Water Quality Assessment Cypress Creek Adrian L Vogl

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 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

Long-term trends • Overall water quality still very high

Long-term patterns Fecal coliform and Streamflow

Short-term Trends 2003 -2007

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 – p. H ↑ – 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) User Interface Simulation model(s) Output Module Database management system Topography Hydrology Water quality Land Use/Land Cover Economic Indicators

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