Lampasas and Navasota Rivers: Evaluating Water Quality for Recreational Uses
Photo courtesy of Texas AgriLife
Counties: Bell, Burnet, Hamilton, Lampasas, Limestone, Madison, Robertson
Parameter: Bacteria
River Basin: Brazos
Segment: 1209J, 1209K, and 1217
Overview and Status
In 2008, the TCEQ found that concentrations of bacteria exceeded the criteria to protect the safety of contact recreation in two tributaries of the Navasota River and a segment of the Lampasas River.
High concentrations of bacteria may indicate a health risk to people who swim or wade in a water body—activities called “contact recreation” in the state’s standards for water quality.
The Navasota and Lampasas Rivers are part of the larger Brazos River Basin. Three segments are included in this project:
- Shepherd Creek, Segment, 1209J
- Steele Creek Segment, 1209K
- the Lampasas River Above Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir, Segment 1217
The TCEQ’s TMDL Program led an intensive sampling and analysis project for the three streams. Project personnel collected bacteria, flow, and field data for use in assessing the extent of bacteria loads in the segments and their impacts on water quality.
Project results were examined by the Surface Water Quality Monitoring Team. Segment 1217 was removed from the 303(d) list in 2010.
Return to topPublic Participation
The TCEQ coordinated participation activities in the Lampasas watershed with staff at the Texas AgriLife Blackland Research and Extension Center. The Research and Extension Center is leading development of a watershed-protection plan in cooperation with stakeholders in the Lampasas River Watershed Partnership. If results of the data assessment indicate one or more TMDLs will be required, the TCEQ will actively involve stakeholders in the watersheds in developing them.
For More Information
Please e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and reference the Lampasas and Navasota Rivers project in the subject. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
