| Counties in Watershed: |
Comanche, Coryell, Erath, Hamilton, Mills |
| Parameter: |
Bacteria |
| Basin: |
Brazos River |
| Segment: |
1221 |
 |
|
Leon
River
|
Background and
Goals
In Leon River below Proctor Lake (Segment 1221) in the Brazos
River Basin, water quality testing found concentrations of bacteria
that may pose a health risk for swimmers. Swimming and other forms
of recreation in which people come into direct contact with the
water are called “contact recreation” in the state’s
standards for water quality.
The goal of this project is to reduce bacteria concentrations in
Segment 1221 of the Leon River to within acceptable risk levels for
contact recreation.
See the Texas Water Resources Institute Web site for information
about Proper
Organic Management
in the Leon River watershed. The Upper Leon
River watershed is a designated Conservation Effects Assessment
Project (CEAP) Benchmark Watershed. CEAP Benchmark Watersheds will
provide in-depth data on the environmental effects of conservation
practices at the field-to-watershed scale. In the Leon watershed,
environmental concerns are generally associated with the management
of animal byproducts and municipal wastewater, as water quality
impairments results from runoff and point source discharge
contaminated with pathogens and/or nutrients. The CEAP effort in
this watershed will focus on agricultural nutrient management.
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Proposed TMDL
The public comment period for the TMDL closed on May 5, 2008.
The TCEQ held a public meeting to receive comments on April 17,
2008.
Final adoption of this TMDL has been delayed. Proposed revisions
to the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards may affect future
decisions to recommence with development of this TMDL. Before
moving forward, the TCEQ will schedule meetings with stakeholders
to discuss options for future actions.
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Public
Participation
An advisory group has been formed to involve the public in
development of the TMDLs. The group includes stakeholders who
represent government,permitted facilities, agriculture, business,
environmental, and community interests. This voluntary committee
provides advice and comment to the TCEQ on its project to restore
water quality in the Leon River below Proctor Lake.
For More Information
For additional information regarding this project, please call
Kerry Niemann at 512/239-0483. Or e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.state.tx.us, and
reference the Leon River bacteria TMDL in the subject line.
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