Cottonwood Branch and Grapevine Creek: A TMDL Project for Bacteria
County: Dallas and Tarrant
Parameter: Bacteria
River Basin: Trinity
Segment: 0822A, 0822B
- Project Overview (PDF)
- Background and Goals
- Adopted TMDLs
- Implementation Plan
- Public Participation
- Project Documents
- For More Information
Background and Goals
High concentrations of bacteria have been observed in Grapevine Creek (Segment 0822B) and Cottonwood Branch (Segment 0822A). High concentrations of bacteria may pose a health risk to people who swim or wade in them—activities called “contact recreation” in the state’s standards for water quality.
Grapevine Creek and Cottonwood Branch are tributaries to the Elm Fork of the Trinity River (Segment 0822). To varying degrees, these segments are affected by storm water runoff from agricultural, industrial, and urban areas.
The goal of this project is to reduce bacteria concentrations to within acceptable risk levels for contact recreation, through development of total maximum daily loads. A TMDL is like a budget for pollutants. It determines the amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still support its designated uses.
The TMDL Program has two closely related projects under way for segments of the upper Trinity River watershed. The Lower West Fork Trinity River and the Upper Trinity River projects are being coordinated with this one to ensure the most effective use of the state's funds in developing TMDLs and determining how to implement them.
Return to topAdopted TMDLs
On September 21, 2011, the commission adopted the TMDLs for Cottonwood Branch and Grapevine Creek.
On approval by the EPA, the TMDLs will become part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan. Learn more about the Water Quality Management Plan.
Implementation Plan
The North Central Texas Council of Governments 
has begun working with stakeholders on a plan to implement bacteria TMDLs and improve surface water quality throughout their region.
Public Participation
Project personnel are informing people about these TMDLs through public meetings and notices in print and electronic media. The meetings are open to everyone.
Greater Trinity River Stakeholders Meeting
Thursday, April 26, 2012
9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Regional Forum Room
NCTCOG Offices (map)
Centerpoint II Building, First Floor
616 Six Flags Drive
Arlington, Texas
The purpose of the meeting is to update people about the activities and progress of the Coordination Committee and the TMDL subcommittees. The NCTCOG is hosting the meeting.
Meeting Records: TMDL Development
Documents are available in PDF.
- April 22, 2010 Meeting
- September 24, 2009 Meeting
- June 10, 2008 Meeting
Project Documents
Documents are available in PDF.
For More Information
Please e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and reference the Cottonwood Branch TMDL in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682 and ask for Dania Grundmann.
