education and research, baseline, local decision making, problem identification, and others uses deemed appropriate by the data user. Graphs are compiled and situated to assist the data user in obtaining information from the collected data. Where applicable, time is located on the x or horizontal axis and is chronologically listed from oldest to most recent sampling. The y1 or y2 axes contain the constituent(s) of interest. Note: ph values were not transformed for graphing purposes or for developing mean statistics; data collection events may not be evenly distributed over time (through seasons and years); sampling events may occur at different times of the day; sample collection and results documentation may have been completed by different monitors over time at each site; data collected by school groups should undergo additional scrutiny before use; data summary information is subject to change. 2

3 Guadalupe River Watershed Description The headwaters of the Guadalupe River form in southwestern Kerr County and then flow southeasterly toward Guadalupe Bay. The total basin drainage area is 6,7 square miles. Canyon Lake in Comal County is the only reservoir in the basin covering 8,23 surface acres. Due to the excellent water quality and abundant spring flow from the Edwards Aquifer, the entire Guadalupe River and its tributaries are used extensively for contact recreation and play a major role in the basin's economy. This data summary report covers nine sites in the Upper Guadalupe River Basin, labeled TCEQ stream segment 186. While all sites covered in this report are upstream of Canyon Lake 3

4 Dam in Comal County, two sites are in Canyon Lake (segment 185) and three sites lie within the boundaries of Guadalupe River State Park (GRSP). This report was prepared in connection with a presentation over water quality issues in segment 186 and 185 that will be held at GRSP on September 11 th, 29. Segment 186 has been listed on the TCEQ s 33 (d) List of Impaired Water Bodies since 22 for bacteria. The area of impairment is a stretch in Kerrville. The farthest upstream station in this report is over 35 miles downstream of Kerrville. Another impaired stream, Camp Meeting Creek (Segment 186A) has been on the list since 1999 for depressed dissolved oxygen. Segment 185 (Canyon Lake) has been on the list since 26 for mercury in edible fish tissue. DATA The following information summarizes water quality data collected at nine sites in the Upper Guadalupe basin region in Kendall County and Comal County, Texas. Information presented in this report will be accompanied by corresponding charts and graphs. For all graphs, site name or sample date is located on the x or horizontal axis. This axis represents the independent variable, location of site or time. The data points on the x axis progress from upstream to downstream or chronologically from oldest to most recent sampling. The y1 or y2 axes contain the constituent(s) of interest. Data collected by Texas Stream Team monitors include: ph, specific conductivity, water and air temperature, dissolved oxygen, total depth, Secchi depth, E.coli, field observations, flow severity, days since last precipitation, and others. There were 211 samples taken from the Upper Guadalupe River, Honey Creek, and Canyon Lake from June 1 st, 1996 to June 1 st, 29. Sampling times ranged from 7: am to 7:45 pm. All monitoring was conducted by Texas Stream Team volunteers from the Master Naturalists Lindheimer Chapter, Texas State University, and Churchill High School in partnership with the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority. This report has water quality data on E.coli bacteria, which is used as an indicator of pathogens in a water body for assessing human contact recreation standards. The TCEQ has set the criteria for a single sample at 394 colony forming units (cfu)/1ml for human contact recreation standards. At this level, eight in one-thousand people will most likely get sick from ingestion of the water. Water Temperature Summary Water temperature affects many different aspects of water quality. It can effect feeding, reproduction, and the metabolism of aquatic animals as well as the rate of chemical reactions and solubility of compounds in the water. In this data set, mean water temperature readings ranged from 16 C to The maximum reading of 31 was taken at the GRSP Road site on July 31 st, 28 and the minimum of 9 was also taken at the GRSP Road site on February 1 st, Specific Conductivity Summary 4

5 Specific Conductivity (SC) levels measure the amount of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) that are present in a water sample. These can be a wide variety of inorganic substances such as sodium, chloride, nitrates, and phosphates. Generally, high SC values indicate salt water, while lower values are usually observed in fresh water. SC is measured using micro Siemens per centimeter (µs/cm). In this data set, mean SC values ranged from 398 to 583 µs/cm. The maximum value of 113 µs/cm was observed at the Tom Creek tributary to Canyon Lake on March 19 th, 28 and the minimum value of 31 µs/cm was observed at the GRSP Road site on June 7 th, Dissolved Oxygen Summary Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is the oxygen freely available to fish and other aquatic life. Traditionally, the level of DO has been accepted as the single most important indicator of a water body s ability to support desirable aquatic life. It is measured in milligrams per liter (mg/l). When DO levels drop below 5. mg/l, it is deemed in exceedance of safe DO levels, thus, dangerous for aquatic life. While DO values are only quality-assured with evidence of dual titrations, all values were kept intact in this dataset for purposes of data completeness. Each site s DO values were fully incorporated into statistical analysis, however, not denoted 1% complete when dual titrations are absent. In this data set, mean DO values ranged from 7.1 to 8.1 mg/l. The maximum value of 1.9 mg/l was observed at the GRSP Road site on December 22 nd, 28 and the minimum value of 2.9 mg/l was observed at the Canyon Lake Paradise Point site on July 25 th, 28. ph Summary ph levels measure how acidic or alkaline the water sample is. A reading is taken on a 14 scale measured in standard units (su). When ph levels fall out of the 5 9 su range, it begins to become a problem for aquatic life In this data set, mean ph values ranged from 7.3 to 8.1 su. The maximum value of 8.5 su was observed at the GRSP Road site on September 25 th, 24 and the minimum value of 7 su was observed many times at multiple sites. E.coli Summary E.coli is an indicator bacteria for harmful pathogens present in a water body. It is measured in colony forming units (cfu)/1ml. For a water body to meet the TCEQ contact recreation standards, the E.coli count must be less than or equal to 394 cfu/1ml. If the site yields exceedingly high values 25% of all sampling events, it is considered to exceed contact recreation standards. In this data set, mean E.coli values ranged from 1 to 29 cfu/1ml. The maximum value of 6 cfu/1ml was observed 3 times at both the GRSP Road and Swimming Area sites. The minimum value of cfu/1ml was observed many times at all three GRSP sites as well as at the SH 311 site. These results do not reinforce the 33 (d) listing for bacterial impairment. A graph displaying all E.coli values is shown in the conclusions of this report. Guadalupe River at FM 3351 SITE BY SITE 5

6 From December 3 rd, 28 to May 2 th, 29 there were 6 samples taken from the site at FM Sampling times ranged from 1:3 am to 12:15 pm with the average sampling time occurring at 11:17 am. All sampling was conducted by Dan and Jensie Madden. This site is intended for E.coli monitoring only. Samples ranged from 1 to 4 cfu/1ml with an average value of 2 cfu/1ml. There were no E.coli exceedances measured. Guadalupe River at FM 3351 (8524) Parameter N % complete Min Mean Max Std. Dev. Sample Time 6 1 1:3 11:17 12:15 :4 Total Depth (m) Secchi Depth (m) Air Temperature ( C) Water Temperature ( C) Specific Conductivity (µs/cm) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) ph (su) E.coli (cfu/1ml)

7 DO exceedance [< 6. mg/l] NA NA E.coli exceedance [> 394 cfu/1ml] of 6 % Guadalupe River at GRSP Road From July 6 th, 1996 to May 2 th, 29 there were 42 samples taken from the GRSP Road site. Sampling did not occur during the years of , 25, and only one sample was taken during 26. Routine monitoring resumed once again in February 27. Sampling times ranged from 7: am to 4:45 pm with the average sampling time occurring at 11:29 am. All sampling was conducted by Tom Anderson, Ernest Lee, Donna Lee, Jeanette Brace, Robert Gray, and Dan Madden. Water temperature readings ranged from 9 C to 31 with an average of 2.4. Total depth and Secchi depth readings were almost identical to each other, indicating a high level of water transparency. SC values ranged from 31 to 72 µs/cm with an average value of 58 µs/cm. DO values ranged from 5 to 1.9 mg/l with an average value of 7.8 mg/l. Of all DO values, 3 were less than the 6. mg/l standard, giving the site a 7% exceedance rate. ph values ranged from 7 to 8.5 su with an average value of 7.8 su. There were 11 E.coli samples taken from this site ranging from to 6 cfu/1ml with an average value of 29 cfu/1ml. There were no E.coli exceedances measured. Guadalupe River at State Park Road (154) Parameter N % complete Min Mean Max Std. Dev. Sample Time : 11:29 16:45 2:32 Total Depth (m) Secchi Depth (m) Air Temperature ( C) Water Temperature ( C) Specific Conductivity (µs/cm) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) ph (su) E.coli (cfu/1ml) DO exceedance [< 6. mg/l] 3 of 41 7% E.coli exceedance [> 394 cfu/1ml] of 11 % 7

8 12 1 GRSP Road: Dissolved Oxygen and Water Temperature 35 3 Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) Dissolved Oxygen Water Temperature Water Temperature ( C) GRSP Road: Secchi and Total Depth.2 Depth (m) Secchi Depth Total Depth 8

9 Guadalupe River at GRSP Swimming Area From October 28 th, 28 to May 2 th, 29 there were 9 E.coli samples taken from the GRSP Swimming Area site. Of these 9 sampling events, 3 also captured water and air temperature. Sampling times ranged from 11:15 am to 3:1 pm with the average sampling time occurring at 1:13 pm. All sampling was conducted by Robert Gray and Dan Madden. Water temperature readings ranged from 15 C to 21 with an average of 18. E.coli values ranged from to 6 cfu/1ml with an average value of 22 cfu/1ml. There were no E.coli exceedances measured. Guadalupe River State Park Swimming Area (8516) Parameter N % complete M in Mean Max Std. Dev. Sample Time :15 13:13 15:1 1:5 Total Depth (m) Secchi Depth (m) Air Temperature ( C) Water Temperature ( C) Specific Conductivity (µs/cm) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) ph (su) E.coli (cfu/1ml) DO exceedance [< 6. mg/l] NA NA E.coli exceedance [> 394 cfu/1ml] of 9 % G uadalupe River at GRSP Rapids From October 28 th, 28 to May 2 th, 29 there were 1 E.coli samples taken from the GRSP Rapids site. Of these 1 sampling events, 4 also captured water temperature and 1 other captured all other parameters. Sampling times ranged from 11:21 am to 2:54 pm with the average sampling time occurring at 1:24 pm. All sampling was conducted by Robert Gray and Dan Madden. Water temperature readings ranged from 1 C to 21 with an average of 16. E.coli values ranged from to 4 cfu/1ml with an average value of 19 cfu/1ml. There were no E.coli exceedances measured. Guadalupe River State Park Rapids (852) Parameter N % complete M in Mean Max Std. Dev. Sample Time :21 13:24 14:54 :57 Total Depth (m) Secchi Depth (m) Air Temperature ( C) Water Temperature ( C) Specific Conductivity (µs/cm) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) ph (su) E.coli (cfu/1ml) DO exceedance [< 6. mg/l] of 1 % E.coli exceedance [> 394 cfu/1ml] of 1 % 9

10 H oney Creek at Unimproved Road Crossing From June 1 st, 1996 to June 1 st, 29 there were 28 samples taken from Honey Creek at Unimproved Road Crossing. Sampling was consistent from June 1996 to November 1997, when it halted until February 28. From then it has been consistent and continues currently. Sampling times ranged from 9: am to 3:3 pm with the average sampling time occurring at 1:5 am. All sampling was conducted by Tom Anderson, Richard Hensley, and Chris Menzel. Water temperature readings ranged from 17 C to 24 with an average of 2.4. Total depth and Secchi depth readings were almost identical to each other, indicating a high level of water transparency. SC values ranged from 39 to 65 µs/cm with an average of 583 µs/cm. DO values ranged from 5.3 to 8.5 mg/l with an average value of 7.1 mg/l. Of all DO values, only 1 was less than the 6. mg/l standard, giving the site a 4% exceedance rate. ph values ranged from 7 to 7.8 su with an average value of 7.3 su. There were no E.coli samples taken at this site. 1

11 Honey Creek at Unimproved Road Crossing (15399) Parameter N % complete Min Mean Max Std. Dev. Sample Time : 1:5 15:3 1:14 Total Depth (m) Secchi Depth (m) Air Temperature ( C) Water Temperature ( C) Specific Conductivity (µs/cm) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) ph (su) E.coli (cfu/1ml) DO exceedance [< 6. mg/l] 1 of 27 4% E.coli exceedance [> 394 cfu/1ml] NA NA Honey Creek: Dissolved Oxygen and Water Temperature 9 3 Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) Dissolved Oxygen Water Temperature Water Temperature ( C) 11

12 Honey Creek: Secchi and Total Depth.5 Depth (m) Secchi Disk Total Depth Guadalupe River at SH 311 From December 14 th, 28 to February 15 th, 29 there were 3 samples taken from the site at SH 311. Sampling times ranged from 11:2 am to 1:15 pm with the average sampling time occurring at 12:17 pm. All sampling was conducted by Susan Bogle. This site is intended for E.coli monitoring only. Samples ranged from to 2 cfu/1ml with an average value of 1 cfu/1ml. There were no E.coli exceedances measured. Guadalupe River at SH 311 (1357) Parameter N % complete Min Mean Max Std. Dev. Sample Time :2 12:17 13:15 :58 Total Depth (m) Secchi Depth (m) Air Temperature ( C) Water Temperature ( C) Specific Conductivity (µs/cm) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) ph (su) E.coli (cfu/1ml) DO exceedance [< 6. mg/l] NA NA E.coli exceedance [> 394 cfu/1ml] of 3 % 12

13 13

14 Rebecca Creek at its confluence with Guadalupe River From April 19 th, 23 to April 25 th, 25 there were 12 samples taken from Rebecca Creek at its confluence with the Guadalupe River. Sampling times ranged from 3:5 pm to 7:45 pm with the average sampling time occurring at 5:31 pm. All sampling was conducted by Jeff Mitchell. Water temperature readings ranged from 13.5 C to 29.5 with an average of Total depth readings ranged from 1.4 to 1.5 m with an average of 1.4 m while Secchi depth readings ranged from.2 to 1 m with an average of.43 m. SC values ranged from 41 to 61 µs/cm with an average value of 515 µs/cm. DO values ranged from 6.6 to 9.6 mg/l with an average value of 8.1 mg/l. There were no DO exceedances measured. ph values ranged from 7.9 to 8.4 su with an average value of 8.1 su. There were no E.coli samples taken at this site. Rebecca Creek at confluence with Guadalupe River (8198) Parameter N % complete Min Mean Max Std. Dev. Sample Time :5 17:31 19:45 1:3 Total Depth (m) Secchi Depth (m) Air Temperature ( C) Water Temperature ( C) Specific Conductivity (µs/cm) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) ph (su) E.coli (cfu/1ml) DO exceedance [< 6. mg/l] of 12 % E.coli exceedance [> 394 cfu/1ml] NA NA 14

15 12 Rebecca Creek Confluence: Dissolved Oxygen and Water Temperature 35 Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) Dissolved Oxygen Water Temperature Water Temperature ( C) Rebecca Creek Confluence: Secchi and Total Depth.2.4 Depth (m) Secchi Disk Total Depth

16 Canyon Lake at Canyon Lake Hills/Paradise Point From December 15 th, 24 to January 22 nd, 29 there were 51 samples taken from Canyon Lake at Canyon Lake Hills/Paradise Point. Sampling times ranged from 7:38 am to 4:3 pm with the average sampling time occurring at 11: am. All sampling was conducted by Jeanette Brace and Lois Ricci. Water temperature readings ranged from 1 C to 3 with an average of 2.9. Total depth and Secchi depth readings were almost identical to each other, indicating a high level of water transparency. SC values ranged from 35 to 48 µs/cm with an average value of 398 µs/cm. DO values ranged from 2.9 to 9.9 mg/l with an average value of 7.7 mg/l. Of all DO values, 3 were less than the 6. mg/l standard, giving the site a 6% exceedance rate. ph values ranged from 7.3 to 8.4 su with an average value of 7.8 su. There were 1 E.coli samples taken from this site ranging from to 4 cfu/1ml with an average of 15 cfu/1ml. There were no E.coli exceedances measured. 16

17 Canyon Lake at Canyon Lake Hills/Paradise Point (8231) Parameter N % complete Min Mean Max Std. Dev. Sample Time :38 11: 16:3 1:53 Total Depth (m) Secchi Depth (m) Air Temperature ( C) Water Temperature ( C) Specific Conductivity (µs/cm) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) ph (su) E.coli (cfu/1ml) DO exceedance [< 6. mg/l] 3 of 5 6% E.coli exceedance [> 394 cfu/1ml] of 1 % 12 Canyon Lake Paradise Point: Dissolved Oxygen and Water Temperature Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) Dissolved Oxygen Water Temperature Water Temperature ( C) 17

18 Canyon Lake Paradise Point: Secchi and Total Depth 1 2 Depth (m) Secchi Disk Total Depth 18

19 Tom Creek tributary to Canyon Lake From December 15 th, 24 to January 22 nd, 29 there were 5 samples taken from the Tom Creek tributary to Canyon Lake. Sampling times ranged from 7:3 am to 4:55 pm with the average sampling time occurring at 1:14 am. All sampling was conducted by Lois Ricci. Water temperature readings ranged from 12 C to 3 with an average of Total depth and Secchi depth readings were almost identical to each other, indicating a high level of water transparency. SC values ranged from 36 to 113 µs/cm with an average value of 42 µs/cm. DO values ranged from 4.8 to 1.1 mg/l with an average value of 7.6 mg/l. Of all DO values, 5 were less than the 6. mg/l standard, giving the site a 1% exceedance rate. ph values ranged from 7 to 8 su with an average value of 7.7 su. There were no E.coli exceedances measured. Tom Creek tributary to Canyon Lake (8238) Parameter N % complete Min Mean Max Std. Dev. Sample Time 5 1 7:3 1:14 16:55 2:19 Total Depth (m) Secchi Depth (m) Air Temperature ( C) Water Temperature ( C) Specific Conductivity (µs/cm) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) ph (su) E.coli (cfu/1ml) DO exceedance [< 6. mg/l] 5 of 5 1% E.coli exceedance [> 394 cfu/1ml] NA NA 19

20 12 Tom Creek Tributary: Dissolved Oxygen and Water Temperature 35 Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) Dissolved Oxygen Water Temperature 12/15/24 12/15/25 12/15/26 12/15/27 12/15/28 Water Temperature ( C) Tom Creek Tributary: Secchi and Total Depth Depth (m) Secchi Disk Total Depth 2

21 CONCLUSIONS E.coli (cfu/1ml) Upper Guadalupe E.coli Values FM 3351 GRSP Road GRSP Swim Area GRSP Rapids SH 311 Canyon Lake PP 394 cfu standard Overall, the water quality recorded in this report is in desirable condition for human recreation and aquatic life uses in the Upper Guadalupe Basin. The E.coli and DO data presented here does not support the 33 (d) listings for bacteria in segment 186 or for depressed DO in segment 186A. All E.coli levels can be seen in the graph above. Not one sample exceeds even 1 cfu/1ml, much less the 394 cfu standard for human contact recreation. Data in this report does not allow for assessment of the listing in segment 185 (Canyon Lake) for mercury in edible fish tissue. According to TCEQ, the area of impairment for bacteria is concentrated in the stretch of the river flowing through Kerrville. Texas Stream Team does not currently have active monitoring sites in Kerrville, and while the farthest upstream station to this area of impairment in this report (FM 3351 site) is over 35 miles downstream, it is difficult to compare the data between these two stretches of river. Future monitoring of the said areas of impairment would possibly yield different results. Therefore, it can be concluded that the high concentrations of bacteria are diluted before reaching the Texas Stream Team sites presented in this report. Aside from E.coli and DO, all other parameters show stable ambient conditions. ph values do not fall outside of the 7 to 8.5 su range. These levels are slightly alkaline as can be expected from water flowing through and dissolving calcium carbonate (limestone rock), however within the range for a healthy aquatic habitat. The same can be said for SC values. The highest value in the dataset of 113 µs/cm is an isolated occurrence and can be seen as an outlier. The next highest value of 72 µs/cm was observed at the GRSP Road site and within the acceptable range for all designated uses of the stream. The consistent monitoring conducted on all sites helps to establish ambient water quality conditions and is the first step to having the capacity to identify and understand threats to the integrity of the water body. 21