1. Water Quality Assessment Cypress Creek Adrian L. Vogl Aquatic Resources Texas State University Jason Pinchback River System Institute Texas State University

2. Outline Long-term trends 1973-2007 –Cypress Creek at RR-12 Short-term trends 2003-2007 –4 sites on Cypress Creek –Jacob’s Well, RR-12, Blue Hole, Blanco River Conclusions Decision Support System

3. Long-term trends Overall water quality still very high

4. Long-term patterns Fecal coliform and Streamflow

7. Short-term Trends 2003-2007

8. Short-term trends E coli, Nitrogen, and Total Suspended Solids correlate with flow peaks Also seeing some peaks at low flows

9. Short-term trends Total suspended solids increased since 2000

10. Upstream to Downstream WQ Upstream to downstream trends –pH ↑ –SC ↓ –TSS ↑

11. E. Coli in Cypress Creek E. coli increases downstream, peaks at Blue Hole site

12. 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

13. Decision Support System (DSS) Output Module Database management system Topography Hydrology Water quality Land Use/Land Cover Economic Indicators Simulation model(s) User Interface

14. 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