Upper Oyster Creek: A TMDL Project for Bacteria and Dissolved Oxygen

A project to reduce bacteria and increase dissolved oxygen to protect recreational and aquatic life uses. TMDLs are adopted. I-Plan is in development.

Upper Oyster Creek

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Counties: Fort Bend
Parameters: Bacteria, dissolved oxygen
River Basin: Brazos River
Segment: 1245

Project Overview
Background and Goals
Adopted TMDLs
Public Meetings and Participation
Support Documents
For More Information

Background and Goals

Upper Oyster Creek is located within the Brazos River Basin, immediately southwest of Houston in northern Fort Bend County. Segment 1245, though named Upper Oyster Creek, also includes parts of Jones Creek, Oyster Creek, Flat Bank Creek, a diversion canal, and Steep Bank Creek. Upper Oyster Creek has been highly modified, and serves as a portion of a water conveyance system for the Gulf Coast Water Authority.

Water quality testing found that bacteria levels in Upper Oyster Creek might pose a health risk for swimmers. Low dissolved oxygen concentrations in some areas of the creek indicate that conditions are not optimal for aquatic life.

The TMDL Program is working with area stakeholders to develop a plan to improve water quality in the creek. The goal of the project is to reduce bacteria concentrations to within acceptable risk levels for swimmers, and improve conditions to support a healthy aquatic community.

Recreational Use Attainability Analysis

The TCEQ Standards Team is also working in the watershed of Upper Oyster Creek, on a Recreational Use Attainability Analysis (RUAA) for the Fort Bend County area of the watershed. See information about the RUAA on our website, or at contact our Standards Team by e-mailing standards@tceq.texas.gov or calling 512-239-6682.

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Adopted TMDLs

TMDLs for Dissolved Oxygen

On July 28, 2010, the commission adopted the TMDLs for dissolved oxygen.

Two Total Maximum Daily Loads for Dissolved Oxygen in Upper Oyster Creek, Segment 1245
Response to Public Comment on TMDLs for Dissolved Oxygen

The EPA approved the TMDL on September 21, 2010, at which time it became part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan.

TMDL for Bacteria

The commission adopted this TMDL for bacteria on August 8, 2007.

One TMDL for Bacteria in Upper Oyster Creek, Segment 1245
Response to Public Comment on the TMDLs for Bacteria

The EPA approved the TMDL on September 28, 2007, at which time the TMDLs became part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan.

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Updates to TMDLs

From time to time, it is necessary to revise TMDLs to account for changing conditions in the watershed, such as new or amended permits, or urban growth, or to correct oversights in the original TMDL report. Revisions to the load allocations in TMDLs are made via the state’s WQMP, which is updated quarterly.

The WQMP provides projected effluent limits for use in planning and permitting activities under the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES). The TCEQ reviews all applications for new and amended permits for conformance with applicable portions of the WQMP, including adopted TMDLs.

Revisions to the Dissolved Oxygen TMDLs

Revisions are documented in the approved WQMP updates listed below.

January 2012, Appendix VIII, pages 36-37
July 2011, pages 31-32

Learn more about WQMP updates and about opportunities to comment on them.

Revisions to the Bacteria TMDLs

are documented in the approved WQMP updates listed below.

January 2012, Appendix VII, pages 34-35
April 2008, pages 12-14
July 2008, pages 7-9
January 2009, pages 10-12
April 2010, pages 9 & 18
July 2011, pages 10 & 30
January 2012, Appendix VII, pages 34-35

Learn more about WQMP updates and about opportunities to comment on them.

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Public Meetings and Participation

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is coordinating public participation in development of the TMDL implementation plan. Meeting records about the implementation plan are available on their website. Meetings about the project are open to everyone.

Original TMDL Steering Committee Information

TMDL Steering Committee
A named-member stakeholder group called the Upper Oyster Creek TMDL Watershed Steering Committee advised the TCEQ on development of the TMDLs for this project. Records of the groups membership and meetings are available below.