Project Tasks

Task 1: Basin Assessment

Objectives: The purpose of this task is to set a baseline assessment on the Pecos River basin with regards to stream channel morphology, riparian vegetation, land use, salinity mapping, water inflows and outflows, aquatic habitats, historical perspectives, and economic modeling. This phase of the project is absolutely critical to identifying and evaluating potential problems and solutions. Aspects will be reviewed from a historical perspective as well as current conditions. Six subtasks are identified and described.

Task 2: Educational Programming

Objectives: Texas AgriLife Extension Service will work with various state and local agencies to assemble a series of three written publications targeted at landowners, stakeholders and policymakers. These publications will consist of (1) A description of the historical progression of the Pecos River basin to its current condition, (2) A summary of the multi-disciplinary approach which will be employed to monitor the river and the basin, (3) A detailed summary of the watershed plan developed through the course of this project. Additionally, AgriLife Extension will work with various state and local agencies to organize, promote and conduct a series of educational meetings in each county within the Pecos River basin. The particular content of individual meetings will vary depending on the relationship between local landowners, operators and other interested parties and the Pecos River basin. An interactive internet website will also be created and maintained to provide the most current progress.

Task 3: Establish Monitoring Program

Objectives: To develop Data Quality Objectives (DQOs) and a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP), estimate the effect of salt concentration(s) in the Pecos River watershed through data collection and analysis and water use studies, and study fate of and influence of salvaged water. AgriLife Extension will work with various state and local agencies to implement a monitoring program to determine the extent of high salt levels in the Pecos River due to non-point sources (NPS). AgriLife Extension will collaborate with the United States International Boundary and Water Commission - Clean Rivers Program (USIBWC -CRP) as well as other local and state agencies to utilize and expand the current monitoring program in place. Findings from the data collection efforts in Task 3 will provide information necessary to develop best management practices (BMPs) and will form the basis of a watershed management plan for the Pecos River watershed in Texas. AgriLife Extension will produce a report describing the results of the monitoring effort and the locations of sources that are impacted by high salt in the Pecos River.

Task 4: Watershed Protection Plan

Task Leaders - Dr. Charles Hart, Will Hatler, Lucas Gregory

  • Subtask 4.1 - Final report of Basin Assessment, educational programming and monitoring. In addition, annual reports will be submitted to the TSSWCB by project PIs at the end of years one and two, with the final report submitted at the end of year three.
    Task Leader - Lucas Gregory
  • Subtask 4.2 - The subtask will produce the final Watershed Protection Plan for the Pecos River Segments 2312, 2311, and 2310 based on criteria set forth in the FY 04 guidelines. A draft plan will be completed within year two of the project and available for public comment at stakeholder meetings.
    Task Leader - Lucas Gregory