LCRA - Energy • Water • Community Services
 
Monthly Water Quality Report
Current Water Quality Conditions
January 2012

January’s water quality netted the Lower Colorado River Basin excellent ratings at ten monitoring locations: The San Saba, Llano and Pedernales rivers; the Highland Lakes, and the Colorado River at Austin and Bay City. Three monitoring stations: the Colorado River at Bastrop, La Grange and Columbus scored fair ratings because of elevated nutrients. The two remaining sites received good scores: the Colorado River at Smithville and at Wharton, with normal water quality conditions for this time of year. Bacteria levels were low throughout the basin and clarity was excellent. Monitoring was conducted prior to the large rain event of January 24 and 25.

All Highland Lakes sites and the San Saba, Llano and Pedernales rivers earned excellent water quality ratings this month. Water quality measurements were ample for healthy aquatic life and contact recreation with high dissolved oxygen values and low bacteria and nutrients. Clarity at Lake Buchanan was one foot. Lake LBJ, Inks Lake, Lake Marble Falls and Travis reported three to five feet of visibility. River clarity on the Llano River was greater than the sampling depth at over three feet. The San Saba River reported one half foot of clarity and the Pedernales greater than the total depth of one half foot. Water temperatures ranged from lows of 50° to 53° in the upstream rivers and Inks Lake to a high of 61° on Lake Buchanan with upper 50’s elsewhere.

January monitoring revealed healthy dissolved oxygen measurements and low bacteria levels at all downstream locations. The Colorado River at Austin earned an excellent rating, as did Bay City. The Colorado River at Smithville and Wharton earned good scores, while Bastrop, La Grange and Columbus were rated fair due to elevated nutrients. Though typical for this time of year when flow is wastewater dominant, high nitrate levels on these stretches of the river were still exacerbated by drought-induced low flows. The Colorado River at Austin and Wharton reported river transparency of three and a half feet, with Smithville, La Grange, Columbus and Bay City submitting values of two to three feet. Bastrop was clear to the bottom, though the monitoring station was only half a foot. Water temperatures ranged from a low of 46° at Austin to a high of 68° in Bay City. Elsewhere water temperatures were in the 50’s. Heavy rains and associated runoff on January 24 and 25 triggered additional sampling in the Bastrop area to monitor the effects of the Bastrop County Fires. Water quality results were not available at the time of publication and will be discussed in next month’s water quality report.

For information on a specific lake or river, see a link below:

Austin

Bastrop

Bay City

Columbus

Inks Lake

La Grange

Lake Buchanan

Lake LBJ

Lake Marble Falls

Lake Travis

Llano River

Pedernales River

San Saba

Smithville

Wharton

 
 
Austin Water Quality Rating
 
  Colorado River at Montopolis Bridge in Austin 

The Colorado River at Austin received an excellent score in January with water quality measurements at ideal levels. Dissolved oxygen was high enough to maintain a viable fish population. Bacteria levels were low as were nutrient levels.  The water temperature was 54„aF. River transparency was a clear three and a half feet. 
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Bastrop Water Quality Rating
 
  Colorado River at Bastrop's Lost Pines 

The Colorado River at Bastrop was rated fair in January. Dissolved oxygen was high enough to support a healthy fishery and bacteria levels were low, but nutrients were elevated due to low flow conditions and wastewater effluent dominance. The water temperature was 46„aF and transparency was greater than the total depth at one half foot. Heavy rains and associated runoff on January 24 and 25 triggered additional sampling to monitor the effects of the Bastrop County Fires. Results were not available at the time of publication and will be discussed in next month’s report.
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Bay City Water Quality Rating
 
  Colorado River at Bay City's Matagorda Birding & Nature Center

The Colorado River at Bay City was rated excellent in January. All water quality tests revealed ideal results. Dissolved oxygen was ample to maintain a healthy fish population. Bacteria levels were low and nutrients were also low for this stretch of the river and this time of year when agricultural releases are curtailed. The water temperature was 68„aF, the warmest in the basin.  River clarity was two feet. 
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Columbus Water Quality Rating
 
  Colorado River at Columbus  

The month of January brought a fair score to the Colorado River at Columbus.  Dissolved oxygen measurements were high enough to sustain a healthy fishery, and bacteria levels were low, but nutrients were elevated due to low flow conditions and wastewater effluent dominance. The water temperature was 57„aF. Clarity was greater than the total depth at the sampling location, two and a half feet.
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Inks Lake Water Quality Rating
 
   Inks Lake at Inks Lake State Park

Inks Lake received an excellent score in January. All tests revealed ideal water quality measurements. Dissolved oxygen was supportive of a healthy fish community. Bacteria levels were low.  Nutrients were also low. The water temperature was 50„aF.   Lake visibility was clear to the bottom at four feet.
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La Grange Water Quality Rating
 
  Colorado River in La Grange

The Colorado River at La Grange earned a fair rating in January. Dissolved oxygen levels were high enough to support a healthy fish population. Bacteria was within acceptable limits. Nutrients were elevated, though not unusual for this time of year when flows are effluent dominant. The water temperature was 59„aF.  River clarity was three feet.
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Lake Buchanan Water Quality Rating
 
   Lake Buchanan at Burnet County Park 

This month Lake Buchanan scored an excellent rating. All water quality parameters were optimal for this time of year. Dissolved oxygen levels were high enough to maintain a healthy fish population.  Bacteria levels were low. Nutrients were also low. The water temperature was 61„aF.  Lake visibility was one foot.
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Lake LBJ Water Quality Rating
 
  Lake LBJ at Camp Champions

Lake LBJ earned an excellent rating in January with all water quality parameters at ideal levels. Dissolved oxygen was high enough to maintain a healthy fish population. Bacteria levels and nutrients were low. The water temperature was 55„aF. Lake transparency was just under three and a half feet.
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Lake Marble Falls Water Quality Rating
 
  Lake Marble Falls at Lakeside Park

Lake Marble Falls’ rating was excellent in January with optimal water quality measurements for this time of year. Dissolved oxygen was supportive of a viable fishery.  Bacteria levels and nutrients were low. The water temperature was 55„aF.  Lake transparency was four and a half feet.
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Lake Travis Water Quality Rating
Lake Travis
  Lake Travis at Lago Vista

Lake Travis scored an excellent water quality rating this month. All water quality parameters were ideal for this time of year. Dissolved oxygen was high enough to support a healthy fishery, and bacteria levels were low. Nutrients were also low. The water temperature was 57„aF.  Lake visibility was four feet.
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Llano River Water Quality Rating
 
   Llano River at RR 3404 

The Llano River earned an excellent score for the month of January. Dissolved oxygen was supportive of healthy aquatic life. Bacteria and nutrients were low. The water temperature was 53„aF.  And transparency was greater than the total depth at the sampling location at about three and a half feet.
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Pedernales River Water Quality Rating
 
  Pedernales River at LBJ Nat'l Historic Park

The Pedernales River earned an excellent score in January with all water quality measurements at optimal levels. Dissolved oxygen was high enough to maintain a viable fish population. Bacteria levels were low as were nutrients.  The water temperature was 51„aF. River transparency was greater than the total depth at this location, half a foot.
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San Saba River Water Quality Rating
 
   San Saba River at Maxwell's Crossing

January brought the San Saba River an excellent water quality score. All water quality measurements were ideal for this time of year. Dissolved oxygen was high enough to sustain a healthy fishery. Bacteria levels and nutrients were low. The water temperature was 50„aF. Transparency was about half a foot.
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Smithville Water Quality Rating
 
  Colorado River at Hwy 95 in Smithville 

The Colorado River at Smithville was rated good in January. Dissolved oxygen was high enough to support a healthy fishery and bacteria levels were low. Nutrients were only slightly elevated. The water temperature was 54„aF. River transparency was just under two feet. Heavy rains and associated runoff on January 24 and 25 triggered additional sampling to monitor the effects of the Bastrop County Fires. Results were not available at the time of publication and will be discussed in next month’s report.
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Wharton Water Quality Rating
   
  Colorado River at Riverfront Park in Wharton

The Colorado River at Wharton earned a good water quality rating this month. Dissolved oxygen was supportive of healthy aquatic life.  Bacteria levels were low, but nutrients were slightly elevated, though typical for this time of year when flows are effluent dominant. The water temperature was 64„aF and transparency was three and a half feet.
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SWIMMING

LCRA's monthly water quality report is intended to give the public a snapshot of overall water quality conditions. But conditions can change quickly. High water quality index ratings do not preclude the existence of bacteria that may cause infections. Swimming in a river, lake or pond, rather than a disinfected swimming pool, carries some risk. So the public needs to take precautions at all times, such as avoiding stagnant water and staying out of the water after rains.

READING THE RATINGS

LCRA monitors the quality of the lower Colorado River as part of its responsibility as the river's steward. The monthly water quality report is issued monthly utilizing data collected by LCRA staff and Colorado River Watch Network certified volunteers to characterize the general quality of the river, tributaries and Highland Lakes using ratings of “excellent,” “good,” “fair” and “poor.” The index is based on a list of parameters, including dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform or E.coli bacteria, nutrients (phosphorus and/or nitrogen), temperature and total dissolved solids or conductivity.

Here's a primer on what the ratings mean:

  • Excellent: All water quality parameters measured are within optimal ranges. The water quality supports all designated uses and is esthetically pleasing and suitable for swimming.
  • Good: At least four of six parameters are within the acceptable ranges. The water quality supports most designated uses and is esthetically pleasing and suitable for swimming.
  • Fair: Half of the parameters are not within acceptable ranges or bacteria levels exceed state standards. Water quality supports noncontact recreational uses but may not be suitable for swimming.
  • Poor: At least four of the six parameters, including fecal bacteria, are outside acceptable limits. Contact recreation (such as swimming) is not recommended. To date, major flood events have been the primary reason for a poor rating.
— Updated on February 2, 2012 at 10:39 AM —

 
 
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