Changes in Bay Shoreline Position, West Bay System, Texas

This report presents long-term rates of shoreline change along the bay shorelines of the West Bay system of the Galveston Bay system (Fig. 1). In addition to West Bay, the smaller secondary bays of Drum, Christmas, Bastrop, Chocolate, Jones, and Halls Lake are included in this report. The successive positions of historical shorelines are combined in a linear regression model that provides the average annual rate of shoreline change. Based on previous years, therefore, these rates indicate how the shoreline is expected to advance seaward or retreat landward during the next several decades, making this information useful for coastal planning. The Bureau of Economic Geology is currently updating shoreline change rates for most of the Texas coast under the Texas Shoreline Change Project. All data, including what is presented in this report, are being placed in a web-based Geographic Information System (ArcIMS) on the Bureau's Texas Shoreline Change Project website. The public can use this website to create custom maps and download data.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Physical and Environmental Assessment of Sand Resources Sabine and Heald Banks Second Phase 1994-1995

Sand deposits on the continental shelf of the western Gulf of Mexico are potential sources of fill material to nourish recreational beaches in Texas. Demand for beach nourishment sand is increasing as the combined effects of relative sea-level rise and reduced sediment supply cause rapid erosion and accelerated loss of recreational beaches. Particularly promising for leasing and commercialization in the near term are offshore deposits of sand that form shoals on the inner continental shelf. Preliminary geological and engineering analyses indicate that these sand deposits are suitable for beach replenishment because sediment textures of the shoals are generally compatible with those of native beach sand. Also, offshore sand extraction may be economically feasible if onshore or nearshore sources of beach-quality sand are volumetrically limited. In Texas, Sabine and Heald Banks are two offshore sand deposits that have the greatest economic potential for near-term exploitation because they are suitable for beach replenishment, the largest sand deposits located offshore of some of the most rapidly eroding developed shores, relatively close to potential markets in both southeastern Texas and western Louisiana, and relatively close to major ports that can support offshore mining activities. A prior geological investigation demonstrated that large volumes of sand-rich sediments are associated with Sabine Bank and Heald Bank (Morton and Gibeaut, 1993). The total volume of sandy sediments, estimated at more than 1.8 billion m³, constitutes a large hard-mineral resource. Most of that material would be suitable for beach replenishment and other construction activities that can use well-sorted fine sand with some shell and some sediments finer than sand. The previous study also showed that the offshore sand deposits are located in water depths ranging from 4.5 m to about 16 m and the greatest thicknesses of beach-quality sand generally coincide with the shallowest water depths. The second phase of this study was directed principally toward assessing the quality and volume of Sabine and Heald Bank sediments. To accomplish this, the banks were cored, sediment textures and mineralogy were determined, and sand volumes were estimated using bathymetry and lithologic information. Geographic locations and attributes of all the pertinent offshore data sources were incorporated into ARC/INFO, a widely used Geographic Information System (GIS). An additional task of the second phase evaluated the potential environmental impact of mining the sand deposits by examining the potential changes in wave refraction patterns if large volumes of sand were removed from Sabine and Heald Banks. Another task analyzed the wave heights and wind patterns near the Banks to estimate the maximum number of working days for shallow-draft dredges working in the Gulf, and we also conducted a preliminary investigation of dredging costs based on experience with the 1995 Galveston Beach replenishment project and two other beach nourishment projects planned for the western Gulf of Mexico.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Texas High School Coastal Monitoring Program: 2006-2007

The Texas Coastal Monitoring Program engages people who live along the Texas coast in the study of their natural environment. High school students, teachers, and scientists work together to gain a better understanding of dune and beach dynamics there. Scientists from The University of Texas at Austin (UT) provide the tools and training needed for scientific investigation. Students and teachers learn how to measure the topography, map the vegetation line and shoreline, and observe weather and wave conditions. By participating in an actual research project, the students obtain an enhanced science education. Public awareness of coastal processes and the Texas Coastal Management Program is heightened through this program. The students' efforts also provide coastal communities with valuable data on their changing shoreline. This report describes the program and our experiences during the 2006-2007 academic year. During this time, Ball High School on Galveston Island completed its tenth year in the program, and Port Aransas and Port Isabel High Schools completed their eighth year (Fig. 1). All three high schools are continuing the program during the 2007-2008 academic year. Through a collaboration with the Lower Colorado River Authority, the program has expanded to an additional three schools in the Bay City, Texas, region. Discussions of the data collected by the students and recommendations for future high school projects are also included in this report. A manual with detailed field procedures, field forms, classroom exercises, and teaching materials was prepared during the first year of the project at Ball High School in 1997-1998. The manual was updated with the addition of the Bay City region schools in 2005.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Texas High School Coastal Monitoring Program: Ball, Port Aransas and Port Isabel High Schools, 2002/2003 - Final Report

The Texas Coastal Monitoring Program engages people who live along the coast in the study of their natural environment. High school students, teachers, and scientists work together to gain a better understanding of dune and beach dynamics on the Texas coast. Scientists from The University of Texas at Austin (UT) provide the tools and training needed for scientific investigation. Students and teachers learn how to measure the topography, map the vegetation line and shoreline, and observe weather and wave conditions. By participating in an actual research project, the students obtain an enhanced science education. Public awareness of coastal processes and the Texas Coastal Management Program is heightened through this program. The students' efforts also provide coastal communities with valuable data on their changing shoreline. This report describes the program and our experiences during the 2002-2003 academic year. During this time, Ball High School on Galveston Island completed its fifth year in the program, and Port Aransas and Port Isabel High Schools completed their third year (Fig. 1). All three high schools are continuing the program during the 2003-2004 academic year. Discussions of the data collected by the students and recommendations for future high school projects are also included in this report. A manual with detailed field procedures, field forms, classroom exercises, and teaching materials was prepared during the first year of the project at Ball High School in 1996-1997 and revised during subsequent years.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Texas High School Coastal Monitoring Program: Ball, Port Aransas, and Port Isabel High Schools, 2005-2006

The Texas Coastal Monitoring Program engages people who live along the Texas coast in the study of their natural environment. High school students, teachers, and scientists work together to gain a better understanding of dune and beach dynamics there. Scientists from The University of Texas at Austin (UT) provide the tools and training needed for scientific investigation. Students and teachers learn how to measure the topography, map the vegetation line and shoreline, and observe weather and wave conditions. By participating in an actual research project, the students obtain an enhanced science education. Public awareness of coastal processes and the Texas Coastal Management Program is heightened through this program. The students' efforts also provide coastal communities with valuable data on their changing shoreline. This report describes the program and our experiences during the 2005–2006 academic year. During this time, Ball High School on Galveston Island completed its ninth year in the program, and Port Aransas and Port Isabel High Schools completed their seventh year (Fig. 1). All three high schools are continuing the program during the 2006–2007 academic year. The program has expanded to an additional three schools in the Bay City, Texas, region. Discussions of the data collected by the students and recommendations for future high school projects are also included in this report. A manual with detailed field procedures, field forms, classroom exercises, and teaching materials was prepared during the first year of the project at Ball High School in 1997–1998.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Physical and Environmental Assessment of Sand Resources - Texas Continental Shelf

A recent inventory of nonfuel minerals in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico demonstrated that potentially economic deposits of sand, gravel, and heavy minerals occur on the Texas continental shelf. Particularly promising for leasing and commercialization in the near term are deposits of sand that form shoals on the inner continental shelf. Preliminary analyses indicate that these sand deposits are suitable for beach replenishment because sediment textures of the shoals are generally compatible with those of native beach sand. Offshore sand extraction may become attractive economically if onshore sources of beach-quality sand are volumetrically limited. Offshore mining of sand could also reduce the degradation of wetlands caused by onshore mining activities. Demand for beach replenishment sand along the northwestern Gulf of Mexico is increasing as the combined effects of rising sea level and land subsidence are manifested as rapid beach erosion. In Texas, Sabine and Heald Banks are two offshore sand deposits that have the greatest economic potential for near-term exploitation because they are (1) suitable for beach replenishment, (2) the largest sand deposits located offshore of some of the most rapidly eroding developed shores, (3) relatively close to potential markets in both southeastern Texas and western Louisiana, and (4) relatively close to major ports that can support offshore mining activities.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Texas High School Coastal Monitoring Program: Ball, Port Aransas, and Port Isabel High Schools, 2000/2001

The Texas Coastal Monitoring Program engages people who live along the coast in the study of their natural environment. High school students, teachers, and scientists work together to gain a better understanding of dune and beach dynamics on the Texas coast. Scientists from The University of Texas at Austin (UT) provide the tools and training needed for scientific investigation. Students and teachers learn how to measure the topography, map the vegetation line and shoreline, and observe weather and wave conditions. By participating in an actual research project, the students obtain an enhanced science education. Public awareness of coastal processes and the Texas Coastal Management Program is heightened through this program. The students' efforts also provide coastal communities with valuable data on their changing shoreline. This report describes the program and our experiences during the 2000/2001 academic year. During this time, Ball High School on Galveston Island completed its fourth year in the program and Port Aransas and Port Isabel High Schools completed their second year (Fig. 1). All three high schools are continuing the program during the 2001/2002 academic year. Discussions of the data collected by the students and recommendations for future high school projects are also included in this report. A manual with detailed field procedures, field forms, classroom exercises, and teaching materials was prepared during the first year of the project at Ball High School in 1996/1997 and revised during subsequent years. The program is also enhanced by a continuously updated website.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Summary Report for the 2003-2004 STATEMAP Project: Geologic Mapping to Support Improved Database Development and Understanding of Urban Corridors, Critical Aquifers and Special Areas of Environmental Concern in Texas

This Texas STATEMAP project involves geologic mapping of areas where improved geologic information can assist the management and use of land and water resources. Work during the past year focused on new geologic mapping within two project study areas (fig. 1): (1) Hill Country Trinity aquifer near Kerrville and Bandera, Central Texas, and (2) Christmas Point quadrangle-San Luis Pass area, Texas Gulf of Mexico coast. The geologic maps produced by this project will aid professionals and the public in making informed decisions regarding land use, aquifer management, and environmental protection for urban-growth corridors in Texas. Maps of the project 1 Hill Country Trinity aquifer area will be used to make decisions regarding aquifer management and modeling, land use, and environmental protection for Central Texas; a region where population growth is causing greater demands for the use of water and Earth resources. The map produced for project 2 involves a Texas Gulf of Mexico coast area near San Luis Pass, the Christmas Point quadrangle. Mapping Holocene and Pleistocene environmental geologic units associated with coastal depositional environments within this important tidal-folet area of the Texas Gulf Coast will support crucial activities such as evaluating historic changes of coastal depositional environments, addressing erosion issues, educating the public, and establishing a framework for conducting studies and presenting data for the management of other Texas inlets. Deliverables produced for this 2003-2004 contract year are (1) project 1: 10 open-file geologic quadrangle maps (1:24,000) of the Hill Country Trinity aquifer near Kerrville and Bandera, Central Texas, and (2) project 2: open-file geologic quadrangle map (1:24,000) of the Christmas Point quadrangle-San Luis Pass area, Texas Gulf Coast. Methods used for the projects included standard field techniques, study of aerial photographs, and review of previous work. Mapping of the Christmas Point quadrangle also involved digital photography and mapping techniques. Existing regional geologic maps that encompass project 1, Hill Country Trinity aquifer area near Kerrville and Bandera, are the 1:250,000-scale Llano sheet (Barnes, 1981) and San Antonio sheet (Brown and others, 1974). A regional map, scale 1:250,000, of Edwards Group strata was constructed by Rose (1972) during his investigation of Edwards strata. Regional maps that cover project 2, Christmas Point quadrangle-San Luis Pass area, include the 1:125,000-scale Environmental Geologic Atlas of the Texas Coastal Zone-Galveston-Houston Sheet (Fisher and others, 1972) and the 1:125,000-scale map of Submerged Lands of Texas, Galveston-Houston Area (White and others, 1985).Bureau of Economic Geolog

Texas High School Coastal Monitoring Program: Ball, Port Aransas, and Port Isabel High Schools, 1999/2000

The Texas Coastal Monitoring Program engages people who live along the coast in the study of their natural environment. High school students, teachers, and scientists work together to gain a better understanding of dune and beach dynamics on the Texas coast. Scientists from The University of Texas at Austin (UT) provide the tools and training needed for scientific investigation. Students and teachers learn how to measure the topography, map the vegetation line and shoreline, and observe weather and wave conditions. By participating in an actual research project, the students obtain an enhanced science education. Public awareness of coastal processes and the Texas Coastal Management Program is heightened through this program. The students' efforts also provide coastal communities with valuable data on their changing shoreline. This report describes the program and our experiences during the 1999/2000 school year. During this time, Ball High School on Galveston Island completed its third year in the program and Port Aransas and Port Isabel High Schools completed their first year (Fig. 1). All three high schools are continuing the program during the 2000/2001 school year. Discussions of the data collected by the students and recommendations for future high school projects are also included in this report. A manual with detailed field procedures, field forms, classroom exercises, and teaching materials was prepared during the first year of the project at Ball High School in 1996/1997 and revised during subsequent years.Bureau of Economic Geolog