Hydrologic data for the Salt Bayou estuary near Sabine Pass, Texas, October 1984 to March 1986.

Date

1988

Authors

Fisher, J.C.

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Abstract

The Salt Bayou estuary, located in extreme Southeast Texas near Sabine Pass, Texas has been altered by construction of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The waterway has interrupted the historical saltwater-freshwater exchange of this important estuary. There have been proposals to develop water control structures in the major channels that would enable some regulation of the saltwater in the estuary. A cooperative effort was initiated by Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Geological Survey to identify the fish species and their transport mechanisms. The U.S. Geological Survey's part of the study was to describe the hydrology of Salt Bayou. The initial collection network consisted of stage gages ar Keith Lake Pass, the mouth of Salt Bayou, Tenmile Cut, the Intracoastal Waterway, and Star Lake. After six months of data were collected the Tenmile Cut gage was moved to Wildcow Bayou. The gages at Keith Lake Pass, the mouth of Salt Bayou, Tenmile Cut, and Wildcow bayou also were equipped with water velocity recording equipment. The Keith Lake Pass gage also had temperature and specific conductance recording equipment. Six 24-hour flow investigations were performed to calibrate the velocity recording equipment and to determine the flow at ungaged sites. Specific conductance and temperature were measured at 43 sites within the estuary. Precipitation data were obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stations at Port Arthur, Anahuac, and Sea Rim State Park and were used to estimate the contribution of freshwater from rainfall. Evaporation data were obtained from the Beaumont Research Station and used to make estimates obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather station at Sea Rim State Park.

Description

119 p.

Keywords

estuaries, hydrology, rainfall, water exchange, channels, inflow, research programs, fresh water

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