go to chapters:
1. Overview
2. Study Area Description
3. Geomorphology and Sediment Cones
4. Environmental Resources
5.Problems and Opportunities
6. Recommendations
7. References
8. Appendices


Chapter 1-Overview 
1.0 Introduction 
1.1  Study Area 
1.2  Study Authority
1.3  Feasibility Study
1.4  Local Sponsor's Support
1.5  Planning Goals, Objectives and Constraints
1.6  Existing Studies

1.0 Introduction  The Forgotten River Reach of the Rio Grande, Fort Quitman to Presidio, Texas 729 Study (the Study) is being conducted in response to concerns by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) related to floodplain and riverine function, environmental resources, water quality, agriculture, and watershed hydrology.  The Study presents an opportunity for local, state and Federal agencies to work together in developing solutions to manage the varied resources of the Forgotten River Reach of the Rio Grande, and will produce mapping of the study area, reporting of the existing environmental and hydrologic conditions, and possible alternatives regarding these issues for the greater public interest. 

The Study is not a project implementation or decision document.  The level of detail in investigations is at a scale adequate for making resource assessments and recommendations.  If specific projects are identified for potential implementation under existing authorities of the Corps of Engineers (Corps) (for example, Flood Damage Reduction or Ecosystem Restoration), separate interim reports will be required covering specific project features that include a detailed engineering appendix and appropriate NEPA documentation.

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1.1 Study Area The Rio Grande in the study reach follows a sinuous channel for a distance of 198.8 miles between a point about 13 miles downstream from Fort Quitman, Hudspeth County , and a point near Haciendita Ranch, about 6 miles upstream from Presidio, Presidio County  The straight line distance through the reach is 117 miles. The Forgotten River Reach of the Rio Grande is located near the northeastern edge of the Mexican Highlands section of the Basin and Range Physiographic province.  The canyon segments have steep to mildly sloping walls. The soils in the Rio Grande floodplain in Hudspeth County are of the Harkey-Glendale association of deep, nearly level, calcareous, loamy soil. The soils are used for irrigated cropland, pastures, and orchards.  Prior to the advent of intensive irrigation and to construction of the Rio Grande Project, the Rio Grande below El Paso generally experienced biannual seasonal flows.  (More information regarding the Rio Grande Project can be found in Chapter 5.)  Presently, surging spring runoffs from snowmelt in the upper Rio Grande Basin, Rio Chama Basin, Sangre De Cristo Mountains Basin, Jemez Basin, and the flash flood swells in summer months have been impounded, impeded, and controlled.  There are 101 arroyos that provide flash flood runoff into Rio Grande in the Forgotten River Reach, which originate in the bordering mountains on the U.S. (57) and Mexican (44) sides and which deliver large quantities of heavy sediments into the river channel, and because of its flatter gradients, much of the sediment deposits into the channel.
 
As a study, the associated report is not intended to be a decision document.  That is, it is not intended to recommend, or serve as the basis for authorizing, a specific project.  The primary goal is to develop the study from a regional perspective in which the Sponsor, the TCEQ, can identify and “spin off” projects under other authorities to address flood damage reduction, erosion control, sedimentation, and ecosystem restoration.  The projects considered in this report are not limited to Corps authorities.  However, the only projects that can be spun off for implementation by the Corps are those that fall under existing Corps authorities.  Other projects may be identified that can be implemented by other Federal or state agencies that do not fall under Corps authorities.  The end result of this study is an existing conditions and recommendations report to the TCEQ, and a map book showing the Forgotten River Reach and its characteristics; i.e. sediment cones, tributaries, vegetation, river channel, etc.

 

FIGURE 1 - Map showing area of the Forgotten River

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1.2 Study Authority  Section 729 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986, as amended, provided the Corps with the authority to address management issues in the Forgotten River Reach of the Rio Grande Basin, Texas.  Under this authority the Albuquerque District prepared an expedited reconnaissance report in accordance with Section 905(b) of WRDA 1986.  The study was conducted to review and assess past and current activities and resource trends within the Forgotten River Reach.  The purpose of the reconnaissance study was to determine if a Federal interest existed for investing public resources in a more detailed feasibility Study of the watershed.  Issue areas investigated included land use, topography, geology, sedimentation, hydrology, flooding, water supply, biological habitat, cultural resources, regulatory issues and physical change. 

The reconnaissance Study phase was completed in May 2005, resulting in the identification of Federal interest in further cost-shared feasibility level studies.  In addition, the reconnaissance Study identified other alternatives including multi-purpose opportunities that could be developed within existing policy.  The reconnaissance Study recommended that the “Forgotten River Reach of the Rio Grande Basin, Fort Quitman to Presidio, Texas study proceed into the feasibility phase to develop  comprehensive watershed management recommendations for the Forgotten River Reach of the Rio Grande.”

Sponsor involvement workshops were held during the reconnaissance Study where concerns were identified by the TCEQ.  Their concerns include:

  •      Improve riverine ecosystem function.
  •      Stabilize river geomorphology.
  •      Reduce nutrient loading to improve water quality.
  •      Increase bio-diversity of the riverine ecosystem.
  •      Improve international boundary delineation and improve security of border with Mexico.
  •      Reduce the loss of lands for agriculture and ranching within the study area

    Major tasks and activities for the study include:
  •     Define and evaluate existing conditions in the Forgotten River Reach of the Rio Grade Basin.  This was accomplished through limited hydrologic and geomorphologic studies and environmental studies.
  •    Attempt to identify and prioritize demonstration projects, both structural and non-structural, which address environmental restoration and water quality improvements.


1.3 Feasibility Study  The purpose of the Forgotten River Reach of the Rio Grande Fort Quitman to Presidio, Texas study is to develop various alternatives to address ecosystem degradation within the Forgotten River Reach of the Rio Grande.  Currently, there is no long-term plan for sustainable management of this reach of the Rio Grande.  This must be developed in order to preserve and enhance ecosystem resources that are complimentary to overall watershed management.

The Study will ultimately develop an existing conditions and possible alternatives report to the TCEQ.  Aspects of this report may include the recommendation of specific projects for detailed implementation studies and will serve as a framework for future watershed management decisions by the sponsor and other local, state and Federal agencies.  A range of watershed management alternatives will be formulated that address ecosystem restoration, groundwater recharge, and erosion control.  The formulation of alternatives will be based upon the assessment of historic, existing, and future without-project conditions, technical evaluations, and the planning objectives.  Alternatives may include watershed-wide management practices and policies to be implemented by local, state, Federal and international agencies as well as specific projects for potential participation by the Corps and other agencies. 

1.4 Local Sponsor's Support  During the reconnaissance phase of this study, the TCEQ participated in various coordination activities.  They expressed an interest and willingness to participate in the cost-shared feasibility study with the goals of developing an existing conditions and possible alternatives report and identifying potential water quality and environmental restoration opportunities.

1.5 Watershed Planning Goals, Objectives and Constraints

1.5.1 Planning Goals  The overall goal of the Forgotten River Reach of the Rio Grande, Fort Quitmanto Presidio, Texas 729 Study is to develop an existing conditions and possible alternatives report to the TCEQ that may include recommendations of specific projects for detailed implementation studies and will serve as a framework for future watershed management decisions by the sponsor and other local, state and Federal agencies.

1.5.2  Planning Objectives   Key planning objectives of the feasibility study were developed with input by the Project Delivery Team, the local sponsor and participating stakeholders and include the following:

  • Increase the ability to manage the watershed holistically, by understanding the potential impacts of actions on a regional and  watershed perspective;
  • Increase the ability to manage the watershed holistically, by understanding the potential impacts of actions on a regional and watershed perspective;
  • Formulate possible future ecosystem restoration efforts by evaluating the hydrology and sediment movement within the Forgotten River Reach of the Rio Grande basin and its tributaries;
  • Restore the Forgotten River Reach of the Rio Grande to a healthy and functioning riparian ecosystem by
  • Restoring a cottonwood, willow, mesquite system
  • Reduce the presence of exotic/invasive species;
  •  Revegetation with native plant species
  •   Reestablish the ecology throughout the ForgottenRiver system
  •   Identify data gaps
  •  Increase channel capacity
  •  Increase water delivery capacity downstream of the Forgotten River Reach
  •  Educate the public on watershed-related issues; and
  •   Identify / evaluate flood risk


1.5.3 Planning Constraints   Planning constraints are restrictions that may limit the planning process.  General types of constraints that were considered for this study were resources (knowledge, expertise, experience, ability, public opinion, data, information, time, natural resources, and funding), and legal and policy restraints (those defined by law, governmental policy and guidance).  For example :

  • The Rio Grande has elaborate water management schemes up and downstream of the Forgotten River Reach, but none for this area
  • No or low water flows in the Rio Grande
         o    Just enough for healthy stands of salt cedar
         o    Sediments fall out or aren’t moved
  •   Question: Who legally owns the water that flows through the Forgotten River Reach?
  • Size of the Study Area
  •  98% of lands on the American side are privately owned
        o Would need a Non-Governmental Organization or governmental agency to act as the sponsor for Corps projects
                    + Ex. Soil and Water Conservation Districts, WWF, Trans-Pecos Water Trust, etc.
  • 2% of lands on the American side are owned by the state of Texas
  •  Access to the river, floodplains and tributaries on both sides of the river
  • The salt cedar and tributaries on the Mexican side of the river
          o Would need support from the Mexican government for any projects regarding ecosystem restoration
  •  Border security
  • Off-channel wetland ponds and their associated wildlife species
  •  Impaired water quality
           o Soil salinity
  •  Conveyance
           o Water that goes into the system doesn’t come out from water losses
                    + Evaporation
                    + Infiltration
                    + Salt cedar
                    + Livestock watering
  •  Clogged river channels and flood plains from salt cedar and the loss of native vegetation
  • Sediment aggradation caused by isolated precipitation events in the tributary watersheds
  • Dearth of sponsors / funds for projects
  • Dearth of legislative support for projects in this area
  • Dearth of economic benefits
  • May not have support for aerial application of herbicides from landowners

1.6 Existing Studies  Several studies have been conducted pertaining to water and related land resources within the study area.  These studies have examined themes including environmental resources, water supply, groundwater recharge, flooding and erosion, geology, cultural resources, and history.  The listing is not intended to be a comprehensive list of previous reports, but rather provides a sample of types of studies that have been completed in the study area.  See References.

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    go to chapters:
1. Overview
2. Study Area Description
3. Geomorphology and Sediment Cones
4. Environmental Resources
5.Problems and Opportunities
6. Recommendations
7. References
8. Appendices