Lower Laguna Madre
Quick look at Lower Laguna Madre Health
The Lower Laguna Madre is Unique
The Laguna Madre is one of only five hypersaline lagoons in the world. It is characterized by abundant seagrass and good water quality, and is renowned for its recreational fishing. South Padre Island is a popular tourist destination, with great beaches, excellent wind sport and fishing conditions, birdwatching, and other ecotourism opportunities.
The area is home to the Port of Harlingen and the Port of Brownsville. The Port of Brownsville consists of 40,000 acres and is the largest landowning port authority in the U.S., housing the largest U.S. fabricator of off-shore oil drilling platforms.
Lower Laguna Madre Ecosystem Health
Water
Balanced levels of nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, support life in our bays. In the Lower Laguna Madre, nutrient conditions are generally good. There are occasional periods of increased algae growth related to high nutrients flowing into the lagoon from the Arroyo Colorado
The amount and timing of freshwater inflow to estuaries helps regulate salinity and nutrient supply. The Lower Laguna Madre is not quickly flushed out and can be especially affected by extreme flows. There have been more frequent low flow events to the lagoon than in the past, which can lead to salinity extremes that are stressful to marine life.
The Texas Beach Watch program measures harmful bacteria in the water at recreational beaches to protect human health. Bacteria levels are good in the Lower Laguna Madre, but high levels of bacteria have been observed at locations not monitored by Texas Beach Watch.
Priority Action
- Expand routine water quality monitoring to proactively detect potential impacts of population growth.
- Implement Valley-wide pollution controls to sustain a healthy ecosystem.
Water Measurement Findings
Habitat
Coastal habitats provide feeding grounds and shelter for fish, birds, crabs, sea turtles, and shrimp. They protect the coast from damaging waves and erosion and store carbon.
The Lower Laguna Madre region has experienced net wetland loss since 2001, but data on the main stressors are limited. Seagrass coverage did not change much between 2011 and 2018. However, changing seagrass species distribution and density are evidence that their health may be in decline.
Priority Action
- Initiate routine monitoring to understand how habitats are changing with climate change, sea level rise, and coastal development.
Habitat Measurement Findings
Wildlife
Colonial waterbirds are iconic species that gather in dense colonies to nest on small islands throughout the Lower Laguna Madre. Habitat conservation and restoration in the region are supporting healthy populations of herons, terns, and Black Skimmers. Some species, like the Reddish Egret and Roseate Spoonbill, are showing up in fewer numbers than they have in the past.
Black Drum, Redfish, and Spotted Seatrout have recovered from historic lows to support a vibrant recreational fishing industry in the region. Shrimp are still within acceptable levels, but populations should be closely monitored to ensure continued sustainability. Populations of Southern Flounder, Atlantic Croaker, and Blue Crab are in decline.
Priority Action
- Build capacity for more intensive nesting surveys.
- Assess fishing and environmental pressures to support sustainable management strategies.
- Restore and protect coastal habitats, like wetlands and seagrasses, to maintain fisheries.
Assessed waterbird species: Black Skimmer, Great Egret, Reddish Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, Tricolored Heron, Great Blue Heron, Brown Pelican, Caspian Tern, Forster’s Tern
Wildlife Findings
Assessed finfish species: Spotted Seatrout, Black Drum, Red Drum, Atlantic Croaker, Southern Flounder
Community
Coastal communities affect and are affected by the environment and the natural resources that define ways of life. Healthy bays support healthy communities.
Tourism and recreation is the main contributor to the economy of the Lower Laguna Madre. In 2021, tourism and recreation activities in Cameron and Willacy Counties generated more than $240 million. Ocean economies in the region have grown more slowly than the Texas coast average. However, tourism is expected to grow in the coming years, increasing pressure on the natural environment.
Community resilience is the ability to adapt to environmental changes and recover from disasters. Approximately 36% of residents in Cameron County and 40% in Willacy County have 3 or more risk factors that make them more vulnerable, compared to the US average of about 22%.
Priority Action
- Support organizations like the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership that strive to balance increasing economic activity with ecosystem conservation to ensure balanced growth.
- Secure funding for establishing the Lower Laguna Madre Estuary Program
- Promote actions to improve equity, investments in resources for vulnerable populations, and proactive disaster planning.
- Increase understanding of the links between community vulnerability and ecosystem health.
Community Measurement Findings
Risk factors include income to poverty ratio, single or no caregiver, crowding, communication barrier, unemployment, disability, no health insurance, age 65+, no vehicle access, no internet access.
Conservation Success Stories
Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership
Bahia Grande Wetlands
Partner Organizations
