1995 



1996 



1997 



2000 



Figure 5-3: Salinity at all benthic stations (A through F) for each sampling date. 



began (/>., higher salinity concentrations in the delta 

 than in the bay). Early in the study period, the upper 

 Rincon Bayou site often exhibited higher salinity values 

 than did the central Rincon Bayou site, but later in the 

 demonstration period, this relationship reversed 

 (Figure 5-4). Also, a comparison between the 

 reference site and the upper Rincon Bayou site indicate 

 the influence of freshwater diversions on the later. 

 Before diversions began {i.e., October 1996), the 

 reference site (which is subject to runoff from rainfall 

 northwest of Highway 77) was predominandy fresher 

 than either of the two treatment sites in Rincon Bayou. 

 Beginning with the inflow occurrence of fall 1996 

 (Event 12 through 14), the upper Rincon Bayou 

 reference site was predominandy fresher than the 

 reference site (Figure 5-4). 



Temperature 



Temperature rose in summer to 33 to 40 °C and 

 dropped in winter to about 12 °C following an 

 expected seasonal pattern. Generally, Stations E and F 

 had the highest temperatures, and Stations A and B 

 had the lowest. Although absolute differences in water 

 temperature among stations were quite small, the 

 differences are likely due to differences in water depth 

 because greater volumes of water change temperature 

 more slowly. There was considerable variation in 

 station differences between years. Overall, 

 temperature differences among stations were not 

 sufficient to cause differences in benthic responses. 



Chapter Five ♦ 5-7 



