Flow processes in Flow processes in Spring EcosystemsSpring Ecosystems

Glenn Longley, Ph.D.Glenn Longley, Ph.D.Texas State UniversityTexas State University

Flows for the Future Flows for the Future ConferenceConferenceOctober 31, 2005October 31, 2005

SpringsSprings

Are important ecological systemsAre important ecological systems They serve as the interface They serve as the interface

between groundwater and surface between groundwater and surface waterwater

They often are refuges for species They often are refuges for species that have been isolated for long that have been isolated for long periods of timeperiods of time

As a result they often contain rare As a result they often contain rare or endangered speciesor endangered species

SpringsSprings

Best documented in Texas by Gunnar Best documented in Texas by Gunnar Brune, 1981, “Springs of Texas”Brune, 1981, “Springs of Texas”

Also Major & Historical Springs of Also Major & Historical Springs of Texas, 1975, TWDB Rpt. 189.Texas, 1975, TWDB Rpt. 189.

Comanche Springs in Fort Stockton Comanche Springs in Fort Stockton have been used by native people, have been used by native people, DeVaca in 1535DeVaca in 1535

By 1962 they were dry most of the By 1962 they were dry most of the time due to over pumping of the time due to over pumping of the aquifer feeding them.aquifer feeding them.

Threats to SpringsThreats to Springs

West Texas – Consideration by West Texas – Consideration by Texas Land Commissioner to Texas Land Commissioner to lease State lands for Water lease State lands for Water harvestingharvesting

Arid region with minimal recharge Arid region with minimal recharge and more localized aquifersand more localized aquifers

Potential to dry many of the Potential to dry many of the smaller springs in the regionsmaller springs in the region

Threats to SpringsThreats to Springs

Central Texas Springs are threatenedCentral Texas Springs are threatened In the SA Portion of the Aquifer all In the SA Portion of the Aquifer all

springs are threatened by inadequate springs are threatened by inadequate trigger levels in Drought Contingency trigger levels in Drought Contingency Plans to assure continued Spring FlowPlans to assure continued Spring Flow

Inadequate alternative supplies are Inadequate alternative supplies are being considered by major water usersbeing considered by major water users

Agricultural users have been allocated Agricultural users have been allocated too large amounts of water.too large amounts of water.

Threats to SpringsThreats to Springs

Barton Springs – High population Barton Springs – High population growth and inadequate alternative growth and inadequate alternative suppliessupplies

Jacob’s Well – Large scale Jacob’s Well – Large scale development that utilizes a limited development that utilizes a limited aquifer that also feeds the wellaquifer that also feeds the well

Historic uses of springs is Historic uses of springs is documented in Brune’s Springs of documented in Brune’s Springs of Texas Texas

Drought recurring but Drought recurring but inadequately planned inadequately planned forfor The drought used for planning The drought used for planning

purposes is the drought of the 50’s. purposes is the drought of the 50’s. but drought has been shown to be a but drought has been shown to be a recurring phenomenon in this recurring phenomenon in this region by the use of tree ring region by the use of tree ring studies.studies.

There have been droughts of longer There have been droughts of longer duration and greater intensity.duration and greater intensity.

Sampled Spring Sites

1. Santa Rosa 15. Caroline

2. Diamond-Y 16. Bone

3. East Sandia 17. Guadalupe

4. San Salomon 18. Upper Pine

5. El Ojo 19. Frijole

6. La Morita 20. Manzanita

7. Las Cuevas 21. Smith

8. Lava Escondido 22. Choza

9. Post 23. McKittrick

10. Glenn 24. Limpia

11. McKinney 25. Bridge

12. Burro 26. Tobe

13. Oak27. Headquarters

14. Hot Spring #4 28. Head

MethodsMethods

Field MeasurementsField Measurements Each Spring:Each Spring:

– Latitude/LongitudeLatitude/Longitude– Water TemperatureWater Temperature– ConductivityConductivity– pHpH– Dissolved OxygenDissolved Oxygen– FlowFlow

MethodsMethods

Collecting Water Collecting Water SamplesSamples– All water samples All water samples

collected utilizing EPA collected utilizing EPA and TCEQ guidelines for and TCEQ guidelines for sampling and holding sampling and holding times.times.

– Each site:Each site: NutrientsNutrients Metals; Se, Hg, As, Ag, Metals; Se, Hg, As, Ag,

Mn, Cr, Fe, Ca, Na, Mg, Mn, Cr, Fe, Ca, Na, Mg, K, Si, P, B, Al, Sr & Ti K, Si, P, B, Al, Sr & Ti

Fluoride

0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

4.50

Sample Sites

Flou

ride

(ppm

)

Fluoride (ppm)

Piper Tri-linear Piper Tri-linear DiagramsDiagrams Major cation and Major cation and

anion anion percentages are percentages are plotted on the left plotted on the left and right ternary and right ternary diagrams, diagrams, respectivelyrespectively

Position of each is Position of each is projected up into projected up into interior diamond-interior diamond-shaped fieldshaped field

Ca Mg HCO3

1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 (meq/l) 5

Na Cl

Ca HCO3

Mg SO4

Choza

1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 (meq/l) 5

Na Cl

Ca HCO3

Mg SO4

Frijole

1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 (meq/l) 5

Na Cl

Ca HCO3

Mg SO4

Guadalupe

1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 (meq/l) 5

Na Cl

Ca HCO3

Mg SO4

Manzanita

Stiff Diagrams

Trans-Pecos Stiff Trans-Pecos Stiff DiagramsDiagrams

Ca or Na - HCO3 or SO

4

Ca HCO3

Ca Mg HCO3

The Next StepThe Next Step

Resample springs and locate new Resample springs and locate new springs to sample.springs to sample.

Gather historic data on groundwater Gather historic data on groundwater resources in the Trans-Pecos area and resources in the Trans-Pecos area and compare with data collected from this compare with data collected from this project.project.

Look at watershed, geologic and Look at watershed, geologic and precipitation influences on springs, to precipitation influences on springs, to better understand the groundwater better understand the groundwater sources of each spring. sources of each spring.

Biological AssessmentBiological Assessment

An evaluation of water-body An evaluation of water-body conditions using samples of conditions using samples of the biota in surface waters.the biota in surface waters.

History of Rapid History of Rapid Bioassessment Protocols Bioassessment Protocols (RBPs)(RBPs)

RBPs were developed in response to EPA RBPs were developed in response to EPA efforts to find cost-effective approaches for efforts to find cost-effective approaches for assessing water quality and to develop assessing water quality and to develop standard biological monitoring techniques. standard biological monitoring techniques.

The first RBPs were released in 1989 as a The first RBPs were released in 1989 as a compilation of various state agencies’ compilation of various state agencies’ procedures and are continuously updated.procedures and are continuously updated.

They were designed as a template for state They were designed as a template for state agencies, which could make appropriate agencies, which could make appropriate modifications for their area.modifications for their area.

Qualitative Sampling Qualitative Sampling MethodsMethods

A D-frame kicknet is used for a 5-minute A D-frame kicknet is used for a 5-minute sample to collect 100+ organismssample to collect 100+ organisms

The process is repeated one more time The process is repeated one more time if it is not possible to obtain 100 if it is not possible to obtain 100 organismsorganisms

If it is not practical to use kicknet then If it is not practical to use kicknet then 100+ organisms are hand picked from 100+ organisms are hand picked from stable substrate stable substrate

TCEQ Quantitative MetricsTCEQ Quantitative Metrics

Taxa RichnessTaxa Richness Dipteran TaxaDipteran Taxa EphemeropteraEphemeroptera

n Taxan Taxa Intolerant TaxaIntolerant Taxa % EPT Taxa% EPT Taxa % %

ChironomidaeChironomidae

% Tolerant % Tolerant TaxaTaxa

% Grazers% Grazers % Gatherers% Gatherers % Filterers% Filterers % Dominance% Dominance

Metrics and Scoring Criteria Metrics and Scoring Criteria (Qualitative)(Qualitative)

MetricMetric ValueValue ScoreScore

Taxa RichnessTaxa Richness 1717 33

EPT Taxa AbundanceEPT Taxa Abundance 11 11

Biotic Index (HBI)Biotic Index (HBI) 8.318.31 11

% Chironomidae% Chironomidae 30.6830.68 11

% Dominant Taxon% Dominant Taxon 30.6830.68 33

% Dominant FFG% Dominant FFG 21.5921.59 44

% Predators% Predators 55.6855.68 11

Ratio ofRatio ofIntolerant:Tolerant Intolerant:Tolerant

TaxaTaxa 0.120.12 11

% of total % of total Trichoptera Trichoptera

as Hydropsychidaeas Hydropsychidae 00 11

# of non-insect taxa# of non-insect taxa 33 22

% Collector-gathers% Collector-gathers 19.3219.32 33

% of total number as % of total number as ElmidaeElmidae 00 11Total Score: 22

Aquatic Life Use Scores

Exceptional: >36High: 29-36Intermediate: 22-28Limited: < 22

Post Spring

Aquatic Life Use Score: Intermediate

Central Texas SpringsCentral Texas Springs

San Marcos & ComalSan Marcos & Comal Home to several Endangered SpeciesHome to several Endangered Species

– Fountain DarterFountain Darter– San Marcos SalamanderSan Marcos Salamander– Texas Wild RiceTexas Wild Rice– San Marcos GambusiaSan Marcos Gambusia

Smaller springs along the Balcones Smaller springs along the Balcones Escarpment – home to Plethodontid Escarpment – home to Plethodontid salamanderssalamanders

Thank you! I will be glad to Thank you! I will be glad to take questions.take questions.

I can be reached at the following:I can be reached at the following: email: email: GL01@txstate.eduGL01@txstate.edu EARDC homepage: EARDC homepage:

http://www.eardc.txstate.eduhttp://www.eardc.txstate.edu Phone: 512-245-3581Phone: 512-245-3581 Fax: 512-245-2669Fax: 512-245-2669 Feel free to contact me with questions.Feel free to contact me with questions.