City of McAllen Stormwater Regional Detention Facilities Project

The Arroyo Colorado flows through Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy Counties in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and eventually empties into the Laguna Madre. The Arroyo Colorado Above Tidal (Segment 2202) is impaired for high bacteria levels and pollutants within fish tissue samples. In response to the water quality impairments, the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership was formed, and a Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) was completed in 2007. The WPP describes the measures proposed for implementation between 2007 and 2015.

 

For this project, TAMUK will implement a portion of the WPP by improving the performance of Regional Storm Water Detention Facilities (RSDFs) and fostering Low Impact Development (LID) practices. RSDFs are a primary storm water control feature in the area, but they provide minimal control of nutrients and other pollutants in storm water. This project will develop and test several enhancements of existing RSDFs to determine their performance in the Lower Rio Grande Valley’s hot and dry climate. These enhancements include rock filters, microscreens, and wetlands adapted and managed to function through intense heat and drought. Each RSDF will be monitored to determine the effectiveness of its enhancements in controlling pollutant loads as storm water passes through it.

Please open the link below for the McAllen RDF informational Fact Sheet.

McAllen RDF Fact Sheet Dec 2011.pdf

Texas A&M-Kingsville Environmental faculty, staff and students working with vegetation at Morris RDF wetland in McAllen.

 

Hidalgo County and Cameron County Low Impact Development Projects

LID is a comprehensive approach to site planning, de-sign, and pollution prevention strategies that, when combined, create a more economically sustainable and ecologically functional landscape. LID works with nature to manage storm water as close to its source as possible. This approach treats storm water as a re-source, rather than a waste product, and integrates hydrologic and water quality functions into all aspects of the urban landscape and infrastructure.

Please open the link below for an LID informational Fact Sheet.

Fact_Sheet_TAMUK_ArroyoLID 12.20.11.pdf