Lower Laguna Madre (North & Central) Watershed Characterization
A multi-phased project which will identify existing data and data gaps to characterize the northern and central portions of the Lower Laguna Madre coastal watershed.
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Project Area
River Basin: Bays and Estuaries
Water Body: Raymondville Drain (2491C_01), Hidalgo Main (2491C_03), and North Floodway (2491B)
Location: Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy counties
Background
The Raymondville Drain and the Hidalgo main Floodwater Channel flow into the northern section of Laguna Madre (2491_01). The North Floodway flows into the central section of Laguna Madre (2491_02). Both the northern section of Laguna Madre and the central section of Laguna Madre do not meet state water quality standards for aquatic-life use due to low dissolved oxygen levels and have concerns for excess nutrients. The central section of Laguna Madre also does not meet the standards for primary contact recreation due to high bacteria levels. Although the Raymondville Drain, Hidalgo Floodway, and North Floodway meet water quality standards, their urban flows are main contributors of freshwater, wastewater, and stormwater to the Laguna Madre, a sensitive estuary.
Back to topProject Descriptions
The watershed characterization has involved three project phases:
February 2014 – August 2018
Texas Water Resources Institute identified existing data and data gaps and collected data to fill the gaps. This helped characterize land use, water quality, and hydrologic circumstances in the north and central section of the Lower Laguna Madre watershed and determine a suitable analytical method for estimating pollutant loads. Stakeholder input helped to determine goals, objectives, and indicators for addressing the water quality impairments and concerns. The information and partnerships from this project provided the foundation for future development of a watershed protection plan.
September 2018 – August 2022
The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley initiated a characterization of the north and central portions of the watershed – collecting, analyzing, categorizing, and evaluating the data to assess current conditions. This included identifying water quality issues, potential sources of pollution, and the relative contribution of each source.
The university developed a conceptual model to show the linkage between water quality problems and pollution sources – and to the extent possible – included a spatial and temporal exploration of them.
Gathering and analyzing existing water quality data helped identify data gaps and what data to collect in the future. Both existing and new data will determine which analytical method will be used for estimating the amounts of pollutants entering the water bodies, and the reductions needed to improve water quality. Stakeholders were involved throughout the process to provide local input.
September 2022– August 2025
Research, Applied Technology, Education, Services, Inc. – a non-profit corporation – will continue work on the watershed characterization report and a water quality and flow monitoring program started with the Texas Water Development Board to characterize water quality and flow-dynamics in the northern and central Lower Rio Grande Valley waterways. The monitoring program will collect data from nine sites and write updated watershed characterization reports.
For More Information
See the Rio Grande Valley Stormwater Management Project webpage
To find out more about the NPS Program, call 512-239-6682 or email us at nps@tceq.texas.gov.