Ecological Evaluation of Some Tributaries of the Aransas Bay Area

Environmental conditions were surveyed in the Copano and St. Charles Bay tributary areas in 1969 and 1970. ; The white shrimp (Penaeus setiferus) and blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) habitat in the vicinity of Chiltipin Creek and Mission River was found to be adversely affected by oilfield brine. Production of commercial Crustacea in the Aransas River was found to be severely retarded by abnormal salinity and water quality conditions attributed to oilfield brine from Chiltipin Creek. Tributaries of St. Charles Bay had water of very high quality and were normally very productive. The entire St. Charles Bay system appeared to be prime habitat for adult and juvenile food and game species. Heavy rainfall alleviated poor conditions in Chiltipin Creek, the Aransas River and the Mission River, but this relief was short-lived.