Water Quality Assessment Cypress Creek Adrian L. Vogl Aquatic Resources Texas State University Jason Pinchback River System Institute Texas State University
Outline Long-term trends –Cypress Creek at RR-12 Short-term trends –4 sites on Cypress Creek –Jacob’s Well, RR-12, Blue Hole, Blanco River Conclusions Decision Support System
Long-term trends Overall water quality still very high
Long-term patterns Fecal coliform and Streamflow
Short-term Trends
Short-term trends E coli, Nitrogen, and Total Suspended Solids correlate with flow peaks Also seeing some peaks at low flows
Short-term trends Total suspended solids increased since 2000
Upstream to Downstream WQ Upstream to downstream trends –pH ↑ –SC ↓ –TSS ↑
E. Coli in Cypress Creek E. coli increases downstream, peaks at Blue Hole site
Conclusions Need to have continued monitoring Multiple sites useful for –Determining upstream to downstream trends –Identifying problem areas for NPS –Observe long-term trends in WQ
Decision Support System (DSS) Output Module Database management system Topography Hydrology Water quality Land Use/Land Cover Economic Indicators Simulation model(s) User Interface
DSS Purposes Better understand cause-and-effect relationships in the watershed Objectively compare the effects of possible land management practices Aid in reaching agreement regarding specific local areas in need of increased protection and the management strategies to be pursued Assist ongoing efforts in public outreach and education concerning the watershed management and water quality issues