APPENDIX G 



Field Notes and Observations 

 from Benthic Sampling Trips: 

 October 1994 - December 1999 



In eady October 1994 Paul Montagna, Rick KaUce, Teny Whitledge, Dean Stockwell and Ken Dunton met with 

 Mike Irlbeck at Rincon Bayou to discuss station locations. The road and the pasture to Stations A & B were 

 very wet and the water level was near the top of the culverts and flowing from A to B. The secondary diversion 

 channel was not finished but a ditch cut through the road in its place restricting travel. 



SAMPLING DATES 



28 Oct. 94. First benthic sampling trip. Salinity was low from previous inflow event, Rt^ppia was noted in the 

 reference sites A & B. High D. O. at A & B associated with the Ruppia. Roads were muddy. 



Note: Rsference sites A<&B don't appear to he affected by daify tidal movement as an sites. C, D, E and F in Rincon Bayou. 



11 Jan 95. Benthic samples. Low tides at stations in Rincon Bayou. SaUnity normal, no signs of increase with 

 low water. 



12 Apt. 95. Benthic samples. Salinity normal. Ruppia very short and sparse at A & B. We used push-net at 

 Station C for isotope samples. Lot of mysids, grass shrimp, and some brown shrimp. Water level up with 

 spring high tides. 



12 July 95. Benthic samples. Summer low tides, hot dry conditions with high evaporation. Road and pond at 

 Stations A & B covered with white pelicans. Ibis, Stilts and mottled ducks. Lot of terns s kimmin g surface. 

 Low oxygen levels. Some dead Cjrprinodon variegatas and a few blue crabs along shoreline. Some live crabs 

 along shore at air/water interface, fish appear to be gulping for air, and numerous corixids (water boatmen) at 

 A & B. Salinities high at all stations. Water levels down in Rincon Bayou at Stations C, D, E and F. Dead crab 

 and Cyprinodon at Stations C & D. Station E, mud wet but no standing water. Approximately 40 yards out 

 water 0.01 m deep , dug hole for hydros, cores from wet mud. Saw a live Laeoneneis culveri on surface of mud. 

 80.5%o pore water and same on surface water. Salt crystals on svirface of adjacent algae flat Station F, sure is 

 hot, water low 15-20 ft. from shoreline. Station G (Railroad Trestle) salinity was 43.5%o. 



3 Oct 95. Benthic samples. Water level was high due to Hurricane Opal in Gulf of Mexico. Tidal flushing 

 lowered salinities. Stations A & B water level up, oxygen OK, salinity down a littie. Stations C, D, E & F 

 flushed from high tides. Isotope sample from Station G. 



31 Oct. 95. Exploratory trip. Dean Stockwell and Rick Kalke. Nueces River Diversion Channel just 

 completed. On 29 Oct. 95 Corpus Christi received 3"^ highest record rainfall, 10+ inches over-night. We were 

 able to motor with the jet boat from Nueces River to C-5 the culvert between the river and Station C. Mike 

 Irlbeck had hiked in from the road and we gave him a ride out. Salinity at the culvert was 0.57%o. We drove to 

 Stations A & B by vehicle. High water due to run-off and tides. Surface water was flowing from B to A 

 because of the wind and the salinity was 10.16%o. Large mats of blue -green algae were on the surface and along 

 the shore. Took slides. Roads too wet to go to other stations. 



13 Dec. 95. Isotope samples from the mouth of Rincon Bayou (L=50, C, F, H = 68). 



Appendix G ♦ G-1 



