Lower West Fork Trinity River: A TMDL Project to Protect Recreational Uses

A project to reduce bacteria concentrations and protect recreational safety in the river. Stakeholders are developing a plan to accomplish this goal.

Lower West Fork Trinity River

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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

Project Overview
Background and Goals
TMDLs and Implementation Plan for Commission Consideration
Public Participation
Project Reports
For More Information

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.

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TMDLs and Implementation Plan for Commission Consideration

At their May 22 Agenda meeting, the commission is scheduled to consider whether to publish and solicit comments on the draft TMDLs for indicator bacteria in the Lower West Fork Trinity.

TMDL Agenda Package
(Docket request, executive summary, and draft TMDL report)

At their June 5 Agenda meeting, the commission is scheduled to consider whether to publish and solicit comments on the draft Implementation Plan for the Greater Trinity River Region.

I-Plan Agenda Package
(Docket request, executive summary, and draft Implementation Plan)

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Public 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.