TR-538 Streamflow and Water Quality Properties in the Thompsons Creek Watershed in the Vicinity of Bryan/College Station, 2020–2022
Authors: Duncan Kikoyo, Stephanie DeVilleneuve, Michael Schramm, and Lucas Gregory
Texas Water Resources Institute, in cooperation with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, measured continuous streamflow from March 2020 to March 2021 and collected discrete streamflow and water quality data from January 2020 to March 2022 in the Thompsons Creek watershed. The project’s goal was to collect data and information vital for improving the understanding the hydrology (streamflow and water quality) of Thompsons Creek and its tributaries, and identifying the presence or absence of impairments.
Continuous flow data measurements were made at surface water quality monitoring stations 16396 and 16397 on Thompsons Creek and station 16882 on Still Creek. Measured continuous data was used to develop discharge-stage rating relationships, which were then used to develop long-term daily streamflow data at the three stations. The derived long-term daily streamflow data was then used for estimation of flows at three additional unmonitored stations (17378 on Still Creek and 17597 and 17598 on Cottonwood Branch) using the drainage-area ratio method. Discrete streamflow and water quality parameters (temperature, transparency, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen concentration, and E. coli loads) were also measured at the above six stations monthly.
This report describes the study area, sample collection, and processing methods for streamflow and water quality data from six sites located in the Thompsons Creek watershed. The data and methods presented in this report support analyses of the relations among water quality impairment status and causes and basin hydrology in the watershed.