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Threatened Species






Photo courtesy of Nathan Bendik
 Back to Species of Interest

Threatened Species

The Brazos River Authority’s Environmental Services Department regularly monitors the status of different fish and wildlife species as a way of tracking the health of the Brazos River basin ecosystem.

There are different levels of protection that a species in danger may be placed under on a state and federal level. The state of Texas provides two levels of protection: threatened and endangered species listing. On the federal level, species can also be designated as threatened or endangered.

A plant or animal can be protected as threatened at both the state and federal levels at the same time. The level of protection provided by state and federal regulations is different, with federal laws providing stronger protections than the state level protections.

Threatened species are plants or animals that are likely to become endangered in the near future.

Determining the reason for an ecosystem imbalance that is causing the number of plants or animals in a species to decline allows allows natural resource agencies to develop a plan to correct the imbalance.

When the results of monitoring begin to show changes, state and federal resource agencies along with local stakeholders, work together to identify the cause and make improvements that can aid the continued health and quality of the basin’s water supply.

Maintaining a balance allows the planet to continue to provide clean air and water, a reliable food supply, and a positive economy.

When we work to save threatened species, we may just be saving ourselves.

Currently, threatened species known to occur in parts of the Brazos basin are:


Alligator Snapping Turtle

Alligator Snapping Turtle

Scientifically known as Macrochelys temminckii, alligator snapping turtles are found exclusively in the United States.

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Bracted Twistflower

Bracted Twistflower

The Bracted twistflower is an annual herbaceous plant and is considered threatened in the Brazos River basin.

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Brazos Heelsplitter

Brazos Heelsplitter

The Brazos Heelsplitter, Potamilus streckersoni, is a state-listed threatened species found predominantly in the mainstem of the Brazos River downstream of Waco.

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Brazos Water Snake

Brazos Water Snake

Named after the mighty Brazos River herself, the Nerodia harteri, more commonly known as the Brazos Water Snake, are a friendly resident of Texas rivers.

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Jollyville Plateau Salamander

Jollyville Plateau Salamander

The Eurycea tonkawae, more commonly known as the Jollyville Plateau Salamander, is one of four species of interest considered threatened in the Brazos River basin.

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Salado Creek Salamander

Salado Creek Salamander

The Eurycea chisholmensis, more commonly known as the Salado Salamander, is one species of interest considered threatened in the Brazos River basin.

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Click here to learn more about the endangered species and here to learn about the candidate species monitored by the BRA.