APPENDIX G

 

BOIS D'ARC CREEK

RED RIVER BASIN

BONHAM (FANNIN COUNTY), TEXAS

 

BASIN SUMMARY REPORT

FOR THE

RED RIVER BASIN

September 1999

 

 

            1.         Introduction

 

To determine the environmental impact that the City of Bonham's Wastewater Treatment Plant's effluent has on the receiving waters of Bois d'Arc Creek, a Receiving Water Assessment (RWA) was conducted on July 31, 1997 in Fannin County near Bonham, Texas.

 

Historically, Bois d'Arc Creek, a perennial stream, is small, flowing (3.1 cfs), turbid, and mildly colored.  Best described as a natural area with native trees and grasses, the land surrounding the creek is being developed for farming and urbanization.  Bois d'Arc Creek is used to water livestock and is fished occasionally.

 

            2.         Basis for the Assessment

 

The outfall from the Bonham WWTP flows into Pig Branch Creek, which is intermittent upstream with perennial intermittent pools downstream of the outfall.  Since Pig Branch Creek flows into Bois d'Arc Creek, a perennial stream, the RWA was performed on Bois d'Arc Creek upstream of its confluence with Pig Branch Creek.

 

            3.         Description of Receiving Waters

 

Pig Branch Creek, which flows into Bois d'Arc Creek, is the receiving waters for the City of Bonham's WWTP described as outfall number WQ0010070-001.

 

            4.         Significant Observations:

 

4.1There are no domestic drinking water intake points within five miles of the point of discharge.

 

4.2The point of discharge is not within 300 feet of a classified stream segment.

 

4.3The creek is perennial, normal flowing throughout the year.

 

4.4The receiving water characteristics do not change within three miles of the discharge.

 

4.5The flow assessment is based on observations by personnel from Red River Authority of Texas.

  4.6 The creek is turbid and the water is mildly colored.

 

4.7The area surrounding the waterbody is generally wooded.

 

4.8The receiving water is influenced by agricultural runoff, urban runoff, and runoff from the City of Bonham's WWTP.

 

4.9The area is a relatively natural area with some development.

 

4.10    The nearest classified stream segment is 0202.

 

            5.         Summary of Physical Characteristics

 

Although Pig Branch Creek is the actual creek that the City of Bonham's WWTP discharges into, it is important to note that upstream of the effluent discharge the creek is often dry.  Therefore, Bois d'Arc Creek was the closest perennial stream.  It was sampled upstream of the confluence with Pig Branch Creek.

 

The Bois d'Arc Creek RWA site is approximately one half mile downstream of U.S. Highway 82.  The creek, used for livestock watering and occasional fishing, is perennial with moderate bends and few fluctuations in flow.  The vegetation of the area consists mainly of hardwood trees and grasses.  The creek has steep grassy covered banks and the creek bottom is made of clay and small rocks.  The generally stable nature of Bois d'Arc Creek has abundant habitat for aquatic life and supports both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife.

 

            6.         Summary of Collection Efforts

 

Three different methods were used to collect samples from Bois d'Arc Creek.  These methods are designed so that representative species could be collected throughout the entire water column, including the benthic layer.

 

The kicknet method was used to collect benthic organisms; the nekton (seine) used to collect free swimming organisms; and electro-fishing to collect the faster moving fish, although, electro-fishing is not feasible in waters with high conductivity.

 

Using a kicknet for five minutes over various habitat yielded 18 families of invertebrates. The nekton (seining) method utilizing seven hauls with a combined length of 41 feet of seine hauls yielded three species of fish.  The backpack electro-fishing method utilized for a total of 15 minutes yielded seven species of fish and minnows.

                7.         Summation

 

The effluent from the Bonham WWTP has a positive effect on Bois d'Arc Creek.  Continued discharge of high quality effluent will benefit this creek and the surrounding areas.  Positive effects of this continual source of water should maintain a diversified aquatic ecosystem throughout the entire food chain.  Negative effects of a continual water source could cause some aspects of aquatic, benthic and riparian life to not achieve abundance through a natural life cycle.  However, since this creek does not contain such identified unique individuals, and because there are similar creeks in the area that could support this type of life cycle, it is believed that the effluent from this Bonham WWTP is beneficial at this time.