The literature is reviewed on water quality and water-related natural resources of the Rio Grande between Falcon Dam and the Gulf of Mexico, the geographical area 100 km either side of this river reach, and the Gulf of Mexico within a 100 km radius of the mouth of the Rio Grande. Water bodies examined include the Arroyo Colorado, resacas, the Lower Laguna Madre of Texas, and the Laguna Madre de Tamaulipas.

The purpose of the literature survey is to identify information relevant to freshwater and pollutant discharges from the Rio Grande and Arroyo Colorado and the potential and known impacts of these discharges within the project area, identify those areas where there is an absence or paucity of data, and make recommendations for future studies and planning efforts.

The focus of this report is on (1) freshwater inflows, (2) toxic substances, (3) non-point pollution, (4) pollutant dispersal patterns, (5) areas of known and potential sinks, (6) known and potential impacts of hazardous wastes on flora and fauna, (7) known and potential impacts of nutrient loading on flora and fauna, and (8) habitat changes, status, and trends in aquatic resources, and (9) identities and status of endangered and threatened species within the project area.

The review is current to 1 March 1994. A print and a computer accessible, annotated bibliography is separately published in association with this report: Water-related Natural Resources of the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

This report may be viewed and printed (for educational purposes only) using Adobe Acrobat software. Once Adobe Acrobat has been installed, click here to download the Literature Review (LitRev.pdf -- 238k)