Monitoring of Nonpoint Source Pollutants and Sediments at the Ray Roberts Reservoir Wetland Complex, Texas

The fluctuation zone of reservoirs (that area between flood and conservation pool) provides lake managers an opportunity to develop water quality and wildlife enhancement projects on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) lands. In 1991 the U.S. Army District, Fort Worth, embarked upon a large- scale wetland construction project intended to create 70 ha of wetlands along Range Creek, a major tributary into Ray Roberts Lake, Texas. The wetlands were intended to provide wildlife habitat, primarily feeding and resting areas for migratory waterfowl. There was also the possibility that the wetlands could function to improve the quality of water routed through them by removing suspended solids and other nonpoint source pollutants. Construction of the wetlands was completed in November of 1992. Five dikes were constructed to form six wetland areas encompassing a total area of 70 ha. The wetlands range in size from less than 2 to greater than 20 ha. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) assumed the role of wet-land managers and is operating the wetlands to maximize waterfowl use by implementing moist soil management practices (Fredrickson and Taylor 1982) at the project. The Fort Worth District was interested in promoting research at the site, as long as it did not interfere with the operation of the wetlands by the TPWD.