Field-based monitoring of sediment runoff from natural gas well sites in Denton County,Texas, USA |
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| Authors: | H F L Williams D L Havens K E Banks D J Wachal |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Geography, University of North Texas, P.O. Box 305279, Denton, TX 76203, USA;(2) 3520-G Victorine Lane, Del Valle, TX 78617, USA;(3) Division of Environmental Quality, City of Denton, 901-A Texas Street, Denton, TX 76209, USA;(4) Institute of Applied Sciences, University of North Texas, P.O. Box 305279, Denton, TX 76203, USA |
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| Abstract: | This study evaluates sediment runoff from gas well development sites in Denton County, Texas. The magnitude of sediment runoff
was investigated by intercepting sediment in traps and weirs at the periphery of each gas well site and by measuring the growth
of debris lobes that formed down slope from two sites. Four debris lobes formed at one gas well site and one formed at a second
site. Debris lobes ranged in size from 30 to 306 square meters. Sediment from one site entered local creek channels, either
as a component of storm water runoff or, in one case, as a debris lobe that flowed into a channel. The study findings suggest
that sediment movement is significantly diminished once areas disturbed by gas well construction become naturally re-vegetated.
Based on estimates of debris lobe volumes, sediment loading rates of about 54 metric tonnes per hectare per year were calculated
for one site. It is concluded that gas well development sites in areas similar to those studied, especially where vegetation
has been removed and terrain has relatively steep slopes (greater than 6%), generate sediment runoff comparable to small construction
sites and should therefore be considered for regulations requiring erosion and sediment control measures. |
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| Keywords: | Gas well Land disturbance Storm runoff Erosion Sediment |
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