Elm and Sandies Creeks: A TMDL Project for Bacteria and Dissolved Oxygen

Sandies Creek

• Project Overview (PDF)
• Background and Goals
• Public Participation
• Project Documents
• For More Information

Background and Goals

In Elm Creek and Sandies Creek in south central Texas, water quality assessment in 1999 found elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria and low concentrations of dissolved oxygen. The TCEQ worked with the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority and other regional stakeholders to develop a plan to restore the quality of the affected streams. The program's South Central Texas Streams project verified the need to develop TMDLs for the creeks.

Disease-causing bacteria from human and animal waste may threaten public health. People who swim or wade in the creek may be at risk. Oxygen, which dissolves in water, is essential for the survival of aquatic life. While the amount of dissolved oxygen in water fluctuates naturally, various human activities can cause unusually or chronically low dissolved oxygen levels, which may harm fish and other aquatic organisms.

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Public Participation

The TCEQ informs stakeholders about this project at public meetings and in print and electronic media.

Meetings about TMDL projects are open to everyone.

Meeting Summaries

Meeting summaries and presentations are provided below in PDF.

• June 23, 2008
  • Meeting Summary
  • Overview of Impairment
  • Overview of Source Assessment
  • TMDL Implementation Strategy—Technical and Financial Assistance for Cattlemen and Poultry Growers
  • Options Related to Water Quality Standards
• August 23, 2007
  • Meeting Summary
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Introduction to the TMDL Process
  • Verification of Impairment
  • Recommendations of the Bacteria Task Force
  • Impairments of Concern
  • Status Report
• July 14, 2005
  • Meeting Summary
  • TMDL Project Overview
  • Monitoring Presentation
  • Implementation Strategy Presentation
  • Final Report, Volume 1: Physical and Chemical Components
  • Final Report, Volume 2: Biological and Habitat Components
• November 18, 2004
  • Meeting Summary
  • TMDL Program Presentation
  • Data Review Presentation
  • Monitoring Presentation
  • FY05 Monitoring Plan for the Elm and Sandies Creeks TMDL
  • Modeling Presentation
  • Draft Groundrules for Stakeholder Advisory Group

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Project Documents

Final reports from the assessment to determine the need for TMDLs, in PDF.

• Final Report, Volume 1: Physical and Chemical Components
• Final Report, Volume 2: Biological and Habitat Components

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For More Information

Please e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and reference the Elm and Sandies Creeks project in the subject line. Or call Dania Grundmann at 512-239-3449.

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