City of Wichita Falls Wichita River Biological Monitoring Plan

Blair Maxwell

Introduction

• This study was used to generate data useful to compare general biologic trends on the Wichita River segment 0214.

• The data gathered from this research in conjunction with other biological data will evaluate possible relationships between physical characteristics of the stream and biological trends.

Wichita River Segment 0214

Purpose

Background

• The City of Wichita Falls has, as of February 2009, put into commission the reverse osmosis facility which discharges a brine effluent into the Wichita River segment 0214.

• The reverse osmosis system was built for the City of Wichita Falls as a treatment process to produce municipal potable water for Wichita Falls and surrounding cities.

Lake Levels

Research Methods• Data was collected of general habitat, fish, and

macro-invertebrate community structure on multiple locations of segment 0214 of the Wichita River.

• Each sample of macro-invertebrate and small fish were collected using a D-frame net. The collector used the kick net for 20 minutes, and all sediment and biologic life was placed in a five gallon bucket.

• Then the sample was taken to the lab for identification.

Results• Assessments for fish and macro-invertebrates

give valuable insight into the biological health of streams in the Wichita River.

• Little information exists on the biological communities of this geographical region, which hinders long term comparisons between biological assessments.

• Samples collected after the brine line is in place will allow for comparison in any differences in water quality.

Wichita River 4/19/09 - Collectors: J. Glass, R. Mauk, M. Mullins Method: 20 Minute Kicknet SITE: 1 QA by: Jeff Back, Baylor University

Site Order Family Genus No. common name vial id Group Tolerance I or T

2Odonata Calopterygidae Hetaerina 1 damselfly 2B P 6T

2Odonata Coenagrionidae Argia 1 damselfly 2H P 6T

2Odonata Gomphidae Dromogomphus 1 dragonfly 2C P 4I

2Odonata Gomphidae Erpetogomphus 4 dragonfly 2D P 1I

2Diptera Simuliidae Simulium 38 blackfly 2E F 4I

2Diptera Chironomidae 45 chironomid 2F P-C-F 6T

2Hemiptera Corixidae Tricochorixa 37 water boatmen 2G P-C 5I

2Trichoptera HydropsychidaeCheumatopsyche 1 caddisfly 2I F 6T

2Trichoptera Hydropsychidae Potomyia 8 caddisfly 2L F 4 I

2Trichoptera Leptoceridae Nectopsyche 5 caddisfly 2K S-C-P 3 I

2Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Neochoroterpes 2 mayfly 2J C-S 2 I

2Ephemeroptera Heptageniidae Stenonema 1 mayfly 2M S-C 4I

2Ephemeroptera Tricorythidae Tricorythodes 1 mayfly 2N C 5I

2Ephemeroptera Caenidae Caenis 1 mayfly 2O S-C 7T

2Coleoptera Elmidae Stenelmis 2 riffle beetle 2P S-C 7T

2Collembola Isotonidae 1 springtail 2Q C 10T

2Gastropoda PhysidaePhysa or Physella 3 snails 2R

2Decapoda Palaemonidae Paleomonetes 5 Grass shrimp 2A C 4I

18 1T=7 I=10

TOTAL 159

Results – Site One

Results – Site TwoWichita River 7/21/08 Collctors: J. Glass, M. Howell, M. Mullins Method: 5 Minute Kicknet SITE: 2 QA by:

Order Family Class Genus# of

individualscommon name vial id Group Tolerance

Odonata Anisoptera Gomphidae Progomphus 3 Dragonfly 12D P 5I

Odonata Erpetogomphus 3 Dragonfly 12D POdonata Zygoptera Calopterygidae Hetaerina 1 Damselfly12D P 6T

Odonata Coenagrionidae Argia 1 Damselfly12D P 6TDiptera Chironomidae 9 Midge 12E P-C-F 6T

Hemiptera Corixidae Corixinae Corisella 1Water Boatman 12G P-C-F 9T

Trichoptera Leptoceridae Nectopsyche 13 Caddisfly 12B S-C-P 3 I

Trichoptera Hydropsychidae Hydropsyche 28 Caddisfly 12B F-C 5ITrichoptera Potamyia 27 Caddisfly 12B F 4ITrichoptera Oecetis? 1 Caddisfly 12B2

Ephemeroptera Baetidae Baetis 48 Mayfly 12C S-C-P 4 I

Ephemeroptera Caenidae Caenis 1 Mayfly 12C S-C-P 7T

Ephemeroptera Caenidae Brachycercus 1 Mayfly 12C C 3I

Ephemeroptera Tricorythidae Tricorythodes 30 Mayfly 12C C 5IColeoptera Elmidae Stenelmis 2 Beetle 12F S-C 7TColeoptera Ordobrevia 1 Beetle 12FColeoptera Hydrophilidae Berosinae Berosus 1 Beetle 12F C 9T

Decapoda Palaemonidae Palaemontes Paludosus 2Grass Shrimp 12A C 4I

18 T=7 I=8 3

Wichita River 10/24/08 Collectors: J. Glass, R. Mauk: Method: 5 Minute Kicknet Site: 3 QA by:

Order Family Class Genus No.common name

vial id Group Tolerance

Odonata Anisoptera Gomphidae Octogomphus 1 Dragonfly 22B P

Odonata Ophiogomphus 1 Dragonfly 22B P 6T

Odonata Zygoptera Calopterygidae Hetaerina 4 Damselfly 22B P 6T

Diptera Chironomidae 6 Midge 22G P-C-F 6T

Hemiptera Corixidae Corixini Corisella 2Water Boatman 22F P-C-S 9T

Trichoptera Hydropsychidae Cheumatopsyche 1 Caddisfly 22C F 6T

Trichoptera Potamyia 9 Caddisfly 22C F-C 4I

Trichoptera Leptoceridae Nectopsyche 20 Caddisfly 22C S-C-P 3 I

Ephemeroptera Caenidae Brachycerus 1 Mayfly 22D C 3I

Ephemeroptera Tricorythidae Tricorythodes 27 Mayfly 22D C 5I

Coleoptera Elmidae Dubiraphia 1 Beetle 22E S-C 5I

Coleoptera Elmidae Stenelmis 1 Beetle 22E S-C 7T

Decapoda Palaemonidae Palaemontes Paludosus 22Grass Shrimp 22A C 4I

13 T=6 I=6 1

TOTAL 79

Results – Site Three

Conclusion

• Once more data is collected after the brine discharge has been in place for a few months, any changes in biological environments will show up in future collections.

• As far as the data that was collected no statistical relevant changes were noted. Also, no morphological changes were seen within the samples collected at all three sites.