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Biological Science in Oklahoma and Texas

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By Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center April 25, 2018

The USGS Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center (OTWSC) provides policy makers, public agencies, non-governmental organizations, and stakeholders with baseline data and interpretations on the occurrence and distribution of instream and riparian-zone biological resources; assesses the status and trends of instream and riparian-zone biological resources in relation to differences in channel habitat, instream flow, and water quality; and uses predictive modeling to develop an understanding of the effects of changes to stream ecosystems. Visit the links below for more information on our data and science.

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE CAPABILITIES

OTWSC has expertise in a wide variety of biological science applications, including, but not limited to: 

  • Fish, benthic Invertebrate, and Algal Community Surveys
  • Mussel Surveys and Fish Host Determinations
  • Contaminant Pathways in Aquatic Biota
  • Microbial Source Tracking
  • Reservoir Plankton Dynamics
  • River Mapping and Stream Habitat Assessment
  • Biotic Response to Nutrients in Streams
  • Environmental Flows Assessment
  • Use Attainability Analysis (UAA)
  • Biological Database Design and Development
  • Invasive Species Monitoring

 

CURRENT BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE

Media
Electrofishing in the Frio River, Texas
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Electrofishing in the Frio River, Texas.(Public domain.)

 

Harmful/Invasive species monitoring

Cyanobacteria Methods

Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program (ZMMP)

 

Water-Quality Monitoring

National Water-Quality Assessment Project in Texas  - Surface Water Activities

Water-Quality Monitoring at Offshore Artificial Reefs


 

Projects related to biological studies are listed below.

Publications related to biological studies are listed below.

USGS Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program for north Texas USGS Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program for north Texas

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program for north Texas provides early detection and monitoring of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) by using a holistic suite of detection methods. The program is designed to assess zebra mussel occurrence, distribution, and densities in north Texas waters by using four approaches: (1) SCUBA diving, (2) water-sample collection...
Authors
Christopher J. Churchill, Stanley Baldys
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Relations between hydrology, water quality, and taste-and-odor causing organisms and compounds in Lake Houston, Texas, April 2006-September 2008 Relations between hydrology, water quality, and taste-and-odor causing organisms and compounds in Lake Houston, Texas, April 2006-September 2008

Lake Houston is a surface-water-supply reservoir and an important recreational resource for the city of Houston, Texas. Growing concerns over water quality in Lake Houston prompted a detailed assessment of water quality in the reservoir. The assessment focused on water-quality constituents that affect the aesthetic quality of drinking water. The hydrologic and water-quality conditions...
Authors
Amy M. Beussink, Jennifer L. Graham
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Central Plains Water Science Center

Monitoring indicators of harmful cyanobacteria in Texas Monitoring indicators of harmful cyanobacteria in Texas

Harmful algal blooms can occur when certain types of microscopic algae grow quickly in water, forming visible patches that might harm the health of the environment, plants, or animals. In freshwater, species of Cyanobacteria (also known as bluegreen algae) are the dominant group of harmful, bloom-forming algae. When Cyanobacteria form a harmful algal bloom, potential impairments include...
Authors
Richard L. Kiesling, Robin H. Gary, Marcus O. Gary
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

The USGS Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center (OTWSC) provides policy makers, public agencies, non-governmental organizations, and stakeholders with baseline data and interpretations on the occurrence and distribution of instream and riparian-zone biological resources; assesses the status and trends of instream and riparian-zone biological resources in relation to differences in channel habitat, instream flow, and water quality; and uses predictive modeling to develop an understanding of the effects of changes to stream ecosystems. Visit the links below for more information on our data and science.

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE CAPABILITIES

OTWSC has expertise in a wide variety of biological science applications, including, but not limited to: 

  • Fish, benthic Invertebrate, and Algal Community Surveys
  • Mussel Surveys and Fish Host Determinations
  • Contaminant Pathways in Aquatic Biota
  • Microbial Source Tracking
  • Reservoir Plankton Dynamics
  • River Mapping and Stream Habitat Assessment
  • Biotic Response to Nutrients in Streams
  • Environmental Flows Assessment
  • Use Attainability Analysis (UAA)
  • Biological Database Design and Development
  • Invasive Species Monitoring

 

CURRENT BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE

Media
Electrofishing in the Frio River, Texas
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Electrofishing in the Frio River, Texas.(Public domain.)

 

Harmful/Invasive species monitoring

Cyanobacteria Methods

Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program (ZMMP)

 

Water-Quality Monitoring

National Water-Quality Assessment Project in Texas  - Surface Water Activities

Water-Quality Monitoring at Offshore Artificial Reefs


 

Projects related to biological studies are listed below.

Publications related to biological studies are listed below.

USGS Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program for north Texas USGS Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program for north Texas

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program for north Texas provides early detection and monitoring of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) by using a holistic suite of detection methods. The program is designed to assess zebra mussel occurrence, distribution, and densities in north Texas waters by using four approaches: (1) SCUBA diving, (2) water-sample collection...
Authors
Christopher J. Churchill, Stanley Baldys
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Relations between hydrology, water quality, and taste-and-odor causing organisms and compounds in Lake Houston, Texas, April 2006-September 2008 Relations between hydrology, water quality, and taste-and-odor causing organisms and compounds in Lake Houston, Texas, April 2006-September 2008

Lake Houston is a surface-water-supply reservoir and an important recreational resource for the city of Houston, Texas. Growing concerns over water quality in Lake Houston prompted a detailed assessment of water quality in the reservoir. The assessment focused on water-quality constituents that affect the aesthetic quality of drinking water. The hydrologic and water-quality conditions...
Authors
Amy M. Beussink, Jennifer L. Graham
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Central Plains Water Science Center

Monitoring indicators of harmful cyanobacteria in Texas Monitoring indicators of harmful cyanobacteria in Texas

Harmful algal blooms can occur when certain types of microscopic algae grow quickly in water, forming visible patches that might harm the health of the environment, plants, or animals. In freshwater, species of Cyanobacteria (also known as bluegreen algae) are the dominant group of harmful, bloom-forming algae. When Cyanobacteria form a harmful algal bloom, potential impairments include...
Authors
Richard L. Kiesling, Robin H. Gary, Marcus O. Gary
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center
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