Colorado River Below E.V. Spence Reservoir: Implementing a Plan to Improve Water Quality
Below E.V. Spence Reservoir
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Counties: Coke, Runnels, Nolan, Taylor
Parameters: Chloride, Sulfate, TDS
River Basin: Colorado River
Segment: 1426
About the Project
The Colorado River Below E.V. Spence Reservoir, Segment 1426, is a 66-mile freshwater stream located within the larger Colorado River Basin. Segment 1426 receives the majority of its flow from E.V. Spence Reservoir.
In 2000, water quality testing found elevated levels of chloride, sulfate, and total dissolved solids (TDS) in the creek. High concentrations of these salts are indicators of general water quality that are not tied to a specific use, but may affect several uses.
For example, too much chloride can cause a bad taste in drinking water, harm plumbing, and increase the risk of hypertension in humans. Large quantities of sulfate can cause drinking water to smell or taste bad. High concentrations of dissolved solids can be toxic to species that live in fresh water.
The goal of this project is to improve water quality in the river by implementing total maximum daily loads.
Return to topGet Involved
People who live or work in the watershed are encouraged to attend any or all meetings about this project and work on activities to improve the creek. Help keep the creek clean and safe for humans and aquatic life forms.
Implementation Phase
The Upper Colorado River Authority (UCRA) is working with stakeholders on a new effort to evaluate the I-Plan and revise it as appropriate.
Next Meeting
The purpose of this meeting is to begin forming a stakeholder group that will evaluate progress on the original I-Plan approved in 2007 to reduce salts in this segment of the river.
Staff members from the UCRA and the TCEQ will give an overview about progress made so far in improving conditions in the river. Stakeholders and project staff will then discuss the progress and the next steps forward.
Stakeholders who participated in developing the plan for this river segment are invited and encouraged to attend, along with anyone interested in joining this effort.
May 22, 2013
10 – 11:30 a.m.
Ballinger City Hall
700 Railroad Avenue
Ballinger 76821
TMDL Development Phase
A named-member stakeholder group was established to advise the TCEQ on the development of TMDLs. The group disbanded after completion of the TMDLs.
Meeting Records, TMDL Development
The documents below are provided in PDF.
- October 2005
- June 2005
- November 2004
- April 2004
- December 2003
- September 2002
TMDLs and I-Plan
The commission adopted two TMDLs for the Colorado River on February 7, 2007.
- Two Total Maximum Daily Loads
for Chloride and Total Dissolved Solids, Colorado River Below E. V. Spence Reservoir, Segment 1426 - Response to Public Comment on the TMDLs
The EPA approved the TMDLs on April 9, 2007, at which time they became part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan.
The commission approved the I-Plan on October 10, 2007.
- Implementation Plan for Two Total Maximum Daily Loads for Chloride and Total Dissolved Solids, Colorado River Below E. V. Spence Reservoir, Segment 1426
- Response to Public Comment on the I-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.
- July 2009, Appendix II, pages 8-9
- January 2010, Appendix I, pages 10-11
Learn more about WQMP updates and about opportunities to comment on revisions to them.
Reports
- Electromagnetic Conductivity Surveys: Final Technical Report (17 MB)
For More Information
Please e-mail tmdl@tceq.texas.gov and mention the Colorado River Below Spence TMDL project in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
