Meghan Hodges
Lake Houston is a shallow reservoir on the San Jacinto River, located about 25 miles northeast of Houston, Texas. It is a major source of public water supply for the Houston metropolitan area, providing drinking water for about 85% of the city's population. Over the years, there have been growing concerns about the water quality in Lake Houston, with issues such as nutrient enrichment, high levels of turbidity, and the presence of trash and debris in the lake's canals. Real-time continuous data is collected at multiple gages in the watershed to monitor various parameters, including water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. Studies have also been conducted to assess historical trends in hydrophobic contaminants and sediment quality. While Texas has come under scrutiny for its emission of toxic substances into waterways, the City of Houston is committed to ensuring that its drinking water sources remain uncontaminated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 25 miles northeast of Houston, Texas |
| Type | Shallow reservoir on the San Jacinto River |
| Watershed | 97% of the watershed is made up of two arms that split from the upper end of the lake |
| Western Arm Tributaries | West Fork San Jacinto River, Spring Creek, and Cypress Creek |
| Eastern Tributaries | East Fork San Jacinto River, Peach Creek, Caney Creek, and Luce Bayou |
| Drainage Area | 2,835 square miles |
| Water Quality Issues | Nutrient enrichment, trash and debris, hydrophobic contaminants, sediment quality, toxic substances |
| Water Quality Monitoring | Real-time continuous data collected at 31 gages, including water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity |
| Water Treatment | The City of Houston is responsible for ensuring drinking water is not contaminated |
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What You'll Learn
Lake Houston's water quality
Lake Houston, a shallow reservoir on the San Jacinto River, is a primary source of drinking water for Houston and its surrounding areas in Texas. It was constructed by the City of Houston in 1954 and has a maximum capacity of 146,700 acre-feet and a surface area of 19.1 square miles. The lake is also an important recreational resource for the Houston metropolitan area.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the City of Houston, has implemented a continuous water-quality monitoring network to track daily changes in the lake's water. Real-time data is collected at 31 gages in the Lake Houston watershed, measuring parameters such as water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. This data assists water treatment facility operators in making informed decisions when adjusting treatment methods.
Despite these efforts, water-quality issues persist. In 2022, it was reported that the canals behind homes along Lake Houston were packed with trash and debris, causing a nuisance for residents and potentially impacting water quality. Additionally, Texas is currently the nation's biggest emitter of toxic substances into streams, rivers, and lakes, with industrial discharges into waterways on the rise. While permits include limits on certain pollutants, the effectiveness of enforcement and the low penalties for violations contribute to ongoing water quality challenges.
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Trash and debris in the lake's canals
Lake Houston is a shallow reservoir on the San Jacinto River, located about 25 miles northeast of Houston, Texas. The lake was constructed in 1954 and has a surface area of 19.1 square miles. While the lake is owned by the City of Houston, it is operated and maintained by the Coastal Water Authority (CWA).
Over the years, the canals and tributaries of Lake Houston have become increasingly filled with trash and debris, creating an eyesore and a source of frustration for nearby residents. Residents have reported finding various items in the water, including tires, oil cans, patio furniture, and trash. The buildup of trash and debris not only affects the aesthetics of the area but also impacts the ability of residents to enjoy the lake for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities.
The responsibility for removing trash and debris from Lake Houston's canals and tributaries falls on the abutting property owners, their HOAs, or the City of Houston's 3-1-1 Help and Information Service. However, determining who is responsible for cleaning a particular area can be challenging, as some of the canals are privately owned, requiring written consent from the private property owners for debris removal.
In 2019, efforts were made to address the issue of trash and debris in Lake Houston. Mayor Pro-Team Dave Martin of City Council District E successfully proposed the creation of the "Lake Houston Maintenance Fund." This fund is intended to utilize permitting fees from lake-adjacent construction to finance regular clean-up and dredging of the lake and its canals. However, as of 2022, there is no timeline for when the fund will be sufficient to purchase the necessary equipment for a comprehensive clean-up.
The accumulation of trash and debris in Lake Houston's canals is a complex issue involving multiple stakeholders and requiring coordinated efforts for effective management. While the establishment of the "Lake Houston Maintenance Fund" is a positive step toward improving the situation, it is essential to continue exploring solutions and taking proactive measures to maintain the lake's ecological integrity and ensure the well-being of the surrounding communities.
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The lake's watershed and tributaries
Lake Houston is a shallow reservoir on the San Jacinto River, located about 25 miles northeast of Houston, Texas. The lake was constructed by the City of Houston in 1954 and has a maximum capacity of 146,700 acre-feet and a surface area of 19.1 square miles. The upper end of the lake divides into two arms, with the western arm receiving inflow from the West Fork San Jacinto River, Spring Creek, and Cypress Creek, and the eastern arm receiving water from the East Fork San Jacinto River, Peach Creek, Caney Creek, and Luce Bayou. Together, these tributaries contribute to the lake's drainage area of 2,835 square miles.
The lake's watershed is primarily influenced by the land use and land cover of the surrounding areas. The western arm of the lake, including the West Fork San Jacinto River, Spring Creek, and Cypress Creek, drains about 61% to 63% of the watershed. This area includes a mix of urban and rural landscapes, with potential sources of pollution from agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and urban development. The eastern arm of the lake, including the East Fork San Jacinto River, Peach Creek, Caney Creek, and Luce Bayou, drains about 33% to 34% of the watershed. This area is predominantly forest land, with a lower population density and potentially different pollution sources compared to the western arm.
The City of Houston and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have implemented several measures to monitor and improve the water quality of Lake Houston. Real-time continuous data is collected at multiple gages in the watershed, including information on water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. These data are essential for understanding the health of the lake and its tributaries and for making informed decisions regarding water treatment and environmental management. Additionally, the City of Houston has established the "Lake Houston Maintenance Fund," which uses permitting fees to fund regular clean-up and dredging efforts to remove trash and debris from the lake and its canals.
Overall, the lakes watershed and tributaries of Lake Houston play a crucial role in the region's ecology and water supply. The complex interplay between natural processes and human activities in the surrounding areas influences the water quality and ecological health of the lake. Continuous monitoring, scientific studies, and collaborative efforts between the City of Houston and organizations like the USGS are vital to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by this important water resource.
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Water-quality monitoring and management
Lake Houston, a shallow reservoir on the San Jacinto River, is a primary source of drinking water for Houston and its surrounding areas in Texas. The lake is also an important recreational resource for the city.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been actively monitoring the water quality of Lake Houston. In cooperation with the City of Houston, the USGS developed a continuous water-quality monitoring network to track daily changes in water quality. Real-time continuous data is collected at 31 gages in the Lake Houston watershed, including water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. This data is augmented and verified with discrete samples collected throughout the watershed.
To assess long-term water quality trends, the USGS and the City of Houston conducted a study using age-dated sediment cores from the lake. Sediments that accumulate over time create a partial historical record of water quality, containing a chemical signature of human activities in the watershed. By analyzing these sediment cores, scientists can determine the concentrations of hydrophobic contaminants and track changes over time.
Water treatment facility operators use the real-time data provided by the USGS to adjust their treatment methods in response to changing environmental conditions. This helps ensure that the drinking water supplied to Houston remains safe and uncontaminated.
However, there have been concerns raised about the pollution and trash buildup in the canals surrounding Lake Houston. Residents in the Crosby area have struggled to find a solution, as responsibility for cleaning these canals is unclear and consent from multiple private property owners is required for any cleanup efforts. To address this issue, the City Council created the "Lake Houston Maintenance Fund," which aims to use permitting fees to fund regular clean-up and dredging of the lake and canals.
While Lake Houston's water quality is closely monitored and managed, Texas faces broader challenges regarding water pollution. Texas is currently the nation's biggest emitter of toxic substances into streams, rivers, and lakes, with industrial discharges and agricultural runoff contributing to the problem. To address these issues, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) oversees programs for safe and effective management of pollutants, including permitting, water monitoring, and compliance enforcement.
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Texas's toxic emissions into lakes
Texas has been ranked as the number one state in the US for toxic discharges into streams, rivers, and lakes. This is due to the state's lax regulatory environment, which makes it easy for industrial projects to obtain permits for polluting facilities and difficult to be fined for violations. Texas's waterways are open for business, allowing large volumes of discarded chemicals and industrial discharge to be sent downstream and out to sea.
One example of toxic emissions into lakes in Texas is the case of Lake Houston, a shallow reservoir on the San Jacinto River, located about 25 miles northeast of Houston. A study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the City of Houston analysed the historical trends in the concentrations of hydrophobic contaminants in the lake's watershed using sediment cores. The results indicated that urban growth is affecting sediment quality in the lake, with increases in PAH concentrations suggesting that Lake Houston is not immune to the impacts of urban development.
Additionally, meat and poultry plants have been identified as major polluters in Texas, discharging millions of pounds of dissolved solids, nitrogen, and phosphorus into waterways. This has led to harmful algal blooms and excessive nutrients in the water, causing a lack of oxygen and harming aquatic life. One of the major polluters, as deemed by the EPA, is a Tyson Farms facility located in Shelby, which disposed of primarily nitrate compounds. Pilgrim's Pride in Mount Pleasant, northeast Texas, was also found to have polluted Tankersley Creek with about 1.7 million pounds of nitrate compounds, affecting nearby ecosystems and Lake O' the Pines.
Furthermore, two Valero refineries near Galveston Bay in Houston and another in Texas City were identified as the second and third top polluters in Texas. These refineries collectively accounted for 3.2 million pounds of water pollution, including hydrogen cyanide, acrylonitrile, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) oversees programs to ensure the safe management of pollutants that may enter Texas surface waters. However, water pollution permit notices posted by the TCEQ often lack details on the specific toxic components, making it difficult for citizens to know exactly what industrial polluters are releasing into nearby waterways.
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Frequently asked questions
Lake Houston is a primary source of drinking water for Houston and surrounding areas. While the sediments in Lake Houston are relatively clean compared to most urban lakes, there are growing concerns over water quality. The City of Houston is responsible for ensuring that the drinking water is not contaminated.
The U.S. Geological Survey has developed a continuous water-quality monitoring network to track daily changes in water quality. Real-time continuous data is collected at several gages in the Lake Houston watershed, including water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity.
The sources of pollution in Lake Houston include urban growth and human activities in the watershed. Additionally, there have been reports of trash and debris in the canals behind homes along the lake, which has been a challenge to clean up due to private ownership of some canals.
Water pollution in Lake Houston can have negative effects on the surrounding ecosystem, including the plants and animals that depend on the lake. Additionally, contaminants in the lake can potentially impact the drinking water supply for nearby communities.
