Ecological studies in Sabine Lake, 1974-1975.

Date

1976

Authors

Espey, Huston, & Associates, Inc.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas Department of Water Resources

Abstract

Refined water resource planning and management require accurate predictive capabilities. Several sophisticated simulation systems have been developed by the Texas Water Development Board to aid resources management. Inherent in any predictive system is a need for a definition of the inter-related mechanisms responsible for observed variation as well as a need for sound field data for any demonstration of accuracy and dependability. A detailed field program was carried out on the Sabine-Neches estuary (Sabine Lake) in order to develop a water resources management program as has been initiated for other Texas estuaries. The results described herein provide a data base for the development of such a program particularly as it related to quality and quantity of freshwater and nutrient inflow requirements. The specific objectives of the study were: (1) A survey of the benthic, planktonic, and nektonic communities and their seasonal fluctuation in the Sabine Lake complex; (2) Determination of the primary productivity of the Sabine Lake estuary over a one year sampling period; and (3) A comparison of the nutrient supply and primary productivity of the system with the freshwater inflows. Concurrent with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) study another field program in the Neches and Sabine Rivers and upper Sabine Lake was performed for Gulf States Utilities (GSU) by Espey, Huston & Associates, Inc. By mutual consent, both parties have agreed to allow free utilization of the other's data for comparative purposes. Thus, references in this report to Wiersema et al. 1976 will refer to the data produced for GSU from concurrently collected data. Figs. 1.1 and 1.2 display the sample station locations for both studies. Table 1.1 lists line-of-site as well as longitude and latitude for each station. Samples of phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthos were collected monthly at Stations 17 through 24 (Fig. 1.1) while nekton was collected monthly at Stations 17 through 25. Nutrient chemistry and primary production samples were collected monthly at stations shown in Fig. 1.3. Data concerning monthly abundance levels, seasonal trends and effects of water quality on the major classes of the Sabine Lake biota are discussed in separate sections (Phytoplankton Sec. 3.0, Zooplankton Sec. 4.0, Benthos Sec. 5.0 and Nekton Sec. 6.). Nutrient water chemistry data, flow information and primary production data are discussed in Section 7.0. All data collected during this study is contained in the Coastal Data System maintained by the Texas Water Development Board.

Description

Approximately 200 pages

Keywords

ecology

Citation