Leon River: A TMDL Project for Bacteria
Counties: Comanche, Coryell, Erath, Hamilton, Mills
Parameter: Bacteria
Basin: Brazos River
Segment: 1221
- Project Overview
- Background and Goals
- Proposed TMDL
- Watershed Protection Plan
- Public Participation
- Documents
- For More Information
Background and Goals
In Leon River below Proctor Lake (Segment 1221) in the Brazos River Basin, water quality testing found concentrations of bacteria are sometimes higher than the criteria established to protect water quality. The goal of this project is to reduce bacteria concentrations in Segment 1221 of the Leon River to within acceptable risk levels for contact recreation.
Bacteria from human and animal waste often indicate the presence of disease-causing microorganisms that pose a threat to public health. People who swim or wade in the river may be at risk—activities called “contact recreation” in the state's standards for water quality.
In the Leon watershed, environmental concerns are generally associated with the management of animal byproducts and municipal wastewater. The Upper Leon River watershed is a designated Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) Benchmark Watershed. Data from studies about agricultural nutrient management practices in the Leon River watershed will be included in the CEAP findings.
Proposed TMDL
Although a TMDL was proposed for Segment 1221, adoption has been delayed. The Brazos River Authority is developing a Watershed Protection Plan (see below) for the Leon River. One purpose of the plan is to determine the best strategy for reducing bacteria and improving water quality in the river.
The implementation actions in the plan will be given sufficient time to take effect before the TCEQ will consider whether a TMDL for bacteria is still needed. Prior to moving forward with any change in the water quality improvement strategy, the TCEQ will meet with stakeholders to discuss options.
- Proposed One Total Maximum Daily Load for Bacteria in the Leon River Below Proctor Lake
- Proposed Response to Public Comment
Watershed Protection Plan
The Brazos River Authority received a federal Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grant through the TSSWCB 
to facilitate the development of a Leon River Watershed Protection Plan (WPP). The WPP will be a framework for implementing protection and restoration strategies driven by environmental objectives. Through development of the WPP, stakeholders will identify strategies for mitigating the sources and causes of impairments and threats to their water resources.
Public Participation
Until results of the Leon River Watershed Protection Plan are known, the TCEQ will not be conducting meetings related to the TMDL project. Through 2007, a named-member stakeholder group called the Leon Bacteria Advisory Group advised the TCEQ on development of the TMDLs for this project. This group was disbanded after the WPP project was initiated. Records of the group's membership and meetings are available below.
Meeting records are provided in PDF .
- Membership at the time TMDLs were completed
- Ground Rules for the advisory group
- Meeting Summaries
Documents
Documents are provided in PDF .
- Final Modeling Report for Leon River
- Draft Sensitivity Analysis
- 2nd Round Comment: Summary Table for Draft Modeling Report
- 1st Round Comment: Summary Table for Draft Modeling Report
- Reducing Bacteria to Improve Water Quality in the Leon River: What You Need to Know
For More Information
To find out more about the TMDL project, please e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and reference the Leon River bacteria TMDL in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
For more information about the Watershed Protection Plan, please e-mail T.J. Helton at the TSSWCB, or call Mr. Helton at 254-773-2250, extension 234.
