The facility siting team for the LCRA-SAWS Water Project recently completed an analysis of jurisdictional wetlands and submitted a preliminary determination to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps defines such wetlands for the purposes of water project permits that it issues. The Corps is currently verifying the preliminary determination and will make the final decision about what constitutes a wetland on the site.

The preliminary determination indicated that there are not any jurisdictional wetlands on the proposed off-channel storage facility site while some canals that have replaced historic streams on the site may potentially be defined as jurisdictional drainages.

Wetlands help regulate water levels within watersheds, improve water quality, reduce flood and storm damages, and provide fish and wildlife habitat. Water project developers can avoid or substantially reduce wetland impacts by identifying such areas early in the process.

The facility siting study team also examined two potential routes on Pierce Ranch property for a pipeline carrying water from the Colorado River to the off-channel storage facility. The team found no jurisdictional wetlands in the southern route, about 1/8 of an acre of potentially jurisdictional wetlands in the northern route, and a limited amount of potentially jurisdictional drainages.

The report can be viewed online without maps or wetlands evaluations at Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination of the Proposed Off-Channel Storage Facility and Intake

The maps and evaluations are available on CD by calling 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 7208.

The aquatic habitat study team finalized the Instream Flow Guidelines that are designed to support a sound ecological environment for the lower Colorado River.

The guidelines focus on the relationship between flow rates in the river and aquatic habitat. One goal of the guidelines is to protect the diverse species in the river, including such fish as the blue sucker, a state threatened species. The study team recommended long-term monitoring of the river if the guidelines are implemented.

The aquatic habitat study team appreciated the interactions with and feedback from the resource agencies and independent Science Review Panel over the nearly one-year review period. The team believes the final recommendations support a sound ecological environment as recommended by the Texas Instream Flow Program.

See the full study.