Colorado River Below E.V. Spence Reservoir and Petronila Creek: A TMDL Project for Total Dissolved Solids

A completed project for bacteria, dissolved oxygen, and pH in the Colorado River below E.V. Spence Reservoir and Petronila Creek.

Colorado River
Below E.V. Spence Reservoir

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Counties: Coke, Runnels, Nolan, Taylor, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces
Parameters: Chloride, Sulfate, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
River Basin: Colorado River, Nueces-Rio Grande Coastal
Segment: 1426, 2204

Project Overview
Background and Goals
Colorado River TMDLs and I-Plan
Petronila Creek TMDLs and I-Plan
Public Participation
Reports
For More Information

Background and Goals

In the Colorado River Below E.V. Spence Reservoir (Segment 1426) and Petronila Creek (Segment 2204), water quality testing found elevated levels of chloride, sulfate, and total dissolved solids (TDS). High concentrations of these salts are indicators of general water quality that are not tied to evaluation of a specific beneficial use such as the support of aquatic life.

The purpose of this project was to improve water quality in the streams through TMDLs and plans to implement them.

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Colorado River TMDLs and I-Plan

The commission adopted two TMDLs for the Colorado River on February 7, 2007.

Two Total Maximum Daily Loads for Chloride and Total Dissolved Solids, Colorado River Below E. V. Spence Reservoir, Segment 1426
Response to Public Comment on the TMDLs

The EPA approved the TMDLs on April 9, 2007, at which time they became part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan.

The commission approved the I-Plan on October 10, 2007.

Implementation Plan for Two Total Maximum Daily Loads for Chloride and Total Dissolved Solids, Colorado River Below E. V. Spence Reservoir, Segment 1426
Response to Public Comment on the I-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 TMDL are documented in the approved WQMP updates listed below.

July 2009, Appendix II, pages 8-9
January 2010, Appendix I, pages 10-11

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

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Petronila Creek TMDLs and I-Plan

The commission adopted three TMDLs for Petronila Creek on January 10, 2007.

Three Total Maximum Daily Loads for Chloride, Sulfate, and Total Dissolved Solids, Petronila Creek Above Tidal, Segment 2204
Response to Public Comment on the TMDLs

The EPA approved the TMDLs on March 14, 2007, at which time they became part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan.

Updates to TMDLs

Revisions to the TMDL are documented in the approved WQMP updates listed below.

January 2009, pages 10-12
October 2010, Appendix 2, page 13

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

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The commission approved the I-Plan on October 10, 2007.

Implementation Plan for Three Total Maximum Daily Loads for Chloride, Sulfate, and Total Dissolved Solids, Petronila Creek Above Tidal, Segment 2204
Response to Public Comment on the I-Plan

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Public Participation

Named-member stakeholder groups were established for each of watersheds to advise the TCEQ on the development of TMDLs for Petronila Creek and the Colorado River Below E.V. Spence Reservoir and Petronila Creek. The groups were dissolved upon completion of the TMDLs.

Meeting Records of the Colorado River Stakeholder Group

The documents below are provided in PDF.