Water Planning Data for Region M (Rio Grande)

Arroyo Colorado - This tidal segment of the Arroyo Colorado (TNRCC classified segment 2201) runs just upstream of Port of Harlingen to its confluence with Laguna Madre in Willacy/Cameron Counties.

Biological function - priority riparian and extensive freshwater wetland habitats displays significant overall habitat value

Riparian conservation area - Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge; Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area.

Las Moras Creek - From the confluence with the Rio Grande in Maverick County upstream to the Maverick/Kinney County line. High water quality/exceptional aquatic life/high aesthetic value - ecoregion stream; high water quality, diverse benthic macroinvertebrate community (Bayer et al., 1992)

Threatened or endangered species/unique communities - proserpine shiner (SOC/St.T) (Hubbs et al., 1991)

Rio Grande - From the confluence with the Gulf of Mexico in Cameron County upstream to Falcon Dam in Starr County (TNRCC classified stream segments 2301 and 2302). Biological Function: Priority bottomland habitat; Extensive freshwater and estuarine wetland habitats (Bauer et al. 1991)

Riparian conservation area - Lower Rio Grande Valley National WildlifeRefuge; Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

High water quality/exceptional aquatic life/high aesthetic value - high water quality and exceptional aquatic life use (TNRCC, 1996); diverse benthic macroinvertebrate community (J. Davis, 1998, pers. comm.)

Threatened or endangered species/unique communities - blackfin goby (SOC/St.T) (Hubbs et al., 1991); unique Black Mangrove Series community; unique Texas Palmetto Series habitat (Texas Organization for Endangered Species. 1992)

References

Bauer, J., R. Frye, B. Spain. 1991. A natural resource survey for proposed reservoir sites and selected stream segments in Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Austin, Texas.

Bayer, C.W., J.R. Davis, S.R. Twidwell, R. Kleinsasser, G. Linam, K. Mayes, and E. Hornig. 1992. Texas aquatic ecoregion project: an assessment of least disturbed streams (draft). Texas Water Commission, Austin, Texas.

Davis, J.R. 1998. Personal communication. Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Austin, Texas.

Hubbs, C., R.J. Edwards, and G.P. Garrett. 1991. An annotated checklist of the freshwater fishes of Texas, with keys to identification of species. Texas Journal of Science 43: 1-56.

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC). 1996. Texas surface water quality standards. Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Austin, Texas.

Texas Organization for Endangered Species. 1992. Endangered, threatened, and watch list of natural communities of Texas. Texas Organization for Endangered Species, Austin, Texas.