Clear Creek: A TMDL Project for Bacteria

Counties: Brazoria, Galveston, Harris, Fort Bend
Parameter: Bacteria
Coastal Basins: Bays and Estuaries, San Jacinto–Brazos Coastal Basin
Segments: 1101, 1101B, 1102, 1102A, 1102B, 2425C

Clear Creek Above Tidal

• Project Overview
  (PDF. Help with PDF)
• Background and Goals
• Adopted TMDLs
• Public Participation
• Bacteria Implementation Group
• Project Documents
• For More Information

Background and Goals

Water quality testing found that concentrations of bacteria are elevated in several creeks and bayous in the southernmost part of the Houston metropolitan area, posing a risk to people who swim or wade in them. Swimming and wading are called “contact recreation” in the state’s standards for water quality; the term refers to all recreation in which people come in direct contact with the water. The goal of this project is to reduce bacteria concentrations to within acceptable risk levels for contact recreation.

The segments included in the project are Clear Creek Tidal (Segment 1101), Clear Creek Above Tidal (Segment 1102), Chigger Creek (Segment 1101B), Cowert Creek (Segment 1102A), Mary’s Creek / North Fork Mary’s Creek (Segment 1102B), and Robinson Bayou (Segment 2425). The eastern and central portions of the watershed are primarily urban and residential, with some commercial and industrial uses. The western and southern parts of the watershed are basically rural.

The TMDLs for this project are being coordinated with other projects to reduce bacteria in Houston area streams and the Galveston Bay system (see “Related Links”). The Houston-Galveston Area Council is a partner in the project.

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TMDLs Proposed for Adoption

On September 10, the commission adopted nine TMDLs for Clear Creek.

• Nine Total Maximum Daily Loads for Bacteria in Clear Creek and Tributaries,
  Segments 1101, 1101B, 1101D, 1102, 1102A, 1102B, 1102C, 1102D, and 1102E (PDF. Help with PDF.)
• Response to Public Comment on the Clear Creek Bacteria TMDLs

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Public Participation

Project personnel are involving the public in project development through public meetings and notices in print and electronic media. Meetings about TMDL projects are open to everyone.

Summaries of Meetings
(PDF. Help with PDF.)

• November 2007
• February 2007
• September 2006
• April 2006

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Bacteria Implementation Group

The TCEQ is working with the Bacteria Implementation Group (BIG) of the H-GAC to develp an implementation plan to reduce bacteria concentrations in 12 watersheds in the Houston area, including the projects for Lake Houston, Buffalo and Whiteoak Bayous, the Houston Metropolitan Area, and this project.

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Project Documents

Project documents are provided as PDF files. Help with PDF.

• May 2008
  Technical Support for Bacteria TMDLs, Clear Creek Watershed
• April 2007
  Quarterly Report
• January 2007
  Quarterly Report
• October 2006
  Quarterly Report
• June 2006
  Quarterly Report
• March 2006
  Quarterly Report
• December 2005
  Quarterly Report
• September 2005
  Final Report:
  Total Maximum Daily Loads for Fecal Pathogens in the Clear Creek Watershed (4.6 MB)
  Appendix A: Sampling Plan (2.8 MB)
  Appendix B: T-Test Analyses for Historical Data (2.8 MB)
  Appendix C: Flow Data for Municipal Wastewater Permits in the Clear Creek Watershed (2.8 MB)
  Appendix D: DMR Data for Municipal Wastewater Permits in the Clear Creek Watershed (2.8 MB)
  Appendix E: SSO Data for City of Houston Wastewater Permits in the Clear Creek Watershed (2.8 MB)
  Appendix F: QAPP Revision 2 (2.8 MB)
  Appendix G: Quality Assurance/Quality Control Documentation (2.8 MB)
  Appendix H: Standard Operating Procedures for Sample Collection (2.8 MB)
  Appendix I: Pipe Reconaissance Survey (2.8 MB)

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For More Information

For more information regarding the project, please call Ron Stein at 512/239-4507. Or e-mail us at rstein@tceq.state.tx.us, and reference the Clear Creek bacteria project in the subject line.

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