recreational use attainability analysis for little cypress bayou

Recreational Use Attainability Analysis for

Little Cypress Bayou (0501B) in the Sabine

River Basin

Prepared for:

Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board

Project 15-57

Prepared by:

Jimmy Millican

Jeff Stroebel

Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas

TR1601

August 2016

Recreational Use Attainability Analysis for Little Cypress Bayou Acknowledgements

ii

Acknowledgements

Funding for this project was provided through a Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board

(TSSWCB) State General Revenue Nonpoint Source Grant, project number 15-57, Recreational

Use Attainability Analysis for One Segment in the Red River Basin and One Water Body in the

Sabine River Basin. This project was sponsored by the TSSWCB through Texas Institute for

Applied Environmental Research (TIAER) at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas.

Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement.

For more information about this document or any other document TIAER produces, send email to

[email protected]

Authors

Jimmy Millican, assistant research scientist, TIAER, [email protected]

Jeff Stroebel, research associate, TIAER, [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Recreational Use Attainability Analysis for Little Cypress Bayou Table of Contents

iii

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................... ii

Authors ............................................................................................................................... ii

Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. iii

List of Figures ................................................................................................................... iv

List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... v

Chapter 1 ............................................................................................................................ 2

Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 2

Problem Statement ..................................................................................................... 2

Objectives .................................................................................................................... 3

Stakeholder and Agency Involvement ...................................................................... 3

Chapter 2 ............................................................................................................................ 5

Study Area .......................................................................................................................... 5

Description of Little Cypress Bayou ......................................................................... 5

Climatic Conditions .................................................................................................... 5

Land Use and Land Cover .......................................................................................... 6

Regulated Sources .................................................................................................... 10

Wastewater Discharge Facilities ............................................................................ 10

Regulated Stormwater ............................................................................................ 11

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations ............................................................. 12

Potential Unregulated Sources ................................................................................ 12

Non-Permitted Agricultural Activities and Domesticated Animals .......................... 12

Wildlife .................................................................................................................... 13

Failing On-Site Sewage Facilities ........................................................................... 13

Historical Information on Recreational Use ............................................................ 13

Chapter 3 .......................................................................................................................... 15

Little Cypress Bayou in Orange County (501B) ........................................................... 15

Survey Site Descriptions .......................................................................................... 15

Field Survey Results and Discussions ................................................................... 18

General Description of RUAA Survey Sites and Conditions for Little Cypress Bayou 0501B .......................................................................................................... 18

Physical Description of LC01 .................................................................................. 27



iv





Observations and Interviews ................................................................................... 37

Activities Observed ................................................................................................. 37

Activities Interviewed .............................................................................................. 40

Summary .................................................................................................................... 41

References ........................................................................................................................ 44

List of Figures

Figure 1.1 Watershed of Little Cypress Bayou (0501B). ................................................ 2

Figure 2.1 Monthly average precipitation for Orange, Texas. ........................................ 5

Figure 2.2 Monthly average maximum and minimum air temperatures for Orange, Texas compared to RUAA guidance for field surveys................................... 6

Figure 2.3 Land use and land cover of the Little Cypress Bayou watershed. ................ 9

Figure 2.4 Effluent E. coli concentrations obtained from discharge monitoring reports for the County Squire WWTF (USEPA, 2015; data queried September 23, 2015). ........................................................................................................... 11

Figure 2.5 Effluent E. coli concentrations obtained from discharge monitoring reports for the Longford Place WWTF (USEPA, 2015; data queried September 23, 2015). ........................................................................................................... 11

Figure 3.1 Watershed of Little Cypress Bayou (0501B). .............................................. 16

Figure 3.2 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC01 taken on July 1, 2015. The right bank of the 300-m transect. ................................................................. 27

Figure 3.3 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC01 taken on August 14, 2015. The upstream view of the 300-m transect. .................................................. 28

Figure 3.4 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC02 taken on July 1, 2015. ...... 29

Figure 3.5 Photograph of Little Cypree Bayou Site LC02 taken on August 14, 2015. . 30

Figure 3.6 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC03 taken on July 1, 2015, the downstream view of the 300-m transect. ..................................................... 31

Figure 3.7 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC03 taken on August 14, 2015, the upstream view of the 300-m transect. ................................................... 32

Figure 3.8 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC04 taken on July 1, 2015, the upstream view of the 0-m transect. ............................................................. 33


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Figure 3.10 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC05 taken on July 1, 2015, the upstream view of the 150-m transect. ......................................................... 35


Figure 3.12 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC06 taken on July 1, 2015, the downstream view of the 0-m transect. ......................................................... 36

Figure 3.13 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC06 taken on August 13, 2015, the downstream view of the 300-m transect................................................ 37

Figure 3.14 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou between Site LC02 and Site LC03 taken on July 1, 2015 showing chairs and fishing tackle along the bank.... 38

Figure 3.15 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou between Site LC03 and Site LC04 taken on August 14, 2015 showing recently constructed platform. ............. 39

Figure 3.16 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou between Site LC03 and Site LC04 taken on August 14, 2015 showing new platform with umbrella. ................ 39

Figure 3.17 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou between Site LC03 and Site LC04 taken on August 14, 2015 showing chairs and boat behind a residence. ... 40

Figure 3.18 Summary of observed and interviewed human activities on Little Cypress Bayou. .......................................................................................................... 42

List of Tables

Table 2.1 Land use/land cover classes within the Little Cypress Bayou watershed. .... 7

Table 2.2 Estimated livestock numbers within the Little Cypress Bayou watershed based on statistics for Orange County and adjusted for the percent of the county represented by the watershed (5.44% of Orange County). ............. 12

Table 3.1 Description and location of RUAA field survey sites for Little Cypress Bayou, Water Body 0501B. ......................................................................... 17

Table 3.2 Rainfall records with maximum and minimum temperature for Orange, Texas 30 days prior to the first RUAA survey initiated on July 1, 2015. ..... 20

Table 3.3 Rainfall records with maximum and minimum temperature for Orange, Texas 30 days prior to the second RUAA survey initiated on August 13-14, 2015. ............................................................................................................ 21

Table 3.4 Stream Channel and corridor appearance for each site sampled along Little Cypress Bayou (0501B). ............................................................................. 22

Table 3.5 Thalweg depth, stream flow type, and site accessibility during the two surveys of Little Cypress Bayou (0501B). ................................................... 23


vi

Table 3.6 Description of surveyed stream sites along Little Cyress Bayou during first survey performed in July 1, 2015. ............................................................... 24

Table 3.7 Description of surveyed stream sites along Little Cypress Bayou during second survey performed in August 13-14, 2015. ...................................... 24

Table 3.8 Stream aesthetics along Little Cypress Bayou during first survey performed in July 1, 2015. ............................................................................................. 25

Table 3.9 Stream aesthetics along Little Cypress Bayou during second survey performed in August 13-14, 2015. ............................................................... 26

Table 3.10 Summary of recreational activities noted in interviews for Little Cypress Bayou. .......................................................................................................... 41

Recreational Use Attainability Analysis for Little Cypress Bayou Chapter 1 Introduction

2

Chapter 1

Introduction

Problem Statement

Little Cypress Bayou (0501B) is an unclassified water body identified for assessment purposes by

the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Little Cypress Bayou is approximately

8.5 river miles long and is defined in the 2012 Texas Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality

(TCEQ, 2012) as being located from the confluence with the Sabine River to the headwaters west

of Reese in Orange County (Figure 1.1). Three assessment units (AUs) have been established by

TCEQ for Little Cypress Bayou (0501B). The lower 4.2 miles of Little Cypress Bayou has been

designated as AU 0501B_01. The section of Little Cypress Bayou located 0.3 miles upstream to

0.5 miles downstream of Bear Path Road in Orange, Texas has been designated as AU 0501B_02.

The third AU is described as the upper 3.2 miles of the bayou and is designated as 0501B_03. All

three AUs within Little Cypress Bayou (0501B) were first listed on the Texas 303(d) list as

impaired for bacteria in 2006 and have continued to be listed as impaired for bacteria in the 2008,

2010, 2012, and 2014 Texas 303(d) lists. Additional impairments for Little Cypress Bayou include

water toxicity, depressed dissolved oxygen and an impaired fish community. Water toxicity is

based on chronic ambient toxicity texts that was first listed in 2004 for all three AUs and continued

through subsequent Texas 303(d) lists. Depressed dissolved oxygen was identified within all three

AUs and first listed on the 2006 Texas 303(d) list and subsequent lists. The 2014 Texas 303(d) has

also listed AU 0501B_02 as having an impaired fish community. It should be noted that toxicity in

water, depressed dissolved oxygen, and impaired fish community are parameters used in assessing

a water body’s aquatic life use rather than recreational use, and therefore are not addressed in this

study. The Texas Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality1 includes the Texas 303(d) list of

impaired water bodies and is available online dating back to 1992.

Little Cypress Bayou (0501B) has a presumed use of primary contact recreation based on the Texas

Surface Water Quality Standards (TSWQS) (TCEQ, 2010). Prior to June 2010 only two

categories of recreation use, contact and noncontact, existed in Texas. In June 2010, the TCEQ

adopted revisions to the TSWQS that expanded the designation of contact recreation into three

categories (primary contact recreation, secondary contact recreation 1, and secondary contact

recreation 2) based on varying degrees of interaction with the water, while maintaining a fourth

category of noncontact recreation. These revisions were codified in the Texas Administrative

Code (TAC), Title 30 Chapter 307 and became effective as a state rule on July 22, 2010 (TCEQ,

2010). As a result of these revisions to the TSWQS, all water bodies listed as impaired based on

bacteria for contact recreation are scheduled to undergo a standards review to determine if primary

contact recreation is appropriate or if a revision to the use category for recreation should be

considered.

Use attainability analyses (UAAs) are studies to evaluate the designated or presumed uses of a

water body. In order to identify and assign attainable uses and criteria to individual water bodies,

UAAs evaluate physical, chemical, biological, and economic factors affecting use attainment of a

water body (40 Code of Federal Regulations §131.10(g)). A recreational use attainability analysis

(RUAA) is a specific type of UAA focused on determining the appropriate recreational use

https://www.tceq.texas.gov/waterquality/assessment/305_303.html


3

category of a water body, the findings of which are presented within this report for Little Cypress

Bayou (0501B).

1 https://www.tceq.texas.gov/waterquality/assessment/305_303.html

https://www.tceq.texas.gov/waterquality/assessment/305_303.html


2

Figure 1.1 Watershed of Little Cypress Bayou (0501B).

The area highlighted within the State of Texas is Newton and Orange Counties, within which the

watershed of Little Cypress Bayou resides. SP indicates State Park and WMA indicates

Watershed Management Area.


3

Objectives

The objective of this report is to present the findings of a Comprehensive RUAA for Little Cypress

Bayou following the TCEQ March 2014 Procedures for a Comprehensive RUAA and a Basic

RUAA Survey (TCEQ, 2014). An RUAA consists of three parts: field surveys to document water

body characteristics and signs of recreation, interviews with stakeholders regarding past and

current use of the water body, and a historical review regarding recreational use of the water body.

All components of this RUAA were performed by Texas Institute for Applied Environmental

Research (TIAER), which is located on the campus of Tarleton State University in Stephenville,

Texas. Field surveys and interviews for the RUAA were conducted under a Texas State Soil and

Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) approved Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP; TIAER,

2015).

Stakeholder and Agency Involvement

The TSSWCB and its collaborating entities maintain an inclusive public participation process.

From the inception of this project, the project team sought to ensure that stakeholders were

informed and involved. TIAER provided coordination for public participation for this project.

Input from the TCEQ regional staff, United States Geological Survey regional staff, Texas Parks

and Wildlife Department (TPWD) regional staff, TSSWCB, Orange County Drainage District,

Lower Sabine and Neches Soil and Water Conservation District, Sabine River Authority (SRA)

and other local agencies was solicited as well as input from watershed stakeholders on the need for

the RUAA (see Contact Information Form available on the project website noted below).

Meetings with state agencies, river authority representatives, local officials, and stakeholders were

held to give an overview of water quality issues within the Little Cypress Bayou watershed and to

obtain comments on proposed survey sites prior to field data collection. Meetings targeted local

and state agencies as well as stakeholders in an effort to inform them of the assessment of water

quality within Little Cypress Bayou and the need for an RUAA. TIAER representatives met with

officials from Orange County, the City of Orange, and Lower Sabine – Neches Soil and Water

Conservation District on March 10, 2015.

A public meeting focusing specifically on the RUAA was held at the Sabine River Authority

headquarters located in Orange, Texas on April 14, 2015. At this meeting input was sought on the

proposed sampling sites for the Little Cypress Bayou RUAA. Attendees provided information

regarding activities that typically occur within the watershed and offered assistance in accessing

the stream via privately owned property.

On August 13, 2015, a second public meeting was held at the Sabine River Authority headquarters

to inform stakeholders of the findings from the first RUAA field survey that was conducted on July

1, 2015. The importance of interviews in providing feedback on past recreational use was

emphasized by TIAER. Interview forms were made available at this meeting as well as through

the project website. Several attendees agreed to complete interviews.

A final public meeting occurred March 29, 2016 at the Sabine River Authority headquarters in

Orange, Texas to inform stakeholders of the findings of both field surveys. The next steps of the

RUAA were discussed at this meeting and feedback from stakeholders was solicited. At the


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meeting, stakeholders were informed that the draft RUAA report is open for public review and

comment. The draft report is available via the project website. Additionally, TIAER provided

hard copies if desired by individuals.

Watershed stakeholders were invited to attend public meetings through mailed invitations, public

announcements (TCEQ and TSSWCB webpages), and individual phone calls. Information on past

meetings for this RUAA, presentations, and other information, can be found on the project’s

website: Little Cypress Bayou Project Webpage2

2 http://tiaer.tarleton.edu/ruaa/little-cypress-bayou.html

http://tiaer.tarleton.edu/ruaa/little-cypress-bayou.html

http://tiaer.tarleton.edu/ruaa/little-cypress-bayou.html

Recreational Use Attainability Analysis for Little Cypress Bayou Chapter 2 Study Area

5

Chapter 2

Study Area

Description of Little Cypress Bayou

Little Cypress Bayou is located in Orange County within the coastal area of the Sabine River

Basin. The Little Cypress Bayou watershed is approximately 13,222 acres (21 square miles) and

includes a portion of the City of Orange, Texas. The most downstream section of Little Cypress

Bayou (AU 0501B_01) flows through the Blue Elbow Swamp that includes the Tony Houseman

State Park and Wildlife Management Area (Figure 1.1). Housing subdivisions are prevalent from

the Highway 87 bridge crossing up to the Little Cypress Drive crossing.

Little Cypress Bayou (0501B) is defined as a tidal stream by TCEQ (TCEQ, 2012). The category

of tidal stream is given to a water body if tidal activity has been observed on that water body and if

total dissolved solids measured from water samples is equal to or greater than 2,000 mg/L and

salinity is equal to or greater than 2 parts per thousand (TCEQ, 2012).

Climatic Conditions

Annual precipitation for the Little Cypress Bayou watershed was based on data obtained from the

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s website (NOAA, 2015) for Orange, Texas.

Normal precipitation (1987-2014) for Orange, Texas averages 61.3 inches per month with peak

rainfall typically occurring in the months of June and July (Figure 2.1).

Figure 2.1 Monthly average precipitation for Orange, Texas.

Source: NOAA (2015) based on data for 1987-2014.

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Pre

cip

itati

on

(in

ch

es)

Average Total Precipitation


6

Average maximum temperatures for Orange, Texas rise above 70ºF beginning in March and

continue through October (Figure 2.2). March through October are the months noted as generally

suitable for assessing recreational use, but only if temperatures reach above 70º F (TCEQ, 2014).

Figure 2.2 Monthly average maximum and minimum air temperatures for Orange, Texas

compared to RUAA guidance for field surveys.

Source: NOAA (2015) based on data for 1987-2015 and TCEQ (2014).

Land Use and Land Cover

The Little Cypress Bayou watershed lies within portions of three ecoregions as defined in the

publication Ecoregions of Texas (Griffith et al., 2007). The majority of the watershed is located

within the Flatwoods ecoregion. The western edge of the watershed is located within the Northern

Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies and the south eastern edge is located within the Floodplains and Low

Terraces ecoregion. In general all three ecoregions share similar physiography in that they are

characterized as having flat plains with low gradient streams.

The dominant land cover within the Little Cypress Bayou is woody wetlands at 41.3% and is

present throughout the watershed (Table 2.1 and Figure 2.3). Woody wetlands are especially

prevalent in the lower portion of the watershed and correspond to the location of the Tony

Houseman Blue Elbow Swamp. The combined developed land use classes represent

approximately 22.7% of the watershed area and are mostly located within or in close proximity to

the City of Orange.

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Air

Tem

pera

ture

(⁰F

)

Average Max. Average Min. RUAA Guidance


7

Table 2.1 Land use/land cover classes within the Little Cypress Bayou watershed.

Source: 2006 National Land Cover Database (USGS, 2006).

Class Area (acres) Percent (%)

Open Water 118 0.90

Developed, Open Space 1,113 8.46

Developed, Low Intensity 1,644 12.5

Developed, Medium Intensity 179 1.36

Developed, High Intensity 47 0.36

Barren Land 26 0.20

Deciduous Forest 9 0.07

Evergreen Forest 1,450 11.0

Mixed Forest 632 4.80

Shrub/Scrub 986 7.50

Grassland/Herbaceous 512 3.89

Hay/Pasture 707 5.38

Cultivated Crops 99 0.75

Woody Wetlands 5,432 41.3

Emergent Herbaceous Wetlands 267 2.03

Total 13,222 100.0

The land use/land cover for the watershed area was obtained from the National Land Cover

Database (NLCD) maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS, 2006). The land use/land

cover categories within the watershed are described as follows from the NLCD legend:

Open Water – Areas of open water, generally with less than 25% cover of vegetation or

soil.

Developed, Open Space – Areas with a mixture of some constructed materials, but mostly

vegetation in the form of lawn grasses. Impervious surfaces account for less than 20% of

total cover. These areas most commonly include large-lot, single-family housing units,

parks, golf courses, and vegetation planted in developed settings for recreation, erosion

control, or aesthetic purposes.

Developed, Low Intensity – Areas with a mixture of constructed materials and vegetation.

Impervious surfaces account for 20% to 49% percent of total cover. These areas most

commonly include single-family housing units.


8

Developed, Medium Intensity – Areas with a mixture of constructed materials and

vegetation. Impervious surfaces account for 50% to 79% of the total cover. These areas

most commonly include single-family housing units.

Developed High Intensity – Highly developed areas where people reside or work in high

numbers. Examples include apartment complexes, row houses, and commercial/industrial.

Impervious surfaces account for 80% to 100% of the total cover.

Deciduous Forest – Areas dominated by trees generally greater than 5 meters tall, and

greater than 20% of total vegetation cover. More than 75% of the tree species shed foliage

simultaneously in response to seasonal change.

Evergreen Forest – Areas dominated by trees generally greater than 5 meters tall, and

greater than 20% of total vegetation cover. More than 75% of the tree species maintain

their leaves all year. Canopy is never without green foliage.

Mixed Forest – Areas dominated by trees generally greater than 5 meters tall, and greater

than 20% of total vegetation cover. Neither deciduous nor evergreen species are greater

than 75% of total tree cover.

Shrub/Scrub – Areas dominated by shrubs; less than 5 meters tall with shrub canopy

typically greater than 20% of total vegetation. This class includes true shrubs, young trees

in an early successional stage, or trees stunted from environmental conditions.

Grassland/Herbaceous – Areas dominated by gramanoid or herbaceous vegetation,

generally greater than 80% of total vegetation. These areas are not subject to intensive

management such as tilling, but can be utilized for grazing.

Pasture/Hay – Areas of grasses, legumes, or grass-legume mixtures planted for livestock

grazing or the production of seed or hay crops, typically on a perennial cycle. Pasture/hay

vegetation accounts for greater than 20% of total vegetation.

Cultivated Crops – Areas used for the production of annual crops, such as corn, soybeans,

vegetables, tobacco, and cotton, and also perennial woody crops such as orchards and

vineyards. Crop vegetation accounts for greater than 20% of total vegetation. This class

also includes all land being actively tilled.

Woody Wetlands – Areas where forest or shrubland vegetation accounts for greater than

20% of vegetative cover and the soil or substrate is periodically saturated with or covered

with water.

Emergent Herbaceous Wetlands – Areas where perennial herbaceous vegetation

accounts for greater than 80% of vegetative cover and the soil or substrate is periodically

saturated with or covered with water.


9

Figure 2.3 Land use and land cover of the Little Cypress Bayou watershed.

Source: 2006 National Land Cover Database (USGS, 2006).


10

Regulated Sources

Potential sources of fecal pollution, as measured by indicator bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli),

can be divided into two primary categories: regulated and unregulated. Pollution sources that are

regulated have permits issued by TCEQ under the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

(TPDES) and/or by the USEPA under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

(NPDES) and are generally point sources. Examples of regulated sources include domestic and

industrial wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs); stormwater from industries, construction, and

municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) of cities; and concentrated animal feeding

operations (CAFOs). These various regulated sources are required to have either an individual

permit that is specific for each facility or a general permit for operation.

Wastewater Discharge Facilities

The County Squire WWTF (TPDES permit WQ0011589-001) and the Longford Place WWTF

(TPDES permit WQ0011155-001) are the only wastewater facilities permitted to discharge into

Little Cypress Bayou. Both WWTFs are operated by the North Orange Water and Sewer, LLC.

The County Squire WWTF is authorized to discharge treated wastewater at a rate not to exceed

0.153 million gallons per day (MGD). The Longford Place WWTF is permitted to discharge at a

rate not to exceed 0.0315 MGD. Permits for both facilities contain limits for E. coli in which the

monthly geometric mean shall not exceed 126 most probable number (MPN) per 100 mL and a

single grab sample shall not exceed 394 MPN/100 mL for the County Squire WWTF and 399

MPN/100 mL for the Longford Place WWTF. The County Squire WWTF is required to

monitor E. coli concentrations monthly, while the Longford Place WWTF is required to monitor

E. coli quarterly.

Data obtained from discharge monitoring reports for the past five years indicates that the average

monthly flow for the County Squire WWTF has been approximately 0.03 MGD and the

Longford Place WWTF has been approximately 0.02 MGD (USEPA, 2015). Discharge

monitoring reports also reveal that over the past five years effluent discharged from both

facilities have had instances in which E. coli concentrations have exceeded permitted limits. The

County Squire WWTF had five instances in which E. coli concentrations exceeded the geometric

mean limit and one instance in which the single grab sample limit was exceeded (Figure 2.4).

The Longford Place WWTF had five instances in which E. coli concentrations exceeded both the

single grab sample limit and the geometric mean limit (Figure 2.5).


11

Figure 2.4 Effluent E. coli concentrations obtained from discharge monitoring reports for the

County Squire WWTF (USEPA, 2015; data queried September 23, 2015).

Figure 2.5 Effluent E. coli concentrations obtained from discharge monitoring reports for the

Longford Place WWTF (USEPA, 2015; data queried September 23, 2015).

Regulated Stormwater

The TPDES and the NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) Phase I and II rules require

municipalities and certain other entities in urban areas to obtain permits for their stormwater

systems. Phase I permits are individual permits for large and medium sized communities with

populations exceeding 100,000, whereas Phase II permits are for smaller communities that are

located within an “Urbanized Area”. An “Urbanized Area” is defined by the U.S. Census

Bureau as an area with populations greater than 50,000 and with an overall population density of

at least 1,000 people per square mile. The City of Orange has a total population of 18,595 based

1

10

100

1000

10000

100000

Ap

r-12

Oct-1

2

Ma

y-1

3

No

v-1

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Ju

n-1

4

De

c-1

4

Ju

l-15

Jan

-16

E. c

oli

(M

PN

/10

0 m

l)

E. coli (MPN/100 ml) Geometric Mean Limit Single Grab Sample Limit

1

10

100

1000

10000

Au

g-1

0

Fe

b-1

1

Sep

-11

Ap

r-12

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(M

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/10

0 m

l)

E. coli (MPN/100 ml) Geometric Mean Limit Single Grab Sample Limit


12

on 2010 population estimates from U.S. Census Bureau (USCB, 2010). The population of the

City of Orange is less than what is required for Phase I and II permits; however the City of

Orange is within an urbanized area identified as the Port Arthur Urbanized Area. The location of

the City of Orange within an urbanized area, thus, necessitated that stormwater discharges be

regulated under a Phase II general permit. A Phase II general permit (TPDES TXR040430) was

issued to the City of Orange on October 27, 2010.

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

There are currently no permitted CAFOs located within the watershed of Little Cypress Bayou

(0501B).

Potential Unregulated Sources

Unregulated sources are typically nonpoint source in nature, meaning the pollution originates from

multiple diffuse locations and is usually carried to surface waters by rainfall runoff, and the sources

are not regulated by permit under the TPDES and NPDES. Potential unregulated sources include

wildlife (mammals and birds), large exotics, unmanaged feral animals (e.g., feral hogs), on-site

sewage facilities (OSSFs), pets, and livestock.

Non-Permitted Agricultural Activities and Domesticated Animals

Activities such as livestock grazing close to water bodies and agricultural use of manure as

fertilizer, can contribute E. coli to nearby water bodies. Livestock statistics were obtained from

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service website

(USDA, 2012). While these are county level statistics and thus only a very rough estimate of

livestock in the watershed (Table 2.2), these statistics indicate that beef cattle, goats, and horses are

the most common livestock found within the watershed.

Table 2.2 Estimated livestock numbers within the Little Cypress Bayou watershed based on

statistics for Orange County and adjusted for the percent of the county represented

by the watershed (5.44% of Orange County).

Source: USDA (2012).

County

Cattle &

Calves

(all beef)

All Goats All Sheep Horses &

ponies

Hogs

& Pigs

Orange 8,268 1,110 160 949 128

Proportional

Average for

Little

Cypress

Bayou

Watershed

450 60 9 52 7


13

Domestic pets are another unregulated source of E. coli bacteria, particularly dogs, because storm

runoff often carries these wastes into streams (USEPA, 2009). A rough estimate of the dog and cat

population can be computed assuming there are 0.584 dogs and 0.638 cats per household (AVMA,

2012). According to the 2010 census there are 2,032 households within the Little Cypress Bayou

watershed which indicates that there are potentially 1,187 dogs and 1,296 cats residing within the

watershed.

Wildlife

E. coli bacteria are common inhabitants of the intestines of all warm blooded animals, including

wildlife such as mammals and birds. Wildlife are naturally attracted to riparian corridors of

streams and rivers. With direct access to the stream channel, the deposition of wildlife waste can

be a concentrated source of bacteria loading to a water body. Fecal bacteria from wildlife are also

deposited onto land surfaces, where it may be washed into nearby streams by rainfall runoff.

Failing On-Site Sewage Facilities

Septic systems or on-site sewage facilities (OSSFs) are often used in rural areas that do not have

the ability to connect to a central wastewater collection system. To estimate the number of

potential OSSFs in the watershed, a GIS layer associated with the sewer Certificates of

Convenience and Necessity (CCNs) from the Public Utility Commission of Texas was used.

Because not all cities with WWTFs have CCNs, the CCN layer was supplemented with a GIS layer

representing municipal boundaries. Population data from the U.S. Census Bureau were then

overlaid masking out areas that would likely be serviced by WWTFs. Of the 2,032 households in

the Little Cypress Bayou watershed, approximately 35% were outside of areas serviced by

WWTFs and thus likely on septic systems.

Historical Information on Recreational Use

A review of historical information was performed regarding recreational water uses for Little

Cypress Bayou. The review considered the time period of November 28, 1975 to the present in

accordance with 40 CFR Part 131 (EPA standards regulation). Government offices, libraries, and

newspapers were searched and contacted in addition to generic internet searches. The following is

a summary of the review and searches.

Government Sources:

City of Orange

City of Orange Homepage3

Nothing significant was found

Texas Parks and Wildlife

Bill Adams

Blue Elbow Swamp-Tony Houseman WMA/SP

Phone: 936-569-8547

Contacted on November 25, 2015 by Jimmy Millican

Mr. Adams stated that did not know of any primary contact recreational uses such as swimming

or children wading that had occurred along Little Cypress Bayou.

http://www.orangetexas.net/


14

Sabine River Authority

John Payne

Special Projects Administrator

409-746-2192

Contacted on November 25, 2015 by Jimmy Millican

Mr. Payne stated that he did not know of any primary contact recreational uses such as

swimming or children wading that had occurred along Little Cypress Bayou.

Library Sources:

The City of Orange Public Library

City of Orange Public Library Homepage4

Phone: (409) 883-1086

Searched online catalog. Nothing significant was found.

Newspaper Sources:

The Orange Leader Newspaper

The Orange Leader Newspaper Homepage5

Phone: 409-883-3571

Explored various links and online texts. Nothing significant was found.

Internet Searches:

The Handbook of Texas Online

The Handbook of Texas Online - Search for Little Cypress Bayou6

Searched the handbook by river name. Nothing significant was found.

Texas Escapes Online Magazine

Texas Escapes Online Magazine - Search for Little Cypress Bayou7

Nothing significant was found.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Information regarding outdoor recreation opportunities within the Blue Elbow Swamp-Tony

Houseman WMA was found which included hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, and

canoeing.

Tony Houseman WMA8

The Blue Elbow9

Map – Blue Elbow Swamp – Tony Houseman WMA/SP10

3 http://www.orangetexas.net/

4 http://orangetexaslibrary.com/

5 http://www.orangeleader.com/

6 http://www.tshaonline.org/

7 http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasGulfCoastTowns/OrangeTexas.htm

8 https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/wma/find_a_wma/list/?id=38

9 https://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2003/sept/ed_4/

10 https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/lands/table_contents/media/712.pdf

http://orangetexaslibrary.com/

http://www.orangeleader.com/

http://www.tshaonline.org/

http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasGulfCoastTowns/OrangeTexas.htm

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/wma/find_a_wma/list/?id=38

https://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2003/sept/ed_4/

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/lands/table_contents/media/712.pdf

http://www.orangetexas.net/

http://orangetexaslibrary.com/

http://www.orangeleader.com/

http://www.tshaonline.org/

http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasGulfCoastTowns/OrangeTexas.htm

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/wma/find_a_wma/list/?id=38

https://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2003/sept/ed_4/

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/lands/table_contents/media/712.pdf

Recreational Use Attainability Analysis Chapter 3 Little Cypress Bayou in Orange County

15

Chapter 3

Little Cypress Bayou in Orange County (501B)

Survey Site Descriptions

Little Cypress Bayou (0501B) is 8.5 river miles long indicating a goal of five sites (3 sites per 5

miles of river) for the RUAA survey. With the help of cooperating stakeholders, TIAER was able

to establish a total of six survey sites along Little Cypress Bayou (Figure 3.1 and Table 3.1). Five

of the six sites were located at public road crossings and one site was accessible via boat from the

Sabine River or from an upstream bridge crossing.

The boat accessible site, Site LC01, is located within the Blue Elbow Swamp – Tony Houseman

Wildlife Management Area/State Park. This WMA is a cooperative effort between the Texas

Department of Transportation and Texas Parks and Wildlife. According to website information,

the easiest way to access the area is by boat from one of two boat ramps in the area. One public

boat ramp is located at Bluebird Fishing Camp, just south of Interstate Highway 10 on State

Highway 90 in Orange, Texas. The second boat ramp is located at the end of Pine Bluff Road

within the WMA. According to a Texas Parks and Wildlife representative, the boat ramp belongs

to TPWD but is utilized and maintained by local residents. Outdoor recreation opportunities

within the WMA include public hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, and canoeing.

At the five publicly accessible sites, there was actually very limited public access due to private

property fences upstream and downstream of the crossings. Access to the stream between road

crossings was moderately difficult due to steep banks and dense vegetation, in addition to the areas

being private property. Three of the publicly accessible sites were co-located with TCEQ sampling

stations. RUAA surveys were performed July 1, 2015 and August 13-14, 2015 at all locations. A

brief description of each site follows.


16

Figure 3.1 Watershed of Little Cypress Bayou (0501B).


17

Table 3.1 Description and location of RUAA field survey sites for Little Cypress Bayou, Water Body 0501B.

TCEQ

ID

Site

ID Site Description Latitude Longitude

Distance

from

Previous

Site (mi)1

Distance

from

Confluence

(mi)1

Access

LC01

Little Cypress Bayou 1.95 miles from

confluence with Sabine River within

the Tony Houseman State Park and

Wildlife Management Area

30.146880 -93.724341 Not

applicable 1.95 Public

14503 LC02 Little Cypress Bayou at FM 3247 30.152068 -93.746679 1.52 3.47 Public*

LC03 Little Cypress Bayou at State

Highway 87 30.155780 -93.753350 0.50 3.97 Public*

15520 LC04 Little Cypress Bayou at Bear Path

Drive 30.160528 -93.760830 0.62 4.59 Public*

16690 LC05 Little Cypress Bayou at Little

Cypress Drive 30.165249 -93.764500 0.42 5.01 Public*

LC06 Little Cypress Bayou at Teal Street 30.199465 -93.778609 3.11 8.12 Public* 1Distances were digitally estimated using the measuring tool in ArcGIS 9.3 with the 2010 National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP)

1-m digital orthophoto quarter quads (DOQQs) and the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) stream layer as reference guides.

Indicates public access limited to the bridge area due to fenced private property upstream and downstream of the crossing.


18

Site LC01 is located on Little Cypress Bayou approximately 1.5 miles downstream of the bridge

crossing at Farm-to-Market Road 3247 and approximately 2.0 miles upstream of the confluence

with the Sabine River, northeast of Orange, Texas. The site is located within the Blue Elbow

Swamp – Tony Houseman Wildlife Management Area / State Park. Site LC01 was selected

because of public accessibility and the site provided opportunity for characterization of 0501B.

Site LC02 (TCEQ Station 14503) is located on Little Cypress Bayou at the bridge crossing on

Farm-to-Market Road 3247, northeast of Orange, Texas. Site LC02 provided limited public access

at the bridge crossing with private property upstream and downstream of the crossing. The site

was selected because of landowner cooperation and the site provided opportunity for

characterization of 0501B.

Site LC03 is located on Little Cypress Bayou at the bridge crossing on State Highway 87, north of

Orange, Texas. Site LC03 allowed limited public access at the bridge crossing with private

property upstream and downstream of the crossing. The site was selected because of public access

and the site provided opportunity for characterization of 0501B.

Site LC04 (TCEQ Station 15520) is located on Little Cypress Bayou at the bridge crossing on Bear

Path Drive, north of Orange, Texas. Site LC04 was only publicly accessible at the bridge with

private property upstream and downstream of the crossing. The site was selected because of public

accessibility and the site provided opportunity for characterization of 0501B.

Site LC05 (TCEQ Station 16690) is located on Little Cypress Bayou at the bridge crossing on

Little Cypress Drive, north of Orange, Texas. Site LC05 was only publicly accessible at the bridge

with private property upstream and downstream of the crossing. The site was selected because of

public accessibility and the site provided opportunity for characterization of 0501B.

Site LC06 is located on Little Cypress Bayou at the culvert crossing on Teal Street, north of

Orange, Texas. Site LC06 was only publicly accessible at the culvert with fenced private property

upstream and downstream of the crossing. The site was selected because of landowner cooperation

and the site provided opportunity for characterization of 0501B.

Field Survey Results and Discussions

General Description of RUAA Survey Sites and Conditions for Little Cypress Bayou 0501B

The Little Cypress Bayou RUAA surveys were conducted on July 1, 2015 and August 13-14, 2015

at all six sites. The surveys were performed on weekdays, weekends, or holidays at opportune

times to observe recreational activities. Air temperatures prior to and during both the first and

second surveys were above 21C (70F) indicated by the RUAA guidelines as warm enough to

promote recreational activities (Tables 3.2 and 3.3). In the 30 days prior to the first survey, 5.62

inches of precipitation fell, while 0.33 inches fell 30 days prior to the second survey. On the day of

the first survey (July 1, 2015) 0.33 inches of precipitation was recorded (Table 3.2); however, the

precipitation occurred during the evening hours after the first survey had been completed. On

August 13, 2015 0.08 inches of precipitation was recorded prior to initiation of the second survey.

The precipitation amount and intensity was not significant enough to hinder stream access or


19

increase stream flow. The Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) represented moderately wet

conditions for East Texas during both July and August 2015 (TWDB, 2015).

A summary of the RUAA field survey results is presented in the following tables:

Table 3.5 describes the stream channel and corridor characteristics at each site.

Table 3.6 notes the average thalweg depth by site during each survey and the access to the

stream, whether public or private, and the ease of bank access.

Tables 3.7 and 3.8 document the maximum, minimum, and average stream widths at each

site for each survey and observed flow conditions.

Tables 3.9 and 3.10 note stream aesthetics, wildlife observations and tracks, and the

presence of garbage by site observed during each survey.

Physical descriptions of each site follow these tables along with selected photos showing notable

characteristics of each site. Overall thalweg depth averaged 1.4 m for the first survey and 1.3 m for

the second survey. Access to the stream was difficult or moderately difficult at five of the six sites

due to steep, densely vegetated banks. Access at Site LC06 was easy due to the gentle banks with

a mowed and maintained corridor. The dominant substrate was mud/clay, and the stream corridor

was largely lined with trees except in a few locations where mowed pastures abutted the stream.

The maximum stream width encountered was 27 m at the bridge crossing at Site LC02. Typical

stream widths were wider at the most downstream Site LC01, and gradually narrowed while

traveling upstream. Flow conditions were largely high at the lower sites and normal at the upper

sites during both surveys. The most upstream site (LC06) had no flow during the first survey and

was dry during the second survey. The water had a surface scum at all sites except Site LC06,

which was clear during the first survey and void of water during the second survey. The water

observed at Sites LC01 through LC05 was brown in color. No tracks were observed during either

survey due to the dense vegetation and TIAER personnel utilizing a boat to conduct the surveys.

However, even at the bridge crossing where vegetation was absent, no tracks were observed.

Trash was rarely observed at most survey sites and when observed was predominantly typical

plastics, aluminum cans, and bottles. Fishing tackle was observed at Site LC02 underneath the

bridge crossing. No other evidence of recreation was observed at the other five survey sites.

Evidence of potential recreation was observed while traveling via boat from site to site. Chairs,

fishing tackle, fishing platforms, and a small boat were observed along the banks at a few locations

between sites.


20

Table 3.2 Rainfall records with maximum and minimum temperature for Orange, Texas 30

days prior to the first RUAA survey initiated on July 1, 2015.

Survey dates are highlighted in gray. Weather Data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration’s National Climatic Data Center (NOAA, 2015).

Date Daily

Precipitation (in)

High

Temperature (°F)

Low

Temperature (°F)

01-Jun-15 0.00 84 68

02-Jun-15 0.00 85 65

03-Jun-15 0.00 86 66

04-Jun-15 0.00 88 68

05-Jun-15 0.00 88 70

06-Jun-15 0.00 89 69

07-Jun-15 0.00 91 70

08-Jun-15 0.00 92 71

09-Jun-15 0.00 90 71

10-Jun-15 0.05 92 72

11-Jun-15 0.00 90 73

12-Jun-15 0.00 91 73

13-Jun-15 0.89 88 74

14-Jun-15 0.50 80 73

15-Jun-15 0.38 88 74

16-Jun-15 0.36 88 73

17-Jun-15 2.35 85 75

18-Jun-15 0.72 84 73

19-Jun-15 0.03 84 75

20-Jun-15 0.21 88 75

21-Jun-15 0.00 89 74

22-Jun-15 0.00 90 74

23-Jun-15 0.00 87 72

24-Jun-15 0.00 89 72

25-Jun-15 0.01 92 72

26-Jun-15 0.00 90 72

27-Jun-15 0.00 90 74

28-Jun-15 0.10 90 70

29-Jun-15 0.02 88 73

30-Jun-15 0.00 88 73

01-Jul-15 0.33 88 68


21

Table 3.3 Rainfall records with maximum and minimum temperature for Orange, Texas 30

days prior to the second RUAA survey initiated on August 13-14, 2015.

Survey dates are highlighted in gray. Weather Data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration’s National Climatic Data Center (NOAA, 2015).

Date Daily

Precipitation (in) High

Temperature (°F)

Low

Temperature (°F)

14-Jul-15 0.00 92 73

15-Jul-15 0.00 91 71

16-Jul-15 0.00 93 71

17-Jul-15 0.00 93 73

18-Jul-15 0.00 91 74

19-Jul-15 0.00 96 76

20-Jul-15 0.00 95 76

21-Jul-15 0.00 94 75

22-Jul-15 0.03 91 74

23-Jul-15 0.00 92 74

24-Jul-15 0.00 95 73

25-Jul-15 0.00 95 74

26-Jul-15 0.00 96 74

27-Jul-15 0.02 96 75

28-Jul-15 0.00 93 74

29-Jul-15 0.00 95 74

30-Jul-15 0.00 96 75

31-Jul-15 0.00 94 75

1-Aug-15 0.00 94 70

2-Aug-15 0.00 94 67

3-Aug-15 0.00 96 67

4-Aug-15 0.00 97 70

5-Aug-15 0.00 94 73

6-Aug-15 0.00 95 75

7-Aug-15 0.00 96 77

8-Aug-15 0.00 96 75

9-Aug-15 0.00 98 75

10-Aug-15 0.00 98 76

11-Aug-15 0.00 99 76

12-Aug15 0.28 99 72

13-Aug-15 0.08 97 72

14-Aug-15 0.00 93 71


22

Table 3.4 Stream channel and corridor appearance for each site sampled along Little Cypress Bayou (0501B).

Site Number

Stream

Channel

Appearance

Dominant

Substrate

Corridor

Appearance

Riparian

Size Park

Landscape

Surroundings

LC01 Natural Mud/Clay Forest Large No Native

LC02 Natural Mud/Clay Forest Large No Native

LC03 Natural Mud/Clay Forest

Mowed Corridor Large No Native

LC04 Natural Mud/Clay Forest / Shrub

Mowed Corridor Large No

Native /

Residential

LC05 Natural Mud/Clay Forest / Shrub

Mowed Corridor Large No

Native /

Residential

LC06 Natural Mud/Clay Forest

Mowed Corridor Large No Native


23

Table 3.5 Thalweg depth, stream flow type, and site accessibility during the two surveys of Little Cypress Bayou (0501B).

Stream flow type represents TCEQ descriptions (TCEQ, 2012). Under general access, * indicates that the site was publically

accessible at a road crossing but that further access was limited by fencing of private property. For Bank Access, E = Easy, ME =

Moderately Easy, MD = Moderately Difficult, D = Difficult.

Site Reach

length (m)

# of

Transects

# of

Recreational

Areas at Site

Avg. Site

Thalweg Depth

(m) for Trip 1

Avg. Site

Thalweg Depth

(m) for Trip 2

Stream Flow

Type

General

Access

Bank

Access

LC01 300 11 0 2.4 2.3 Tidal Stream Public D

LC02 300 11 0 1.7 1.7 Tidal Stream Public* MD




LC06 300 11 0 0.2 0.0 Tidal Stream Public* E


24

Table 3.6 Description of surveyed stream sites along Little Cypress Bayou during first survey

performed in July 1, 2015.

Site Number Maximum Width

(m)

Minimum

Width

(m)

Typical

Average Width

(m)

Observed

Flow

LC01 26 15 25 High

LC02 27 16 18 High

LC03 18 10 13 High

LC04 12 8.0 10 Normal

LC05 10 7.0 8.0 Normal

LC06 4.0 2.0 3.0 No Flow

Table 3.7 Description of surveyed stream sites along Little Cypress Bayou during second survey

performed in August 13-14, 2015.

Site Number Maximum Width

(m)

Minimum

Width

(m)

Typical

Average Width

(m)

Observed

Flow

LC01 26 15 25 High

LC02 25 16 18 High

LC03 18 9.0 12 Normal

LC04 12 8.0 10 Normal

LC05 10 6.0 7.0 Normal

LC06 0.0 0.0 0.0 Dry


25

Table 3.8 Stream aesthetics along Little Cypress Bayou during first survey performed in July 1, 2015.

From Field Data Sheet – Section F: A = absent, R = rare, C = common, Ab = abundant, N = none, NW = no water, SP = slight

presence, MP = moderate presence, LP = large presence.

Site

Aq

uati

c V

eget

ati

on

Alg

ae

Cover

Od

or

Colo

r

Bott

om

Dep

osi

t

Wate

r S

urf

ace

Rep

tile

s

Wate

r D

epen

den

t

Bir

ds

Mam

mals

Evid

ence

of

wil

dli

fe

Larg

e garb

age

in

Ch

an

nel

Sm

all

garb

age

in

Ch

an

nel

Ban

k g

arb

age

LC01 R A N Brown Fine sediment Scum N SP N N N R N

LC02 R A N Brown Fine sediment Scum SP SP SP N N R N

LC03 R A N Brown Fine sediment Scum N N N N N R N



LC06 C A N Clear Fine sediment Clear N N N N N N N


26

Table 3.9 Stream aesthetics along Little Cypress Bayou during second survey performed in August 13-14, 2015.

From Field Data Sheet – Section F: A = absent, R = rare, C = common, Ab = abundant, N = none, NW = no water, SP = slight

presence, MP = moderate presence, LP = large presence. NA indicates not applicable because conditions were dry.

Site

Aq

uati

c V

eget

ati

on

Alg

ae

Cover

Od

or

Colo

r

Bott

om

Dep

osi

t

Wate

r S

urf

ace

Rep

tile

s

Wate

r D

epen

den

t

Bir

ds

Mam

mals

Evid

ence

of

wil

dli

fe

Larg

e garb

age

in

Ch

an

nel

Sm

all

garb

age

in

Ch

an

nel

Ban

k g

arb

age






LC06 C A A NA Fine sediment NA N N SP N N R R


27

Physical Description of LC01

Little Cypress Bayou at Site LC01 was visited on July 1 and August 14, 2015. This site was

located approximately 1.5 miles downstream of the bridge crossing on Farm-to-Market (FM) Road

3247, Northeast of Orange, Texas in Orange County. The site can only be publicly accessed via

boat upstream from the Sabine River or immediately downstream from the bridge crossing at FM

Road 3247. TIAER personnel accessed the site by launching a boat from a private boat ramp near

FM Road 3247 and traveled downstream. Site LC01 is located within the Blue Elbow Swamp –

Tony Houseman Wildlife Management Area / State Park.

The site is located in a forest dominated corridor (Table 3.4). At the site, access to the stream was

difficult due to the swamplike conditions of the banks and dense vegetation. Navigating the stream

in a boat is the easiest way to reach this portion of the Bayou. Figures 3.2 and 3.3 depict the

appearance of the site during each of the surveys.

Figure 3.2 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC01 taken on July 1, 2015. The right bank

of the 300-m transect.

Site LC01 was not wadeable as average thalweg depths were greater than 2.0 m during both

surveys. The relatively deep water necessitated the use of a small boat to conduct both surveys.

Stream widths were collected using a range finder and ranged from a minimum of 15 m to a

maximum of 26 m with a typical width of 25 m during both surveys (Tables 3.6 and 3.7).


28

Figure 3.3 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC01 taken on August 14, 2015. The

upstream view of the 300-m transect.

TIAER staff in photograph.

There was a slight presence of water dependent birds observed during the first survey with no other

vertebrates observed during either survey (Tables 3.8 and 3.9). No wildlife tracks or feces were

observed during either survey due to an inability to see most of the stream bank. Aquatic

vegetation was rare during both surveys, and algae cover was absent. Trash observed was rare to

non-existent and when encountered, consisted of plastic bottles. No evidence of human presence

was observed throughout the reach during either survey.


Little Cypress Bayou at site LC02 was visited on July 1 and August 14, 2015. This site was

located northeast of Orange, Texas in Orange County. Site LC02 was only publicly accessible at

the bridge crossing on FM Road 3247 with fenced private property located upstream and

downstream of the crossing. With landowner permission, TIAER personnel launched a small boat

from a private boat ramp immediately downstream of the bridge to conduct the survey of the 300-

m reach.

The majority of the stream corridor was forested along both banks except for approximately 150 m

along the right bank, which was mowed and maintained by a landowner (Table 3.4). At the site,

access to the stream was moderately difficult throughout most of the reach due to densely

vegetated forest areas along both banks (Table 3.5). There were two locations within the survey

reach that provided easier stream access. One location was the private boat ramp utilized by


29

TIAER field personnel to conduct the survey. The second location was the bridge crossing of FM

Road 3247, which had two mowed bar ditches. Figures 3.4 and 3.5 depict the site during each of

the surveys.

Figure 3.4 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC02 taken on July 1, 2015.

The downstream view of the 0-m transect.


30

Figure 3.5 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC02 taken on August 14, 2015.

The upstream view of the 150-m transect.

Site LC02 was non-wadeable for the entire 300-m reach length. Average thalweg was 1.7 m

during both surveys (Table 3.5). Due to the stream depths, TIAER personnel utilized a boat to

traverse the survey reach and collected depths and widths at each transect. Stream widths ranged

from a minimum of 16 m to a maximum of 27 m with a typical width of 18 m (Tables 3.6 and 3.7).

There were no obstructions encountered within the reach during either survey. A railroad crossing

was located near the 0-m transect.

During the first survey, there was a slight presence of snakes, alligators, and domesticated pets (the

landowner’s dog) observed within the reach. There were no mammals or other vertebrates

observed during the second survey (Tables 3.8 and 3.9). Due to the densely vegetated banks, no

tracks or feces were observed during either survey. Aquatic vegetation was rare and algae was

absent during both surveys. Water color was brown with a surface scum identified during each

survey. Trash consisting of typical plastic bottles and cups was rarely observed within the stream

channel. No trash was observed on the bank. Fishing tackle was observed underneath the bridge

crossing with no evidence of recreation observed throughout the rest of the reach.



located north of Orange, Texas in Orange County at the bridge crossing on State Highway 87.

TIAER personnel accessed the site by traveling upstream in a boat from a private boat ramp

located at Site LC02. The stream corridor was forested during the first survey and was shredded


31

during the second survey (Table 3.4). Access to the stream throughout the reach was moderately

difficult due to dense vegetation and steep banks as shown in Figure 3.6. The shredded bank

observed during the second survey is shown in Figure 3.7.

Site LC03 was non-wadeable for the entire 300 m reach length. Average thalweg was 1.6 m

during the first survey and 1.5 m during the second survey (Table 3.5). Widths of the stream

during both surveys ranged from a minimum of 9.0 m to a maximum of 18 m. The typical stream

width was 13 m during the first survey and 12 m during the second survey (Tables 3.6 and 3.7).

There were no channel obstructions encountered within the 300-m survey reach, but there was one

tree obstruction located between Sites LC02 and LC03, which TIAER personnel were barely able

to travel underneath.

There were no mammals, reptiles, or water dependent birds observed during either survey (Tables

3.8 and 3.9). Due to dense vegetation along both banks and TIAER personnel utilizing a boat to

survey the reach, no tracks or feces were observed during either survey. The presence of aquatic

vegetation was rare and algae cover was absent during both surveys. The water color during both

surveys was brown with a surface scum and no odor. Small trash was observed within the stream

channel consisting of typical plastics with no bank garbage observed during either survey. No

evidence of human recreation activity was observed within the survey reach.

Figure 3.6 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC03 taken on July 1, 2015, the downstream

view of the 300-m transect.

TIAER personnel in photograph.


32

Figure 3.7 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC03 taken on August 14, 2015, the




located north of Orange, Texas in Orange County, and was only publicly accessible at the bridge

crossing on Bear Path Drive with fenced private property upstream and downstream of the bridge.

The stream corridor was forest and shrub dominated on both banks during the first survey (Table

3.4). During the second survey, the left bank had been deforested and the mulched debris left

along the bank. A fenced city utility station was located at the bridge crossing on the right bank.

Access to the stream throughout the reach was moderately difficult due to steep slopes and dense

vegetation (Table 3.5). The general appearance of the creek at this location is shown in Figures 3.8

and 3.9.

Site LC04 was non-wadeable for the entire 300-m reach length with an average thalweg of 1.3 m

during the first survey and 1.1 m during the second survey (Table 3.5). TIAER utilized a small

boat to survey the stream and no obstructions were encountered within the survey reach. Widths of

the stream were similar during both surveys and ranged from 12 m to 7.5 m with a typical width of

10 m (Tables 3.6 and 3.7).


33

Figure 3.8 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC04 taken on July 1, 2015, the upstream





34

There were no mammals or other vertebrates observed during either survey (Tables 3.8 and 3.9).

No tracks or feces were observed during either trip due to the densely vegetated banks. Aquatic

vegetation was rare and algae was absent during both surveys. The brown colored water had a

surface scum during each survey. Trash was rarely observed within the stream channel and

consisted of typical plastics and no trash was observed along the banks. Evidence of potential

recreation was not observed within the survey reach.



located north of Orange, Texas in Orange County. It was publicly accessible at the bridge crossing

on Little Cypress Drive with fenced private property upstream and downstream of the crossing.

The stream corridor consisted primarily of forest and shrubs with some areas of mowed pasture

land on alternating banks throughout the reach. (Table 3.4). During the second survey the right

bank had been deforested. Access to the stream was moderately difficult due to the steep banks

and dense vegetation (Table 3.5). The general appearance of the site during each survey is shown

in Figures 3.10 and 3.11.

Site LC05 was non-wadeable for the entire 300-m reach length with average thalweg depths of 1.2

m during the first survey and 1.1 m during the second survey (Table 3.5). The dominate substrate

of the stream at this site was mud/clay. Widths ranged from a maximum of 10 m during the first

survey to a minimum of 6.0 m during the second survey with a typical average width of

approximately 7.5 m across both surveys (Tables 3.6 and 3.7). One tree obstruction was observed

just above the 300-m transect. Other submerged and overhanging obstructions were encountered,

but TIAER personnel were able to navigate around them.

There were no mammals or other vertebrates observed during either survey (Tables 3.8 and 3.9).

Due to the dense vegetation and TIAER personnel traveling in a boat, no tracks or feces were

observed during either survey, not even at the bridge crossing where bare ground was observed.

Aquatic vegetation was rare, algae cover was absent, and the water color was brown with a surface

scum observed during both surveys. Trash was rarely observed within the channel and when

encountered, consisted of typical plastic cups and bottles. No other trash, large or small, was

observed along the banks throughout the survey reach. Evidence of potential human recreation

was not identified within the survey reach.


35

Figure 3.10 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC05 taken on July 1, 2015, the upstream





36



located north of Orange, Texas in Orange County, and was only publicly accessible at the culvert

crossing on South Teal Street with fenced private property upstream and downstream of the

crossing. TIAER personnel entered the stream at the culvert and conducted the survey downstream

from the road crossing. The stream corridor was primarily forest on both banks except for a

mowed corridor along a pipeline (Table 3.4). At the site, access to the stream was easy via the left

bank (Table 3.5), but access via the right bank was more challenging due to dense forest. Figures

3.12 and 3.13 depict the general appearance of the site during each of the surveys.

Site LC06 was wadeable for the entire 300-m reach length. Average thalweg during the first

survey was 0.2 m when water was present. No water was encountered during the second survey

(Table 3.5). During both surveys, the mud/clay substrate and open channel made traversing the

stream channel very easy. Widths of the stream ranged from 3.5 m to 2.0 m with a typical average

width of 2.5 m during the first survey (Tables 3.8 and 3.9). There were no obstructions

encountered during either survey.

Figure 3.12 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou Site LC06 taken on July 1, 2015, the downstream



37


downstream view of the 300-m transect.

One deer was encountered during the second survey but no other animals, tracks, or feces were

observed during either survey (Tables 3.8 and 3.9). Aquatic vegetation was common and algae

was absent during both surveys. The water color, when present, was clear with no surface scum or

foam observed. Trash was only observed during the second survey and consisted of typical

plastics and bottles located primarily at the road crossing. No evidence of recreational activity was

found within the reach.

Observations and Interviews

Activities Observed

During each RUAA survey, field personnel visited sites during times of day and on days when

recreational activities were most likely to be observed. Five of the six sites were at public road

crossings; however, private property boundaries generally limited public access to small areas

around and underneath bridge crossings. The most downstream site (LC01) was located within a

WMA and was only publicly accessible by boat.

No form of recreation was directly observed by TIAER staff during either of the two surveys.

Utilizing a small boat to conduct both surveys, TIAER personnel were able to not only observe

conditions along the reaches of established sites but also the areas between sites from LC01 up to

LC05. Evidence of potential recreation was encountered at Site LC02, between Sites LC02 and

LC03, and between Sites LC03 and LC04.


38

At Site LC02 fishing tackle was observed underneath the bridge crossing on FM Road 3247. The

bar ditch alongside the road was mowed and maintained allowing for easy access to the bank of the

stream.

Between Sites LC02 and LC03 two plastic chairs and fishing tackle were observed along the bank

of the stream. The bank was mowed and appeared to be maintained as a private fishing spot. A

rope tied to a tree was observed and may have been used to lower a minnow trap into the stream;

however, the exact purpose was unknown. A couple of juglines were also observed beside the

chairs. Figure 3.14 shows the chairs, juglines, fishing tackle, and a rope tied to the tree.

As previously stated, during the second survey between Sites LC03 and LC04, the left bank had

been shredded and the mulch left along the banks. One resident took advantage and built a new

pier and fishing platform as shown in Figures 3.15 and 3.16. The pier and fishing platform were

not observed during the first survey and appeared to have been recently constructed. At another

location between these two sites, TIAER personnel observed some chairs and a boat on the bank at

the back of a landowner’s house (Figure 3.17). Due to the lack of vegetation, it appeared possible

to lower the boat down the bank into the stream.

Figure 3.14 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou between Site LC02 and Site LC03 taken on July

1, 2015 showing chairs and fishing tackle along the bank.


39

Figure 3.15 Photograph of Little Cypress Bayou between Site LC03 and Site LC04 taken on

August 14, 2015 showing recently constructed platform.


August 14, 2015 showing new platform with umbrella.


40


August 14, 2015 showing chairs and boat behind a residence.

Activities Interviewed

A total of 11 interviews were collected from landowners along Little Cypress Bayou as well as

others with interest in the watershed. The interviews indicated fishing and boating as the most

common recreational activities occurring throughout the creek, while swimming and wading were

noted at only one location from one interview (Table 3.10).

Swimming and wading were noted at Site LC02. An interview collected from a landowner at Site

LC02 stated that he had personally swam in the stream as a youngster, but that was well before

1975. He currently uses the stream for boating and fishing and has constructed a private boat ramp

on his property, which TIAER utilized to access the stream. He further stated that he had observed

people fishing at LC02 throughout the year on a weekly basis. He periodically had observed

young adults (high school age), swimming, wading, boating, and fishing in the area around the

bridge crossing and also downstream of the bridge at the railroad bridge crossing. He had on

occasion discouraged these young people from recreating in the water, but they typically ignored

his warnings about alligators and other submerged hazards.

Interviews collected from landowners at sites LC01 and LC04 stated that the stream was primarily

used by locals for fishing and boating. Some hunting was also noted but not as frequent. Many of

the interviews stated that most of the recreation occurred from LC04 downstream to the confluence

with the Sabine River. Two interviewees stated to have not personally used, seen others use, or

heard of others using the stream for any form of recreation.


41

Activities are listed in Table 3.10 as the number of times personal use, observed use, and/or heard

of use was documented from interviews for a given location or the whole assessment unit. Blank

cells in Table 3.10 indicate no interviewed feedback for that location. An * in Table 3.10 indicates

recreation reported from an interview for another location.

Table 3.10 Summary of recreational activities noted in interviews for Little Cypress Bayou.

Site Name

Number

of

Interviews

Swimming Adult

Wading

Children

Wading Hunt Fish

Boat ,

Canoe,

Kayak

LC01 * * *

LC02 3 0,1,0 0,1,0 * 1,3,2 1,1,1

LC03 1 0,0,1 1,1,1 1,1,1

LC04 * *

LC05

LC06

General

AU 7 2,1,3 5,5,5 5,5,5

Totals 11 0,1,0 0,1,0 2,1,4 7,9,8 7,7,7

* indicates recreation reported from an interview for another location.

Summary

RUAA surveys were conducted at six sites along Little Cypress Bayou (0501B) on July 1, 2015

and August 13-14, 2015. Temperatures were above 21ºC (70ºF) during the 30 days prior to each

survey (Tables 3.2 and 3.3). Stream flow was considered normal to slightly high during both

surveys based on information provided by local residents. The Palmer Drought Severity Index

(PDSI) indicated moderately wet conditions during both July and August 2015 (TWDB, 2015).

No recreational activities were observed by TIAER field staff during either survey. One private

boat ramp was observed at Site LC02. No characteristics, such as boat docks, parks, playgrounds,

biking trails, campgrounds, or sports fields, were encountered at any of the survey sites; however,

because TIAER personnel boated the entire length of the water body from Site LC01 to Site LC05,

staff did observe fishing platforms, chairs, fishing tackle, and a boat at locations between the

survey sites. These observances would indicate that local residents do utilize the stream for

recreation, mainly fishing and boating.

Interviews indicated fishing and boating as the most common recreational activities occurring

within the stream, primarily from Site LC04 to the confluence with the Sabine River. Swimming

and wading were noted at one site (LC02) from one landowner interview. Public access to the

stream is limited primarily to the right-of-ways immediately surrounding bridge crossings or areas

immediately up and down stream of culvert crossings, typically ranging from 3 to 10 meters.

Public access to Site LC01 (located within the WMA) was only available by boat.

Recreational activities observed and reported in interviews are summarized in Figure 3.18. Overall

RUAA findings are summarized in the form below.


42

Figure 3.18 Summary of observed and interviewed human activities on Little Cypress Bayou.


43

RUAA Summary

(Not part of the Field Data Sheet)

This form should be filled out after RUAA data collection is completed. Use the Contact Information

Form, Field Data Sheets from all sites, Historical Information Review, and other relevant information to

answer the following questions on the water body.

Name of water body: Little Cypress Bayou

Segment No. of Nearest Downstream Segment No.: 0501B

Classified?: No

County: Orange

1. Observations on Use

a. Do primary contact recreation activities occur on the water body?

☐frequently ☒seldom ☐not observed or reported ☐unknown

b. Do secondary contact recreation 1 activities occur on the water body?

☒frequently ☐seldom ☐not observed or reported ☐unknown

c. Do secondary contact recreation 2 activities occur on the water body?

☒frequently ☐seldom ☐not observed or reported ☐unknown

d. Do noncontact recreation activities occur on the water body?

☐frequently ☐seldom ☒not observed or reported ☐unknown

2. Physical Characteristics of Water Body

a. What is the average thalweg depth? 1.4 meters

b. Are there substantial pools deeper than 1 meter? ☒Yes ☐No

c. What is the general level of public access?

☐easy ☐moderate ☒very limited

3. Hydrological Conditions of site visits (Based on Palmer Drought Severity Index)

☐Mild-Extreme Drought

☐Incipient dry spell

☐Near Normal

☒Incipient wet spell

☐Mild-Extreme Wet

Recreational Use Attainability Analysis for Little Cypress Bayou References

44

References

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Griffith, G., S. Bryce, J. Omernik, and A. Rogers. 2007. Ecoregions of Texas. Project report to the

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Austin, Texas (AS-199, 12/07).

NOAA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2015. National Climatic Data Center,

Available at https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/ (link verified November 4, 2015)

TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. 2014. Recreational Use-Attainability

Analyses (RUAAs) - Procedures for a Comprehensive RUAA and a Basic RUAA Survey.

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