Trinity Bay Project 



Anthony Lnglis 



Trinity Bay During January the laboratory commenced a study of Trinity 



Bay, the portion of Galveston Bay receiving the discharge of the Trinity 

 River, for the Albuquerque Regional Office of River Basin Studies. The pro- 

 posed water development plans contemplate a large share of the Trinity River 

 flow being transferred to the Houston area where it will enter Galveston Bay 

 through the San Jacinto River, possibly affecting the hydrographic and bio- 

 logical conditions in upper Galveston Bay. 



During January, 12 sta- 

 tions were set up in Trinity Bay, 

 located along three grid lines ori- 

 ented with the long axis of the bay, 

 running from the area near the 

 mouth of Trinity River to a line 

 from Houston Point to Smith Point. 

 Four stations along each grid line 

 roughly divide the bay into four seg- 

 ments designed to cut across the sa- 

 linity gradient which normally oc- 

 curs during the summer months. 

 Sampling at each station includes 

 salinity, temperature, and turbid- 

 ity measurennents -- both top and 

 bottom -- as well as surface Sec- 

 chi disc readings and a trawl haul 

 for biological specimens. 



Due to inclement weather 

 (high winds), oxily four field trips 

 were made in February and March. 

 These, and the April trips, were 

 made in a chartered inboard vessel 

 since our 1 6-foot outboard boat 

 proved to be inadequate under the 

 prevailing weather conditions. A- 

 bout mid-April we obtained a 17- 

 foot cabin cruiser, powered with two 40 h. p. outboard engines. With a few 

 modifications, this boat has proven suitable and is being used for regular 

 weekly trips in Trinity Bay. 



Trinity Bay sampling stations. 



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