TPWD 1968 F-3-R-15 #1205: Paper Mill Effluent Study in Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Segment Completion Report, Job No. 12, Project F-3-R-15

SEGMENT COMPLETION REPORT 1'" ,_ (J K/ As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORACTION ACT . ' TEXAS 2:" Federal Aid Project No. F-3wR—15 Job Noe-12 Paper Mill Effluent Study in Sam Rayburn Reservoir Project Leader: Joe E; Toole ,. “LL“ é: . ‘205 E. MARI} ”Volt: . ‘ND I MARSHALL TE AI DRWE ’ XAS 75970 J. R* Singleton Executive Directox ' Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Marion Toole :Ji Eugene A. Walker D—J Coordinator Director, Wildlife Services May 14, 1968 . // I 5” MW [will] 2 4745'” "‘ in ABSTRACT To determine the effects of paper mill effluent in upper Sam Rayburn Reservoir, varied collections of population data and water quality data have been made. Eight sampling sites were selected to represent several ecological habitats. From these unit data, comparisons of water quality and fish abundance were made. Pollutu ing effects of paper mill wastes became more detrimental as drought conditions prevailed during the summer and fall months of 1967. Turbidity readings and sedimentation counts can generally be correlated with fish abundance. Excessive growth of maiden cane (Panicum hemitomon) in the Angelina River channel _W t W. .run-t v”. mun—- .-.-......._.' .. vn..-‘ “that“... is attributed to high phosphates during minimal flow conditions. It is recommended that this study he continued to determine more accurately the effects and extent of paper mill effluent dispersion in upper Sam Rayburn Reservoir. SEGMENT COMPLEllON REPORT State of Texas _w' Project No. F—3—Rr15 Name: R;glopgghfimgasher1es Studies Job No. 12 J_m Title: Paper Mill Efflngng Study in Sam_Ra*burn Reservoir :me_ Period Covered: February 1, I967 — January 31, 1968 cum-Ir— PPS OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of paper mill effluent on vegetation, vertem brates and invertebrates in Sam Rayburn Reservoir» SEGMENT OBJECTIVE: To collect data concerning certain aquatic vertebrates, inverte— brates and vegetation in those areas of Sam Rayburn Reservoir which may be effected by the effluent discharged by a paper millo PROCEDURES: 1. Eight permanent sampling stations have been established in Sam Rayburn Reservoir to provide population criteria for aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates in relation to existing environmental conditions. (a) Experimental gill nets were set at each station at monthly intervals to deter— mine fish population level .8 and species availability (b) Chemical water analyses were conducted in conjunction with netting activities at each station to provide water quality datao These tests include.d dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, pH, total alkalinity, chlorides, sulfates, orthOthosphates, tur- bidity, hydrogen sulfide and temperature. (c) Volumetric plankton samples were also made at each station; Identification and relative abundance of phytoplankton and zooplankton forms were determined in the labor— story (d) Bottom samples were collected from each station and iauna type and abundance were recorded. Je)0 Mion s were made of aquatic vegetation in collection areas to determine ?oile sf? of paper mill effluent: W: U) T} O 2. Comparisons of unit population and water quality data have been made” DESCRIPT ION: With the impoundment of Sam Rayburn Reservoir, a ll_i ,000 sumia e aria U S, Corps of Engineers Project, increased concern over Dollutlv -ca.t as by a pape.r mill effluent in the Angelina R iver is warrant.ed Sam Rayburn is the largest impotlndment entirel1 within the State and with its excellent recreational facilities the reservoir is destined to become a sportsman's paradise. Black water effluent emanating from a paper mill at Herty, Texas, enters the angelina River through Paper Mill Creek, a tributary of Willis Creek. 1.9.... {a At power pool elevation of 164.0 feet shove MSL the. reservoir will inundate the Angelina River banks to a point near the mouth of caper Mi.3l (itcek. During 1967. pool elevations ranged from approximately 151 to lSS. at these elevations the river TPUdl ‘.s within its banks for a distance of approximately eight lilo. helow the :Lnr flux of paper mill effluent. STATION DESCRIPTION: Eight sampling station sites were selected to provide population and water quality criteria from varied environments. It was originally planned to establish sampling stations at one-half mile interval_s, beginning upstream at the influx of pollutant at the mouth of Paper Mill Creek. After a preliminary investigation of the area by boat however, the stations were selected approximate one mile intervals, beginning upstream at lia.rion Ferry, some seven miles he].ow th.e influx of e: Wluent in the river. It was felt that this collection area would provide1 maximum ecological variation.s for data comparisons. The following are brief descriptions of physical characteristics at each collection station: Slflllfifiul: Station 1 is located onenhalf mile upstream from Marion Ferry Park in the Angelina River Channel. The station is in a sharp bend of the river at the upstream margin of a large cleared area of the basin. Channel depth is 18 feet at elevation 152. Bottom soil is primarily clay with marginal sand deposits. A layer of black sediment covers the channel bottom. ration 2. Station 2, located onewhalf mile below nation Ferry, is similar in physical characteristics to Station 1. SEEEEEEWS' Station 3 is also similar to stations 1 and 2, located in the river channel one mile upstream from Highway 103 bridge. Station 3' Station 4 is located immediately upstream from Uiroway ltl3 ufrflge in she Miler water adjacent to the river channel. The resezvoia bot.tom is composedc of clay loam which is covered with vegetative deb1i.s from cleaIIng ope atjoxs. Static 5. Station 5 is in the river channel one mi_le below Highway lO3 bridge. Due to excessive felled timber immediately iCjQCPfiI .o the river channel in this area, gill nets were set in a clear area approximately 50 yards from the channel. Station 6. Station 6, located in 20 feet of water at elevation 152 is also in an crta where timne r has been cloar(d on; the river banks. Heavier deposits of black sediment cover tne lake hottom in this area Station 7. Station 7, is located in the river channel.. Heavy timber lines both sides of n—rm-WW—u-g—a—n O the channel in this area. Channel depth is 24 feet at elevation 132. Botf.“ soil is coarse sand overlaid with black sediment. Station 8. Station 8, is similar to Station 7, located in the river channel and surrounded by dense timber. Depth of the chaiiel is 25 feet and marginal areas lZmlS feet. “m nun-am: n1: «nun-m Figure l is a map of uppe.r Sam Rayburn Reserv01r showing sta.tion Sites. ZOFOZ—FZDI .OI'UIIIOI .. . ICIIICIOI .IIIICCOOO. ...-.... . .- . I . . I . . . . fl . . . O C I D O I I _l U I . I I B I I I ' t 9 I .....I..' f .....I... .o 1....a19Ia-I .... local... ..E. III... ....L I titlll I >me1w. ......‘l IIOIUI... mMIZE Z. MJ<Um .. Izvlwull Illl1tlllll iIII Ill..l'.ll.ll1.'l|| ..‘. I... _.'.l. 'I..: :“‘ ii ......- i...‘ I‘ I I I. ‘. flotmmmmégfimm Emm .393 A 35.3 FINDINGU: As anticipated, the gathering of field data for this study proved to be extensive. Laboratory analyses of bottom, plankton and sedimentation samples required numerous man“ days. These data will be discussed collectively and individually where significant varia— tions in ecological conditions occur. As previously outlined, vertebrate and invertebrate populations were sampled for comparison to water quality data recorded from their immediate habitat. By these compar~ isons an evaluation of paper mill effluent effects on fish and other aquatic life in the reservoir can be made. Considerable research concerning the effects of paper mill wastes on fish and fish eggs has been conducted. Numerous research programs of the Department of Entomology, Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Minnesota, indicate that ”while suspended wood pulp and wood fiber mats may not be directly toxic to most adult fish species, they are detri— mental to fish eggs and fry. Through oxygen depletion and other chemical reactions, paper fibers and accompanying chemicals can deplete fisheries from large areas of good potential. When eggs, fry or juvenile fish are effected it is reasonable to assume that the harvest— able fish crop will be reduced or eliminated” (Smith, 1965). WATER ANALYSES: All field analyses were run with a Each DE EL chemistry kit. This unit utilizes individually sealed reagents for colorimetric tests. Table 1 contains water quality data for each station. One liter capacity lmhoff sedimentation cones were used to measure suspended solids in milliliters per liter of water at each station. Table 2 contains sedimentation read“ ings for all stations. A correlation exists hetween sedimentation readings and colorimetw ric turbidity readings with the exception of a few areas where black dye from sgdium lignite in the effluent waters increased turbidity greatly. Physical effects were more apparent during drought conditions as indicated by water quality data recorded in August, October and November, 1967. Sharp increases in tur~ hidity, chlorides, total alkalinity, sulfates and orthOthosphates were noted. Black water at the upstream stations in the river channel foamed when agitated. Increased turbidity during these months made colorimetric methods difficult, par— ticularly sulfate, phosphate and dissolved oxygen tests. All cheiical analyses were performed in the field at each station site. During the coming segment highly turbid samples will be tested both in the field and again in the laboratory after being filw tered. Comparisons of the filtered sample results will be made to the field tests to determine turbidity influence. With the exception of a few additional hydrogen sulfide tests, only surface and bottom water samples were analyzed at each station. edditional hydrogen sulfide, dissol~ ved oxygen, carbon dioxide, turbidity and temperature checks will be made at intermediate depths (six foot intervals) at the lower stations during the coming segment. 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