Intensive survey of the Houston Ship Channel system: segment 1001-San Jacinto River tidal, segment 1005-Houston Ship Channel/San Jacinto River, segment 1006-Houston Ship Channel, segment 1007-Houston Ship Channel/Buffalo Bayou, segment 1013-Buffalo Bayou tidal, segment 1014-Buffalo Bayou above tidal, segment 2421-Upper Galveston Bay, segment 2426-Tabbs Bay, segment 2427-San Jacinto Bay, segment 2428-Black Duck Bay, segment 2429-Scott Bay, segment 2430-Burnett Bay, segment 2436-Barbours Cut, February 26-28, 1985: hydrology, field measurements, water chemistry, sediment chemistry

Date

1987

Authors

Kirkpatrick, J.S.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas Water Commission

Abstract

An intensive survey of the Houston Ship Channel (HSC) system, consisting of the San Jacinto River tidal (Segment 1001), the lower Buffalo Bayou tidal/upper HSC (Segment 1007), upper Buffalo Bayou tidal (Segment 1013), Buffalo Bayou above tidal (Segment 1014), upper Galveston Bay (Segment 2421), Tabbs Bay (Segment 1007), upper Buffalo Bayou tidal (Segment 1013), Buffalo Bayou above tidal (Segment 1014), upper Galveston Bay (Segment 2421), Tabbs Bay (Segment 2426), San Jacinto Bay (Segment 2427), Black Duck Bay (Segment 2428), Scott Bay (Segment 2429), Burnett Bay (Segment 2430) and Barbours Cut (Segment 2436), was conducted February 26-28, 1985, by the Texas Department of Water Resources (predecessor agency of the Texas Water Commission). Twenty mainstream stations on the HSC from the Turning Basin to Morgan's Point, five stations on Buffalo Bayou, seven stations on the San Jacinto River, 17 tributary stations, six side bay stations, five station in upper Galveston Bay and 56 wastewater discharges were sampled over a 24-hour period from February 26-27. Sediment samples were collected from 18 sites on Buffalo Bayou, Sims Bayou, HSC, San Jacinto River, and Galveston Bay. Field data were collected at all stream stations tributaries and wastewater discharges sampled, and tide stage recordings were made at one location in the estuary. These data were collected to assess water quality conditions of the HSC system during moderately high flow conditions and wintertime temperatures. Dissolved oxygen and temperature measurements at all stations, and pH at most stations were compliant with the various criteria during this survey. Poorest water quality of the mainstream stations, as indicated by lower dissolved oxygen and higher organic constituents and nutrients, was observed in the Houston Ship Channel from the Turning Basin to the Greens Bayou confluence. The data will be used for future modeling and engineering evaluations of the HSC system, for determining water quality trends and to assess the effectiveness of elaborate control programs initiated over the last several years.

Description

89 pgs.

Keywords

hydrology; field measurements; water chemistry; sediment chemistry

Citation