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Clear Fork
of the Trinity River
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Counties: Parker,
Tarrant
Parameter: Dissolved oxygen
River Basin: Trinity
Segments: 0831, 0832
Background
and Goals
This project focuses on the water quality and standards issues
associated with the two uppermost riverine segments of the Clear
Fork Trinity River: Clear Fork Trinity above Lake Weatherford
(Segment 0833) and Clear Fork Trinity below Lake Weatherford
(Segment 0831). Both watersheds are predominantly rural; however,
rapidly increasing urban populations are changing the landscape of
this watershed.
Water quality testing indicated that concentrations of dissolved
oxygen in those segments of the river were not optimal for
supporting aquatic life. However, data and information about the
river suggested that the water quality standards for the segments
might not be appropriate. When the water quality standards were
developed, some criteria for evaluating attainability of the uses
in specific water bodies were presumed if there were insufficient
data to formulate site-specific criteria. A presumed standard was
used for the aquatic life use in the upper segments of the Clear
Fork Trinity River.
Consequently, the TMDL Program initiated a project to examine
the causes of low dissolved oxygen in the stream and to evaluate
whether the agency should develop a total maximum daily load (TMDL)
or a use attainability analysis (UAA). A TMDL determines the amount
(or load) of a pollutant that a body of water can receive and still
support its designated uses. This allowable load is allocated among
all the potential sources of pollution within the watershed. A UAA
determines whether the existing standards are appropriate for the
river. Depending on the results, of a UAA, the aquatic life use
standard and criteria may be modified.
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Public
Participation
This project was a collaborative effort involving the TCEQ, the
Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research, the Trinity
River Authority, and the Tarrant Regional Water District. To
involve area stakeholders in the project, the TMDL Program worked
with an existing stakeholder forum, the Trinity River Basin
Steering Committee created by the Texas Clean Rivers Program. The
steering committee is made up of representatives from state and
federal agencies, cities, industries, citizen groups, local
governments, universities, water districts, agriculture groups, and
other water user groups.
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Project Status
The project manager submitted a final report, Technical Use
Attainability Analysis, Clear Fork Trinity River (Stream Segments
0831 and 0833) in April 2003. The report is being reviewed by
staff of the TCEQ’s Water Quality Standards program to
determine if a use attainability analysis is warranted. For
information about the status of the UAA, contact Charles Bayer at
512/239-3449.
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Project Documents
These documents are provided as PDF files. (Help with
PDF)
Final Report:
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For More Information
For technical information regarding the project, please call
Dania Drogolewicz at 512/239-3449. Or e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.state.tx.us, and
reference the Clear Fork Trinity River project in the subject
line.
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