Counties: Bell, Burnet,
Williamson
Parameter: Dissolved oxygen
Basin: Brazos River
Segments: 1217A, 1243
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North Fork
of Rocky Creek
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Background and Goals
In Rocky Creek and Salado Creek in the middle Brazos River
Basin, water quality testing indicated that low dissolved oxygen
levels were not optimal for supporting a healthy aquatic community.
Both watersheds are wholly or partially located in the Edwards
Plateau region. Land use in these rural watersheds consists
predominantly of broad rangeland areas with some cropland use.
Urban development is greatest in the Salado Creek watershed.
Project staff evaluated the sources of oxygen-demanding
materials and their impacts on dissolved oxygen in the two creeks.
The purpose of the project was to to evaluate whether the agency
should develop TMDLs for the creeks.
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Public
Participation
To involve stakeholders in this project, the TCEQ worked with an
existing forum—the Brazos River Authority Steering Committee
established under 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
All dissolved oxygen measurements taken in Salado Creek were in
compliance with the water quality standards. All measurements in
Rocky Creek were in compliance with the water quality standards,
with the exception of one station on the North Fork Rocky
Creek.
The TMDL Program has recommended that Salado Creek and the
mainstem of Rocky Creek be removed from the state’s 303(d)
list of impaired water bodies. The TCEQ’s Surface Water
Quality Monitoring personnel will make a determination about the
listing status when they prepare the 2006 Texas Water Quality
Inventory and 303(d) List.
Biological data collected from the North Fork of Rocky Creek
indicates that it supports a relatively healthy biological
community, better than that which would be expected based upon the
results of the dissolved oxygen monitoring. The TCEQ's Water
Quality Standards program is reviewing data from the North Fork of
Rocky Creek to determine if a site-specific criterion for dissolved
oxygen would be appropriate for the creek. The current criterion
for the segment is based on a presumed standard. No TMDLs will be
developed for the creeks unless conditions change.
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For More Information
For technical information regarding the project, please contact
Arthur Talley at 512/239-4546. Or e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.state.tx.us, and
reference the Middle Brazos River project in the subject line.
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