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The Coastal Streams Basin (see figure) covers an area of about 1,650 square miles. Unlike most of the other basins in Mississippi, the streams and creeks do not all flow into a single main stream within the basin. Instead, most of the streams discharge directly into the Gulf of Mexico. Some of the larger streams in the basin include Bayou la Croix, Tuxachanie Creek, and the Tchoutacabouffa, Biloxi, Little Biloxi, Wolf, and Jourdan Rivers. Headwaters for these streams generally are in the northern part of the basin, and the streams discharge into either St. Louis Bay or the Back Bay of Biloxi. Elevations in the Coastal Streams Basin range from sea level to almost 420 feet (0 to 128 meters) above sea level. Much of the basin consists of gently rolling to hilly terrain. Silviculture and agriculture are principal uses of the basin. About 74 percent of the basin is forested, and about 12 percent is agricultural land. Most industries are located near the larger population centers.  The flow of the Wolf River near Landon averages 4,975 gallons per second. However, in the past flow has been as low as about 277 gallons per second and as high as about 183,000 gallons per second. Flow of the Biloxi River near Wortham averages 1,504 gallons per second. Past flow at this site has been as low as only 9 gallons per second and as high as about 101,000 gallons per second. Use of surface water in the Coastal Streams Basin is relatively large. About 300,000 gallons per day are used for irrigation, about 400,000 gallons per day are used for livestock, and about 20 million gallons per day are used for industry. Most of the streams in the basin are shallow and have clear water. Overall, most streams in the basin are rated as good to excellent in terms of water quality. Near the coast, however, the water quality is rated as fair to good due to many point and nonpoint sources of contamination near the coastal population centers. |