Carters Creek Watershed: Implementing TMDLs to Protect Recreational Uses

A project to develop and implement TMDLs to reduce bacteria levels and protect recreational uses of the creek.

Carters Creek

County: Brazos
Parameter: Bacteria
River Basin: Brazos
Segment: 1209C, 1209D, 1209L

Project Overview
Background and Goals
TMDLs and Implementation Plan
Get Involved
Reports
For More Information

Background and Goals

High concentrations of bacteria such as E. coli and fecal coliform, which are naturally found in both human and animal waste, may indicate a health risk to people who swim or wade in the creek—activities called “contact recreation” in the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards. Water quality testing has indicated that concentrations of bacteria in Carters, Burton, and Country Club creeks are sometimes higher than the criteria in the Standards.

The watershed of Carters creek is in Brazos County, and covers about 57 square miles. Land use in the watershed is heavily urbanized in the upper reach where Carters Creek originates in Bryan/College Station, and becomes more rural in the lower reach. Country Club Branch flows into Burton Creek, which in turn flows into Carters Creek. These tributary watersheds are almost entirely urbanized.

The goal of this project is to reduce bacteria concentrations to within acceptable levels for contact recreation through development of total maximum daily loads and a plan to implement them. A TMDL is like a budget for pollutants. It determines the amount of a pollutant (or load) that a water body can receive and still support its designated uses.

The total load is then allocated among the categories of pollution sources within the watershed, and stakeholders develop a plan with measures to reduce pollutant loads. I-Plans are carried out by stakeholders over a period of several years.

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TMDLs and Implementation Plan

On August 22, 2012, the commission adopted the TMDLs for Carters Creek watershed and approved the stakeholders’ Implementation Plan.

Three Total Maximum Daily Loads for the Carters Creek Watershed
Implementation Plan for Three Total Maximum Daily Loads for Bacteria in the Carters Creek Watershed

On September 27, 2012, the EPA approved the TMDLs, at which time they became part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan.

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Get Involved

In all its projects, the TCEQ seeks opinions 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.

The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) coordinated stakeholder involvement and the drafting of the I-Plan. Records of stakeholder meetings held during development of the TMDLs and I-Plan are available on their website.