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Fast Facts
Environmental Creek Assessments
Photo Gallery |
| Fast Facts |
| Population |
2000: 1,653
2030: 2,521 |
| Creek Length |
1 miles |
| Drainage Area |
1 square
miles |
| Drains To |
Lake Austin |
| Well Known Sites |
Reed Park,
Casis Elementary School |
| Land Use |
Residential
Business
Civic
Parks
Roadways
Undeveloped |
51%
1%
26%
3%
14%
3% |
Watershed Facts
- The lower end of Taylor Slough South creek
runs through Reed Park in West Austin and has a hiking trail
leading to Lake Austin.
- 99% of the Taylor Slough South Creek watershed
passes through the environmentally sensitive Northern Edwards
Aquifer Recharge Zone where water travels through caves and
sinkholes to “recharge” the aquifer.
- A surprising amount of groundwater
discharging through springs from the aquifer provides regular
water flow to Taylor Slough South.
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| Creek
Assessments
Environmental
| Index |
Score |
Category |
Notes |
| Overall
Score |
57 |
Fair |
Taylor Slough (South)
ranks 33 out of 46 watersheds in overall quality |
Water
Chemistry |
55
|
Fair
|
Water quality is average,
nitrate is high, conductivity is high, orthophosphorus is
high |
Sediment
Quality |
66 |
Good
|
PAHs are high, herbicides/pesticides
are very low, metals are very low |
| Recreation |
55 |
Fair |
During dry weather conditions,
bacteria is usually not a threat |
| Aesthetics |
80 |
Very
Good |
Litter is not a problem,
no odor, water is slightly cloudy, some of the creek bed is
dry |
| Habitat |
46 |
Marginal
|
Increased sediment deposition,
cover is insufficient, some channel alteration |
| Aquatic
Life |
37 |
Poor |
Benthic macroinvertebrate
community is fair, diatom community is fair |
- Absence of pollution-intolerant diatom species
suggests water quality may be impacting aquatic life; silt and
sedimentation may be impacting diatom community.
- Elevated levels of PAH may be harmful to
aquatic life.
- High nutrient levels may be result of leaking
wastewater lines and residential fertilizer application.
- Taylor Slough South is listed on the State
303(d) List of Impaired Waterbodies for elevated bacteria.
- Taylor Slough South is listed on the State
Water Quality Inventory as being of concern for nitrate/nitrite
enrichment.
- Staff research indicates the source
of high PAH levels may be from parking lot sealants.
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More
How to Help
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| Photo Gallery |
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| Taylor Slough South Creek at Reed Park
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