Lower West Fork Trinity River: A TMDL Project for Bacteria
Watershed Counties: Dallas, Tarrant
Parameter: Bacteria
River Basin: Lower West Fork Trinity River
Segments: 0841, 0841B, 0841C, 0841E, 0841G, 0841H, 0841J, 0841L, 0841M, 0841R, 0841 T, 0841U
Background and Goals
Bacteria concentrations are occasionally elevated in portions of the Lower West Fork Trinity River that flow through Fort Worth. High concentrations of bacteria may pose a risk to people who swim or wade in them—activities called “contact recreation” in the state’s standards for water quality. The Lower West Fork Trinity River (Segment 0841) is affected.
The impairment of contact recreation applies to Segment 0841 and 11 of its tributaries. The goal of this project is to reduce bacteria concentrations to within acceptable risk levels for contact recreation by developing total maximum daily loads. A TMDL is like a budget for pollutants—it estimates the amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still support its designated uses.
The TMDL Program is coordinating this project with two closely related bacteria projects in north central Texas—the Upper Trinity River and the Cottonwood Branch and Grapevine Creek projects—to ensure the most effective use of the state’s funds.
Return to topPublic Participation
Project personnel are involving the public in project development through public meetings and notices in print and electronic media. Meetings about TMDL projects are open to everyone.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments 
is working with stakeholders on a plan to implement bacteria TMDLs throughout their region.
For More Information
Please e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and reference the Upper Trinity River Bacteria project in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
