Investigating the causes of reduced dissolved oxygen concentrations in Kickapoo Creek, TX.

Excessive organic matter and nutrients can depress dissolved oxygen concentration (DOC) in streams. The aim of this study was to understand the depressed DOC of Kickapoo Creek in Texas, USA, which is an impaired stream; identify the possible sources causing the depressed DOC and elevated Escherichia coli levels; and identify possible remedial measures. Monthly grab water quality data was monitored for nine stations in the watershed. For three of the nine stations, 24-h DOC was also monitored for a comparison with the minimum and average DOC criteria. Correlational, graphical, spatial, and temporal analyses were carried out for DOC concentration with other water quality variables which have the potential to depress DOC in the stream. The correlational analyses show a weak to moderate correlation for DOC with nutrient and oxygen-demanding substance concentrations present in the stream. However, there are spatial and temporal trends in DOC data that can be attributed to the nutrient influx into the stream. A pattern of increasing nutrient concentrations from upstream to downstream partially explains the decreasing dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations observed towards the lower reaches. Visual interpretations of riparian vegetation and sediment influx also support the spatial patterns in DO concentrations. The majority of the depressed DOC occurs in the summer months when streamflow is at a minimum. The depressed DOC during summer is partially explained by the increasing daily temperatures for the summer months as revealed by the trend analysis of the daily temperature data from 1981 to 2020 using the modified Mann-Kendall test, Pettitt test, and Sen's slope.