1. Stream Flow, Habitat, and Biological Assessments of Big Cypress Bayou An Update on USGS Activities J. Bruce Moring, Ph.D. U.S. Geological Survey Austin, Texas jbmoring@usgs.gov 512.927.3585 (office) 512.940.0505 (cell)

2. Stream Flow Objectives Objectives - Evaluate the accuracy and assumed benefits of prescribed flows derived from the flows-ecology building blocks. - Monitor stream flows during prescribed releases from Lake O The Pines (LOP). - Provide the USACE with stage and discharge data in support of modeling efforts to evaluate areas of inundation during releases from LOP. - Coordinate with USACE FW District Reservoir Control in translating prescribed flows to prescribed hydrographs for releases from LOP.

3. Stream Flow, cont. …. Eleven sites on Big Cypress Bayou instrumented with pressure transducers to monitor stage and temperature. Pressure transducers at 4 USGS study sites have been recording since the early winter of 2006. Seven USACE x-sections were instrumented with pressure transducers in late Jan 2007 to record LOP releases.

4. Tasks Completed Tasks Completed -Began evaluation of the accuracy of prescribed flows to maintain connectivity and aquatic diversity in the low- flow channel. -Began evaluation of the accuracy of prescribed flows to maintain connectivity and aquatic diversity in the low- flow channel. - Developed preliminary ratings for four USGS sites - Developed preliminary ratings for four USGS sites -Provided stage data from Jan 07 release from LOP to USACE for travel-time analysis. -Provided stage data from Jan 07 release from LOP to USACE for travel-time analysis. Stream Flow, cont. …

5. Evaluating Flow Building Blocks for the Low-Flow Channel

6. BC00 BC00 – Big Cypress below Jefferson (Raineys) BC01 – Big Cypress above Hwy 59 (Sanders) BC02 – Big Cypress near Lynn Oil Field (Lockes) BC03 – Big Cypress below Lake O The Pines (Thomas Camp) USGS Reaches

10. 6 cfs 13 cfs 536 cfs 40 cfs 1500 cfs

13. Future Tasks (i.e., planned through Sept 2007) Future Tasks (i.e., planned through Sept 2007) -Complete stage to discharge ratings for USGS sites and prelim. ratings for 7 USACE x-sections that are instrumented with pressure transducers. -Complete stage to discharge ratings for USGS sites and prelim. ratings for 7 USACE x-sections that are instrumented with pressure transducers. -Determine the variability in high-flow pulses and low-flows in Big Cypress Bayou required to provide the geomorphic and ecological benefits defined in the building blocks with differences largely upstream and downstream of Jefferson! -Determine the variability in high-flow pulses and low-flows in Big Cypress Bayou required to provide the geomorphic and ecological benefits defined in the building blocks with differences largely upstream and downstream of Jefferson! - Emphasis on flows between bankfull and subsistence! - Emphasis on flows between bankfull and subsistence! - Consider a controlled release from LOP in late summer 07 - Consider a controlled release from LOP in late summer 07 to evaluate accuracy of prescribed high summer base and subsistence to evaluate accuracy of prescribed high summer base and subsistence flows. flows. -Acquire highly accurate elevations (± 5 cm) using RTK GPS at the 7 USACE x- sections that are instrumented and convert all stage data to elevations to support HEC modeling of extent of inundation of backwater areas. -Acquire highly accurate elevations (± 5 cm) using RTK GPS at the 7 USACE x- sections that are instrumented and convert all stage data to elevations to support HEC modeling of extent of inundation of backwater areas. Stream Flow, cont. …

14. Geomorphic/Habitat Objectives Objectives -Determine basic geomorphic characteristics of the low-flow channel at selected sites on Big Cypress Bayou between Lake O The Pines and the confluence of Black Cypress Bayou. -Determine basic geomorphic characteristics of the low-flow channel at selected sites on Big Cypress Bayou between Lake O The Pines and the confluence of Black Cypress Bayou. -Evaluate the accuracy of prescribed flows as they relate to geomorphic features,.e.g., bankfull height, connectivity of geomorphic channel units such as riffles – runs – pools. -Evaluate the accuracy of prescribed flows as they relate to geomorphic features,.e.g., bankfull height, connectivity of geomorphic channel units such as riffles – runs – pools. -Compare differences in basic geomorphic characteristics between a primary reach on Big Cypress Bayou (BC01 at Sanders Ranch) and an adjacent reach on Black Cypress Bayou. -Compare differences in basic geomorphic characteristics between a primary reach on Big Cypress Bayou (BC01 at Sanders Ranch) and an adjacent reach on Black Cypress Bayou.

15. Tasks Completed Tasks Completed -Measured and compared -Measured and compared basis geomorphic and basis geomorphic and characteristics for 4 USGS characteristics for 4 USGS study reaches. study reaches. -Evaluated the accuracy and -Evaluated the accuracy and variability in prescribed flows variability in prescribed flows as related to basic geomorphic as related to basic geomorphic features at 4 USGS study sites. features at 4 USGS study sites. Geomorphic/Habitat, cont. …

16. Future Tasks (i.e., planned through Sept 2007) Future Tasks (i.e., planned through Sept 2007) -Complete field assessments of primary reach on Big Cypress (BC01) and adjacent reach on Black Cypress (BLC01). -Complete field assessments of primary reach on Big Cypress (BC01) and adjacent reach on Black Cypress (BLC01). -Expand on comparing variability of channel features such as bankfull width and height (and bankfull discharge) in Big Cypress Bayou between LOP and the confluence of Black Cypress Bayou by adding USACE x-sections. -Expand on comparing variability of channel features such as bankfull width and height (and bankfull discharge) in Big Cypress Bayou between LOP and the confluence of Black Cypress Bayou by adding USACE x-sections. Geomorphic/Habitat, cont. …

17. Aquatic Biota Objectives Objectives -Baseline (pre-release of prescribed flows) assessment of the fish assemblage in Big Cypress Bayou at four USGS study reaches between LOP and the confluence of Black Cypress Bayou. -Baseline (pre-release of prescribed flows) assessment of the fish assemblage in Big Cypress Bayou at four USGS study reaches between LOP and the confluence of Black Cypress Bayou. -Mesohabitat-specific (i.e., riffle-run-pool) assessment of fish and benthic macroinvertebrate (emphasis on FW mussels) taxa richness and relative abundance in a primary reach on Big Cypress (BC01) and an adjacent reach on Black Cypress (BL01). -Mesohabitat-specific (i.e., riffle-run-pool) assessment of fish and benthic macroinvertebrate (emphasis on FW mussels) taxa richness and relative abundance in a primary reach on Big Cypress (BC01) and an adjacent reach on Black Cypress (BL01).

18. Mesohabitat Assessments Complete mesohabitat assessments of fish and benthics in conjunction with late summer 07 releases from LOP. Complete mesohabitat assessments of fish and benthics in conjunction with late summer 07 releases from LOP. Evaluate fish occurrence and distribution in each mesohabitat at primary reach during summer high base flow (40-100 cfs) vs. summer low base/subsistence flow (6-20 cfs). Evaluate fish occurrence and distribution in each mesohabitat at primary reach during summer high base flow (40-100 cfs) vs. summer low base/subsistence flow (6-20 cfs). Accomplish baseline mesohabitat-specific fish and mussel surveys during summer 07 subsistence flows in Big Cypress and paired reach on Black Cypress Bayou. Accomplish baseline mesohabitat-specific fish and mussel surveys during summer 07 subsistence flows in Big Cypress and paired reach on Black Cypress Bayou. Other opportunities during late summer release? Other opportunities during late summer release? - Sediment transport (e.g., bed and suspended load) - Sediment transport (e.g., bed and suspended load) - Drift and dispersal of benthic macroinvertebrates in relation to flow. - Drift and dispersal of benthic macroinvertebrates in relation to flow. - Monitor temperature before, during, and after period of release. - Monitor temperature before, during, and after period of release.

19. Cumulative total of 42 species From Four USGS reaches in Big Cypress Bayou Bigmouth buffalo, Blackstripe topminnow, Blacktail shiner, Bluegill, Bluehead shiner, Bluntnose darter, Bowfin, Brook silverside, Bullhead minnow, Chain pickerel, Channel catfish, Common carp, Dollar sunfish, Dusky darter, Flathead catfish, Freckled madtom, Freshwater drum, Gizzard shad, Golden topminnow, Grass pickerel, Green sunfish, Largemouth bass, Logperch, Longear sunfish, Pirate perch, Pugnose minnow, Red shiner, Redbreast sunfish, Redear sunfish, Redfin shiner, Scaley sand darter, Smallmouth buffalo, Spotted bass, Spotted gar, Spotted sucker, Spotted sunfish, Swamp darter, Threadfin shad, Warmouth, Weed shiner, Western mosquitofish, White crappie Arkansas darter, Yellow bullhead, Flier, Lake chubsuckker, Mud darter, Slough darter, Harliquin darter, Cypress darter, Eastern redfin darter, Western starhead topminnow, Blackspotted topminnow, Cypress minnow, Mississippi silvery minnow, Longnose gar, Orangespotted sunfish, Spotted sunfish, Common shiner, White bass, Yellow bass, Golden shiner, Pallid shiner, Emerald shiner, Blackspot shiner, Ironcolor shiner, Spottail shiner, Tailight shiner, Mimic shiner, Tadpole Madtom, Blackside darter, Creek chubsucker 72 species of fish known historically from Big Cypress Bayou Fish from USGS assemblage surveys Species historically known from Big Cypress but not collected at USGS reaches

20. Aquatic Biota, cont. … Tasks Completed Tasks Completed IBI Metric ComponentBC03BC02BC01BC00 Total # fish species26292827 # of native cyprinid species4566 # of benthic invertivore species17182015 # of sunfish species6566 # of intolerant species2242 % of indv as tolerant species*15.509.289.8819.81 % of indv as omnivores5.252.690.507.74 % of indv as invertivores89.0094.0196.8284.52 % of indv as piscivores4.253.292.517.43 # indv/seine haul0.001.753.400.00 # indv/min electrofishing7.175.5311.715.87 % of indv as non-native species0.250.300.00 % of indv with anomailies0.00 0.31 Regional IBI SCORE51.0053.0055.00 AQUATIC LIFE USEHighExceptional * excluding western mosquitofish -Baseline fish assemblage Surveys at 4 USGS Study sites -Post Jan 07 release fish survey of Oxbow Lake that was connected with over-bank flow during January release -Individual component metrics and IBI score very similar to Black Cypress Bayou (Black Cypress nr Jefferson IBIs 48 – 56, TCEQ 2005)

21. Cluster Analysis: Big Cypress vs. Black Cypress nr Jefferson at Hwy 59 (used fish species presence-absence input file)

22. Future Tasks (i.e., planned through Sept 2007) Future Tasks (i.e., planned through Sept 2007) -Compare recent baseline fish data to historical data from Big Cypress and Black Cypress Bayou (i.e., source, Bonner et al. @ TSU). -Compare recent baseline fish data to historical data from Big Cypress and Black Cypress Bayou (i.e., source, Bonner et al. @ TSU). - Emphasis on addressing species gain/loss, and number of obligate riverine obligate vs. generalists. -Mesohabitat-specific fish and mussel surveys comparing habitat utilization between primary Big Cypress reach (BC01) and adjacent reach on Black Cypress Bayou (BL01). -Mesohabitat-specific fish and mussel surveys comparing habitat utilization between primary Big Cypress reach (BC01) and adjacent reach on Black Cypress Bayou (BL01). -Comparison of mussel and fish diversity between primary reaches on Big Cypress and Black Cypress Bayou done in conjunction with summer low-flow releases from LOP. -Comparison of mussel and fish diversity between primary reaches on Big Cypress and Black Cypress Bayou done in conjunction with summer low-flow releases from LOP. Aquatic Biota, cont. …

23. Proposed Schedule: May - Sept 2007 TaskMayJuneJulyAugSept Flows-Ecology Meeting in Jefferson16 Flows-Ecology Meeting in Austin6 Field trip(s) to establish locate new NGS benchmarks and install temporary benchmarks for USGS/USACE monuments Acquire elevations using RTK PGS at USGS/USACE X-section monuments, benchmarks and other features Meso-habitat biological surveys of primary reaches on Big Cypress and Black Cypress Elevation data, ratings, etc.. available to USACE and others Fy07 project summary, data and PowerPoint presentations to CLI 16 - 27 25 - 29 13 - 24 31 30

26. BC03 (Thomas Camp) COE16 (USACE X-section below Jefferson and just above confluence of Black Cypress Bayou