Current Projects

Baseline Research Studies in Support of Validation or Refinement of the Adopted Texas Commission Environmental Quality Environmental Flow Standards for the Brazos River Estuary
This project expands on previous research conducted by EIH in the Brazos River Estuary near Freeport. The new project expands the monitoring to the Nearshore Gulf of Mexico, and adds suspended sediment monitoring.

Baseline Study of Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) Population Viability in Texas Watersheds
Trapping surveys are conducted on a seasonal basis in order to evaluate spatial and seasonal trends in M. temminckii populations in Texas.

Critical Life History Parameters of the Texas Diamond-backed Terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin littoralis
EIH continues to build upon previous research on the population and distribution of the Texas diamond-backed terrapin in the upper Texas coast.

Design, Construction, and Analysis of Floating Wetlands
EIH researchers will build and analyze floating treatment wetland systems as an additional technology approach to reduce stormwater pollutant loads.

Distribution and Habitat Associations of the Western Chicken Turtle in Texas
For this study, researchers utilize traditional and novel sampling techniques focused in areas where WCT have been previously observed, and will be employed at sites representative of all habitat types within the species’ range.

Foraging Ecology of Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Galveston Bay, Texas
This research contributes to the basic life history knowledge of the Galveston Bay dolphin population such as key foraging habitats used by the dolphins and proportions of different prey consumed.

Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program
The objectives of this project are to implement a monitoring program for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Galveston Bay, Texas; to determine relative abundance within the upper Galveston Bay Estuary and Houston Ship Channel; and to characterize residency patterns, habitat use and ranging patterns of these dolphins.

National Lakes Assessment
The NLA is a survey of the condition of our nation's lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. It is designed to provide statistically valid national and regional estimates of the condition of lakes. NLA field season sampling is conducted every five years.

Texas Clean Rivers Program
The goal of the CRP is to maintain and improve the quality of water resources within each river basin in Texas through an ongoing partnership involving TCEQ, river authorities, local and state governments, industry, citizens and other agencies. EIH conducts routine ambient monitoring at 55 CRP sites in the Houston-Galveston area.

Utilizing Eel Ramps, eDNA, and Plankton Sampling to Monitor American Eel Recruitment in Texas
EIH researchers are constructing and deploying 10 to 12 eel ramps specially designed to target ingressing glass eels and elvers along the central to upper Texas Coast.