Atascosa River: Evaluating the Aquatic Life and Recreational Uses

A completed assessment project to evaluate concentrations of dissolved oxygen and bacteria in the Atascosa River in South Central Texas

Atascosa River

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Counties: Atascosa, Bexar, Frio, Karnes, Live Oak, McMullen, Medina, Wilson
Parameters: Bacteria and Dissolved Oxygen
Basin: Nueces River
Segment: 2107

Project Overview (PDF)
Project Description
Public Participation
Reports
For More Information

Project Description

In the Atascosa River in south central Texas, water quality testing found elevated levels of bacteria and low concentrations of dissolved oxygen. The TCEQ is working with the Nueces River Authority and other stakeholders to develop a plan to address these conditions.

High concentrations of bacteria may indicate a health risk to people who swim or wade in the rivers—activities referred as “contact recreation” in the state’s Standards for surface water quality. Dissolved oxygen is essential for the survival of aquatic life, and so is used to indicate whether conditions support the “aquatic life use” in the Standards

In 2009, proposed revisions to the state’s recreational use standard prompted the TCEQ to re-evaluate development of a TMDL, which had been underway since fall 2004. The agency decided to evaluate the aquatic life and contact recreation uses at the same time to gain a fuller understanding of the biological and flow conditions for the entire stream.

Using protocols developed by the TCEQ’s Water Quality Standards Group, the TMDL Team managed a study to support both an aquatic life use attainability analysis (ALUAA) and a recreational use attainability analysis (RUAA) on the entire length of the Atascosa River. UAAs are comprehensive examinations of the physical, chemical, and biological factors that determine whether a particular use is attainable in a specific area of a water body.

Depending on the results of these UAAs, the recreational and aquatic life use standards may be modified. Contact the TCEQ Standards Team to inquire about the status of these analyses.

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Public Participation

The TCEQ is informing stakeholders about this project at public meetings and in print and electronic media. Meetings about the project are open to everyone.

Meeting Records

Documents are provided in PDF unless otherwise indicated.

Meetings Related to UAA Development	Meetings Related to TMDL Development
August 30, 2012 Meeting Summary Agenda Project Overview ALUAA Summary RUAA Summary Next Steps	June 24, 2008 Meeting Summary TMDL Implementation Strategy —Technical and Financial Assistance Overview of Impairment Overview of Source Assessment Options Related to Water Quality Standards
August 2, 2011 Meeting Summary Agenda Overview of Standards Timelines for UAA Development Summary of Preliminary RUAA Summary of Preliminary ALUAA	August 21, 2007 Meeting Summary Agenda Introduction to the TMDL Process Verification of Impairment Recommendations of the Bacteria Task Force Impairments of Concern Status Report
November 5, 2009 Meeting Summary Agenda Water Quality Standards Presentation Recreational Use Standards Presentation Atascosa River Recreational Use Presentation Atascosa River Aquatic Life Use Presentation Technical and Financial Assistance Presentation	July 12, 2005 Meeting Summary TMDL Project Overview Event Sampling Presentation Implementation Strategy Presentation Final Report, Volume 1: Physical and Chemical Components Final Report, Volume 2: Biological and Habitat Components
	January 20, 2005 Meeting Summary TMDL Program Presentation Data Review Presentation Monitoring Presentation Fiscal 2005 Monitoring Plan for the Atascosa River TMDL Modeling Presentation Draft Ground Rules for Stakeholder Advisory Group

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Reports

Reports are provided in PDF unless otherwise noted. The TCEQ Standards Team will use these reports to analyze use attainability and decide whether to recommend revisions to the standards.

ALUAA Report for the Atascosa River

RUAA report for the Atascosa River

Final reports from the 2004 assessment to determine the extent and severity of impairments to the recreational and aquatic life uses of the river.

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For More Information

Please e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.texas.gov and mention the Atascosa River project in the subject line. E-mail the TCEQ Standards Team to inquire about the status of the UAAs. Or call us at 512-239-6682.

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