Clear Creek: A TMDL Project for Bacteria

A current project to develop and implement TMDLs that improve water quality

Clear Creek Above Tidal

Counties: Brazoria, Galveston, Harris, Fort Bend
Parameter: Bacteria
Coastal Basins: Bays and Estuaries, San Jacinto–Brazos Coastal
Segments: 1101, 1101B, 1102, 1102A, 1102B, 2425C

Project Overview
Background and Goals
Adopted TMDLs
Implementation Plan
Public Participation
Project Reports
For More Information

Background and Goals

Water quality testing found that concentrations of bacteria are elevated in several creeks and bayous in the southernmost part of the Houston metropolitan area, posing a risk to people who swim or wade in them—activities called “contact recreation” in the state’s standards for water quality. The goal of this project is to reduce bacteria concentrations to within acceptable risk levels for contact recreation.

The project area includes Clear Creek Tidal (Segment 1101), Clear Creek Above Tidal (Segment 1102), Chigger Creek (Segment 1101B), Cowert Creek (Segment 1102A), Mary’s Creek / North Fork Mary’s Creek (Segment 1102B), and Robinson Bayou (Segment 2425). The eastern and central portions of the watershed are primarily urban and residential, with some commercial and industrial uses. The western and southern parts of the watershed are primarily rural.

The TMDLs for this project are being coordinated with other projects to reduce bacteria in Houston area streams (see “Related Links”). The Houston-Galveston Area Council is a partner in the project.

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Adopted TMDLs

On September 10, 2008, the commission adopted nine TMDLs for Clear Creek.

Nine Total Maximum Daily Loads for Bacteria in Clear Creek and Tributaries, Segments 1101, 1101B, 1101D, 1102, 1102A, 1102B, 1102C, 1102D, and 1102E
Response to Public Comment on the Clear Creek Bacteria TMDLs

On March 6, 2009, the EPA approved these TMDLs, at which time the TMDLs became part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan.

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.

April 2009, Appendix I, pages 13-15
July 2011, Appendix I, pages 11-12

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

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Implementation Plan

On August 16, 2011, the BIG approved its final draft Implementation Plan for submittal to the TCEQ for commission approval.

The latest draft of the I-Plan is available on the H-GAC's BIG website .

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Public Participation

In all its projects, the TCEQ seeks to gather opinion and information from people who represent government, permitted facilities, agriculture, business, environmental, and community and private interests in the watershed. The TCEQ solicits advice from the public at meetings and through notices in print and electronic media.

Bacteria Implementation Group

The TCEQ is working with the Bacteria Implementation Group (BIG) of the H-GAC to develp an implementation plan to reduce bacteria concentrations in 12 watersheds in the Houston area, including the projects for Lake Houston, Buffalo and Whiteoak Bayous, the Houston Metropolitan Area, and this project. Get information about membership, meetings, and other reports of the the BIG on the BIG website.

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