APPENDIX G

 

BIG MINERAL CREEK

RED RIVER BASIN

SHERMAN (GRAYSON COUNTY), TEXAS

 

BASIN SUMMARY REPORT

FOR THE

RED RIVER BASIN

September 1999

 

 

 

            1.         Introduction

 

To determine the environmental impact that the City of Whitesboro's Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) effluent has on the receiving waters of Big Mineral Creek, a Receiving Water Assessment (RWA) was conducted on August 1, 1997 in Grayson County near Sherman, Texas.

 

Historically Big Mineral Creek is a small, intermittent (0.29 cfs), fairly clear stream with perennial pools.  The site on the creek is described as a natural area with native trees and grasses, and has been used to water livestock.

 

            2.         Basis for the Assessment

 

The outfall from the Whitesboro WWTP flows into an unnamed tributary that is usually dry. The effluent enters the unnamed tributary and flows into an upper branch of Big Mineral Creek, which is intermittent with perennial pools upstream of the confluence with the unnamed creek.  Therefore, the RWA was performed on Big Mineral Creek upstream of the confluence with the unnamed creek.

 

            3.         Description of Receiving Waters

 

The outfall number for the City of Whiteboro's point of discharge on the unnamed tributary is WQ0010464-001.

 

            4.         Significant Observations:

 

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

 

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

 

4.3The creek is intermittent, normally flowing most of the year, with periods when it dries out, leaving perennial pools.

 

4.4The receiving water characteristics change within three miles of the discharge.

 

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

 

4.6The creek is naturally brownish and clarity is poor.

 

4.7The area surrounding the waterbody is generally wooded or pastureland.

 

4.8The receiving water is influenced by agricultural runoff, urban runoff, as well as runoff from the City of Whitesboro'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 an unnamed creek is the actual point that the City of Whitesboro's WWTP discharges into, it is important to note that the stream is often dry upstream of the effluent discharge.  Therefore, the closest perennial stream was Big Mineral Creek, and was sampled upstream of the confluence with the unnamed creek.

 

The Big Mineral Creek RWA site is located at Highway 377.  The creek is intermittent with moderate bends and few fluctuations in flow.  The vegetation of the area consists mainly of trees, grasses and fields, and has steep grassy covered banks with clay and small rocks making up the creek bottom.  Big Mineral Creek has abundant habitat for aquatic life in the perennial pools and the generally stable nature of the creek could support both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife when water levels are adequate.  The creek has been used for livestock watering and occasional fishing.

 

            6.         Summary of Collection Efforts

 

The three different methods used to collect samples 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 (seining) used to collect the free swimming organisms; and electro-fishing to collect the faster moving fish, even though electro-fishing is not feasible in waters with high conductivity.

 

Using a kicknet for five minute over various habitat areas yielded 25 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 two species of minnows.

                7.         Summation

 

The effluent from the Whitesboro WWTP has little or no overall impact on Big Mineral Creek.  Under normal weather conditions when a significant portion of effluent could reach Big Mineral Creek, the effluent should have no detrimental impact on the environment.