X
GO

Water School

Why are some lakes/rivers clearer than others?

There are a number of factors that may affect water clarity.  The chief factor in the clarity of lakes and rivers in Texas is sediment. The more sediment in a stream or body of water, the cloudier it appears. This factor can vary depending on geography and climate. Some areas naturally have more sediment drawn from the surrounding land, particularly agricultural areas, where soil is often broken up and exposed. Water tends to be cloudier during rainier seasons when runoff carries topsoil and other matter into lakes and streams.

Related

Share

Search
Categories

The information provided on this site is intended as background on water within the Brazos River basin. There should be no expectation that this information is all encompassing, complete or in any way examines every aspect of this very complex natural resource.

If you have questions about a post or would like additional information, please contact us or call 888-922-6272.

Tags
map employment impound emergency use basin oxygen meta tag surface water taste beneficial use water cycle pharmaceuticals tributary climate effluent clarity calcium flood planning riparian septic system flood control lake cfs wastewater storage watershed streamflow bay watercourse direct re-use lake level water subsidence district E coli appropriation water planning xeriscape authority riverine governance salinity spillway pollutants jobs sediment fertilizer septic hydrology hydropower drilling releases salt lake consumption sewage permit runoff corps reservoirs corps of engineers fork contract inundated golden algae wetlands medicine aquifer invasive plants maps river channel water rights lawn well rain algae landscaping estuary spring flood pool minerals habitat soil system groundwater water clarity chlorine gate ground water use stream agricultural subwatershed chlorides camping hydrologic cycle mission environment supply golden algea classification brackish boating fishing hunting aerobic turbidity bottled water canoeing smell indirect re-use speaker gage USGS rights possum kingdom evaporation mainstem hydrilla volume granbury farming precipitation main stem industry acre-foot acre-feet monitor biosolids infection subsidence drinking water marsh measure water code mgd electricity organic solids dock lakes electric companies water use industrial potable water quality legislation limestone quality water supply Board water plants streamflow reservoir wildlife lake levels environmental TCEQ municipal agriculture conservation sanitation gulf costs water treatment gas sludge treatment allens creek reservoir canoe kayak contaminants recreation wetland dissolved solids depth dam mitigation PAM drought parasite filter E. coli inland anaerobic fish kill bed and banks insurance