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Leona RiverRecreational Use Attainability Analysis Summary of Findings (Field Surveys, Historical Review & Interviews)

Texas Institute for Applied Environmental ResearchStephenville, Texas

January 24, 2013

•Lead Agency -Texas Soil & Water Conservation Board

•Support provided byNueces River Authority

Acknowledgements

• To confirm primary contact recreation or provide information that might support changing the recreational use category of the Leona River

Purpose of RUAA

• Field Surveys – to document current stream conditions and uses

• Historical Information Review – to document past recreational uses

• Interviews – to obtain feedback on current and past recreational uses of the Leona River

Components of a RUAA

• First RUAA Survey – May 22 – 26, 2012

• (Tuesday thru Saturday)

• Second RUAA Survey– July 17 – 21, 2013

• (Tuesday thru Saturday)

Field Survey Dates for Leona River

Field Surveys• 33 sites Total

9 sites in AU0111 sites in AU0213 sites in AU03

Field Surveys

• What they entail:– Transects

• 300 meter reach per site• 11 transects spaced 30 meters apart

– Document• Stream characteristics that may promote or

hinder recreational use• Observations of direct use or signs of

recreational use• Interviews with individuals

Field Surveys

• Review of documented historical recreational use of the Leona River– Looked primarily at:

• Printed materials • Websites

Historical Review

• Conducted with landowners and others knowledgeable of use of the Leona River– Characterize stream flow– Personal use & activities– Observed use & activities– Heard of use & activities

Interviews

RUAA Summary of Findings

• Print & Web Sources indicated – Some fishing from the bank noted in a

picture on the Edwards Aquifer website

• http://www.edwardsaquifer.net/leona.html

Historical Review Findings

• Print & Web Sources indicated – Wading by children learning about aquatic

insects noted in the Uvalde Leader-News

• http://www.uvaldeleadernews.com/news/image_04e24f26-3a36-564c-a0a0-b298eeb9a404.html

• Posted: Thursday, December 23, 2004 12:00 am

Historical Review Findings

• No recreation directly observed• Some limited signs of recreation

– Fishing bobbers & lures– Rope swing– Canoe & flat-bottom boat on the bank– Walkways to the river– Trash & backpacks (?)

Field Survey Findings

• Observed Stream Characteristics– Limited water in the river for recreation

• May – very low flow• July – dry in most locations

Field Survey Findings

• Observed Obstructions to recreation– Fallen trees– Brush piles– Dense vegetation within stream channel

and on the banks– Stream access only from private

property in many locations

Field Survey Findings

58 Total Interviews• AU01 – 8 interviews• AU02 – 22 interviews• AU03 – 22 interviews• General – 6 interviews

No individuals were seen recreating during the field surveys. All interviews were conducted at other times. Landowners along the Leona River were specifically contacted, while others were obtained from interested stakeholders. Findings are grouped by location along the Leona River where recreation from interviews was indicated.

Interview Findings

Summary of Interview Findings AU01

Site Swim

Wade

Hunt FishBoat

Canoe KayakAdult Children

AU01_01       1 1  AU01_02       1 1  AU01_03       1 1  AU01_04       1 1  AU01_05       1 1  AU01_06            AU01_07 2 2 2 1 2  AU01_08            AU01_09 1 1 1   1 1

General AU 1 1 1 1 3 1Totals 4 4 4 7 11 2

NE = not encountered

No recreation was observed during field surveys

Recreation indicated is from interviews

Summary of Interview Findings AU02

Site Swim

Wade

Hunt FishBoat

Canoe Kayak

Trap Tube Wash car Ski

Adult Children

AU02_01 1 1 1   1 1        

AU02_02       1            

AU02_03                    

AU02_04 1 1 1   1          

AU02_05 1 1 1   1 1        

AU02_06 1 1 1   1          

AU02_07                    

AU02_08                    

AU02_09                    

AU02_10 2 2 2   2 1        

AU02_11                    

General AU 10 9 8 8 14 10 7 1 3 1

Totals 16 15 14 9 20 13 7 1 3 1

NE = not encountered

No recreation was observed during field surveys

Recreation indicated is from interviews

Summary of Interview Findings AU03

Site Swim

Wade

Hunt FishBoat

Canoe Kayak

WalkAdult Children

AU03_01       1 1    AU03_02       1   1  AU03_03 1 1 1 1 1 1  AU03_04              AU03_05 1       1 1  AU03_06 2       4    AU03_07 2       4    AU03_08              AU03_09 3       3 1 1AU03_10              AU03_11              AU03_12       1      AU03_13       1      AU03_14       1      

Whole 2     3 11    Totals 11 1 1 9 25 4  

NE = not encountered

No recreation was observed during field surveys

Recreation indicated is from interviews

• Prepare draft report for public review and comments

• RUAA draft report will be available electronically from Nueces River Authority, TIAER or from the project website

http://www.leonariver.org/

Next Steps

Contact Information

Nikki JacksonEmail: njackson@tiaer.tarleton.eduOffice Phone: 254.968.1920

Jeff StroebelEmail: jstroeb@tiaer.tarleton.eduOffice Phone: 254.968.9556

Questions?

Thank You

Jeff StroebelTexas Institute for Applied Environmental Research

jstroeb@tiaer.tarleton.edu254.968.9556