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Houston-Galveston Region: I-Plan and TMDLs

The goal of this plan, developed by the Bacteria Implementation Group (BIG), is to make recreation safer by reducing bacteria levels in waterways of the Houston area. The TMDLs and Implementation Plan together are the road map to improving water quality.

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Parameter: Bacteria
River Basin: San Jacinto, San Jacinto–Brazos Coastal

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I-Plan

The commission approved the implementation plan on January 30, 2013. This plan was developed by stakeholders in the Bacteria Implementation Group (BIG)

This plan originally implemented 72 TMDLs for 60 waterway segments in 10 counties. Other TMDLs and water bodies have since been added. The TMDLs for Armand Bayou were added to the BIG I-Plan by vote of the BIG and the Armand Bayou stakeholders in 2014; the commission approved this action in 2015. The TMDLs for San Jacinto River were added by vote of the BIG and the San Jacinto stakeholders in 2015; the commission approved this action in 2016. The TMDL for Jarbo Bayou was added to the BIG I-Plan by vote of the BIG and the Jarbo Bayou stakeholders in 2015; the commission approved this action in 2018. Several TMDLs have also been added by addenda to the original TMDLs.

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TMDLs

On the date of their approval by EPA, all these TMDLs became part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan.

  • Armand Bayou
    The commission adopted these TMDLs on August 5, 2015. The EPA approved them on October 2, 2015. The EPA approved Addendum I to the TMDLs on February 22, 2019.
  • Brays Bayou watersheds
    The commission adopted these TMDLs on September 15, 2010. The EPA approved them on September 27, 2010. The EPA approved an addendum to the TMDLs in August 2013.
  • Buffalo and Whiteoak Bayous
    The commission adopted these TMDLs on April 8, 2009. The EPA approved them on June 11, 2009. The EPA approved Addendum I to the TMDLs in August 2013. The EPA approved Addendum II to the TMDLs in July 2015.
  • Clear Creek
    The commission adopted these TMDLs on September 10, 2008. The EPA approved them on March 6, 2009. The EPA approved an Addendum I to the TMDLs in March 2013. The EPA approved Addendum II to the TMDLs on February 22, 2019.
  • Eastern Houston watersheds
    The commission adopted these TMDLs on September 15, 2010. The EPA approved them on September 27, 2010. The EPA approved Addendum I to the TMDLs in August 2013. The EPA approved Addendum II to these TMDLs on February 22, 2019.
  • Greens Bayou
    The commission adopted these TMDLs on June 2, 2010. The EPA approved them on August 12, 2010.
  • Halls Bayou
    The commission adopted these TMDLs on September 15, 2010. The EPA approved them on September 27, 2010
  • Jarbo Bayou
    The commission adopted this TMDL on January 24, 2018. The EPA approved the TMDL on March 29, 2018.
  • Lake Houston Upstream Watersheds
    The commission adopted these TMDLs on April 6, 2011. The EPA approved them on June 29, 2011. The EPA approved an addendum to the TMDLs in February 2014.
  • San Jacinto River, East and West Forks; Lake Houston; and Crystal Creek
    The commission adopted these TMDLs on August 24, 2016. The EPA approved them on October 7, 2016. The EPA approved Addendum I to the TMDLs on February 22, 2019.
  • Sims Bayou
    The commission adopted these TMDLs on September 15, 2010. The EPA approved them on September 27, 2010. The EPA approved an addendum to the TMDLs in August 2013.

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Revisions to TMDLs

From time to time, it is necessary to revise TMDLs to account for changing conditions in the watershed. Revisions to the load allocations in TMDLs are made via the state’s Water Quality Management Plan (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 are made to TMDLs in one of two ways:

  • Updates are made to account for changing conditions in the watershed, such as new or revised wasteload allocations, permits that have been canceled or have expired, or changed facility names.
  • Addendums are created to add load allocations for assessment units that are impaired by the same pollutant or condition, within the same watershed as in the original TMDL report.

Revisions to the TMDLs are documented next to the original TMDL report in the table below. Both updates and addendums are provided in the same units of measure used in the original TMDL.

WQMP updates may be viewed in person at the TCEQ Library, Building A, 12100 Park 35 Circle, Austin, Texas. Electronic versions of updates published from 2014 through the present are available on the Texas State Library and Archives Commission website

For WQMP updates prior to 2014, use the TRAIL Search engine as outlined below. The main search box on the page will only conduct a simple search with no exclusionary parameters and should not be used.

  1. First, limit your search to TCEQ only. Do this via the advanced search feature on the left of the page. To limit a search to TCEQ content, enter "www.tceq.texas.gov" or "www.tceq.state.tx.us" into the “From the Host” search box.
  2. Refine your search to narrow down results. The other search boxes on the left of the page allow for search terms to be included, excluded, or used in an exact phrase search. Date ranges can be used as well.

Summary Table of TMDLs, Addendums, and Updates

All linked files in the table below are provided in PDF Adobe Acrobat PDF Document

TMDLs Addendums Updates

Armand Bayou

 Six Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Armand Bayou
Segments: 1113, 1113A, 1113B, 1113C, 1113D, and 1113E
Assessment Units: 1113_02, 1113A_01, 1113B_01, 1113C_01, 1113D_01, and 1113E_01

 Response to Public Comment on the Armand Bayou TMDLs

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 TMDL Addendum I: One TMDL for Indicator Bacteria in Armand Bayou
Segment: 1113
Assessment Unit: 1113_03

Submitted in the October 2018 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved it in February 2019.

 

Brays Bayou

 Five Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Brays Bayou Above Tidal and Tributaries
Segments: 1007B, 1007C, 1007E, and 1007L
Assessment Units: 1007B_01, 1007B_02, 1007C_01, 1007E_01, and 1007L_01

 Response to Public Comment on the Brays Bayou TMDLs

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TMDL Addendum I: Three TMDLs for Brays Bayou Watershed
Segments: 1007S, 1007T, and 1007U
Assessment Units: 1007S_01, 1007T_01, and 1007U _01

Submitted in the April 2013 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved it in August 2013.


TMDL Addendum II: One TMDL for Harris County Flood Control Ditch D 138
Segment: 1007W
Assessment Unit: 1007W_01

Submitted in the January 2021 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved it in July 2021.

  • April 2022, Appendix I, pages 18-19
  • January 2022, Appendix I, pages 10-11
  • January 2016, Appendix I, pages 10-11
  • January 2013, Appendix II, page 11
  • January 2011, Appendix II, pages 12-13

Buffalo and Whiteoak Bayous

 Eighteen Total Maximum Daily Loads for Bacteria in Buffalo and Whiteoak Bayous and Tributaries
Segments: 1013, 1013A, 1013C, 1014, 1014A, 1014B, 1014E, 1014H, 1014K, 1014L, 1014M, 1014N, 1014O, 1017, 1017A, 1017B, 1017D, and 1017E
Assessment Units: 1013_01, 1013A_01, 1013C_01, 1014_01, 1014A_01, 1014B_01, 1014E_01, 1014H_01, 1014H_02, 1014K_01, 1014K_02, 1014L_01, 1014M_01, 1014N_01, 1014O_01, 1017_01, 1017_02, 1017_03, 1017_04, 1017A_01, 1017B_02, 1017D_01, 1017E_01

 Response to Public Comment on the Buffalo and Whiteoak Bayous TMDLs

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 TMDL Addendum I: One TMDL for Bacteria in Vogel Creek
Segment: 1017C
Assessment Unit: 1017C_01

Submitted to EPA in the April 2013 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved it in August 2013.

 TMDL Addendum II: One TMDL for Bacteria in Rolling Fork Creek
Segment: 1017F
Assessment Unit: 1017F_01

Submitted to EPA in the April 2015 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved it in July 2015.

 TMDL Addendum III: One TMDL for Bacteria in Horsepen Creek
Segment: 1014C
Assessment Unit: 1014C_01

Submitted to EPA in the January 2021 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved it in July 2021.

  • July 2022, Appendix I, pages 17-18
  • April 2022, Appendix II, pages 20-21
  • January 2022, Appendix II, pages 12-14
  • October 2021, Appendix I, pages 16-17
  • April 2021, Appendix I, pages 14-15
  • January 2021, Appendix I, pages 11-13
  • April 2020, Appendix I, pages 12-13
  • January 2020, Appendix I, pages 13-14
  • July 2019, Appendix I, pages 11-12
  • April 2018, Appendix I, pages 12-13
  • January 2018, Appendix I, pages 10-11
  • April 2017, Appendix I, pages 11-12
  • July 2016, Appendix I, page 11
  • April 2016, Appendix I, page 11
  • January 2016, Appendix II, page 12
  • October 2015, Appendix I, page 7
  • July 2015, Appendix I, page 11
  • April 2015, Appendix II, pages 10-11
  • January 2015, Appendix I, page 11
  • October 2014, Appendix I, pages 11-12
  • July 2014, Appendix I, pages 7-8
  • April 2014, Appendix I, pages 11-12
  • January 2014, Appendix I, pages 10-11
  • October 2013, Appendix I, pages 12-13
  • April 2013, Appendix I, page 11
  • January 2013, Appendix I, pages 9-10
  • July 2012, Appendix I, pages 10-11
  • January 2012, Appendix I, pages 11-13
  • January 2011, Appendix I, page 11
  • April 2010, Appendix I, pages 10-15

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
Assessment Units: 1101_01, 1101_02, 1101_03, 1101B_01, 1101B_02 1101D_01, 1101D_02, 1102_01, 1102_02, 1102_03, 1102_04 , 1102_05, 1102A_01, 1102A_02, 1102B_01, 1102C_01, 1102D_01, 1102E_01

 Response to Public Comment on the Clear Creek TMDLs

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 TMDL Addendum I: Four TMDLs for Indicator Bacteria in Clear Creek Watershed
Segments: 1101A, 1101C, 1101E, and 1102G
Assessment Units: 1101A_01, 1101C_01, 1101E_01,and 1102G_01

Submitted in the October 2012 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved it in March 2013.

 TMDL Addendum II: One TMDL for Indicator Bacteria in Mary's Creek Bypass
Segment: 1102F
Assessment Unit: 1102F_01

Submitted in the October 2018 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved it in February 2019.

  • January 2022, Appendix III, pages 15-16
  • July 2021, Appendix I, pages 12-13
  • July 2018, Appendix I, pages 12-14
  • July 2016, Appendix II, pages 12-15
  • April 2016, Appendix II, pages 12-13
  • January 2016, Appendix IV, pages 14-15
  • July 2014, Appendix II, page 9
  • July 2011, Appendix I, pages 11-12
  • April 2009, Appendix I, pages 13-15

Eastern Houston Watersheds

 Thirteen Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Eastern Houston Watersheds
Segments: 1006F, 1006H, 1007F, 1007G, 1007H, 1007I, 1007K, 1007M, 1007O, and 1007R
Assessment Units: 1006F_01, 1006H_01, 1007F_01, 1007G_01, 1007H_01, 1007I_01, 1007K_01, 1007M_01, 1007O_01, 1007R_01, 1007R_02, 1007R_03, and 1007R_04

 Response to Public Comment on the Eastern Houston Watersheds TMDLs

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 TMDL Addendum I: One TMDL for Eastern Houston Watersheds
Segment: 1007V
Assessment Unit: 1007V_01

Submitted in the April 2013 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved it in August 2013.

  • January 2016, Appendix V, page 16
  • October 2015, Appendix II, pages 8-9
  • January 2011, Appendix III, pages 14-15

Greens Bayou

 Eight Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Greens Bayou Above Tidal and Tributaries
Segments: 1016, 1016A, 1016B, 1016C, and 1016D
Assessment Units: 1016_01, 1016_02, 1016_03, 1016A_02, 1016A_03, 1016B_01, 1016C_01, and 1016D_01

 Response to Public Comment on the Greens Bayou TMDLs

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  • January 2022, Appendix IV, pages 17-18
  • October 2021, Appendix II, pages 14-15
  • April 2018, Appendix II, page 14
  • April 2017, Appendix II, pages 13-14
  • January 2016, Appendix VI, pages 17-18
  • January 2015, Appendix I, page 12
  • October 2014, Appendix II, page 13
  • April 2014 Update, Appendix II, page 13
  • January 2014 Update, Appendix II, page 12
  • October 2012, Appendix II, pages 34-35
  • January 2012, Appendix II, page 14
  • January 2011, Appendix I, page 11

Halls Bayou and Tributaries

 Four Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Halls Bayou and Tributaries
Segments: 1006D, 1006I, and 1006J
Assessment Units: 1006D_01, 1006D_02, 1006I_01, and 1006J_01

 Response to Public Comment on the Halls Bayou TMDLs

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  • July 2022, Appendix II, pages 19-20
  • October 2021, Appendix III, pages 16-17
  • April 2020, Appendix II, pages 14-15
  • January 2020, Appendix II, page 13
  • July 2015, Appendix IV, pages 15-16
  • October 2014, Appendix III, page 14
  • July 2011, Appendix III, pages 14-15
  • January 2011, Appendix IV, pages 16-17

Jarbo Bayou

 One Total Maximum Daily Load for Indicator Bacteria in Jarbo Bayou
Segment: 2425B
Assessment Unit: 2425B_01

 Response to Public Comment on the Jarbo Bayou TMDL

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Lake Houston Upstream Watersheds

 Fifteen Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Watersheds Upstream of Lake Houston
Segments: 1004E, 1008, 1008H, 1009, 1009C, 1009D, 1009E, 1010, and 1011
Assessment Units: 1004E_02, 1008_02, 1008_03, 1008_04, 1008H_01, 1009_01, 1009_02, 1009_03, 1009_04, 1009C_01, 1009D_01, 1009E_01, 1010_02, 1010_04, and 1011_02

 Response to Public Comment on the Lake Houston Upstream Watersheds TMDLs

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TMDL Addendum I: Six TMDLs for Lake Houston Area Watersheds
Segments: 1008B, 1008C, 1008E, and 1011
Assessment Units: 1008B_01, 1008B_02, 1008C _01, 1008C_02, 1008E_01, and 1011_01

Submitted in the October 2013 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved it in February 2014.


TMDL Addendum II: Two TMDLs for Brushy Creek and Spring Branch
Segments: 1008J and 1010C
Assessment Units: 1008J_01 and 1010C_01

Submitted in the October 2019 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved it March 11, 2020.


TMDL Addendum III: One TMDL for Walnut Creek
Segment: 1008I
Assessment Unit: 1008I_01

Submitted in the October 2020 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved it March 8, 2021.

TMDL Addendum IV: One TMDL for Caney Creek
Segment: 1010
Assessment Unit: 1010_03

Submitted in the April 2022 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved it August 11, 2022.

  • July 2022, Appendix III, pages 21-25
  • April 2022, Appendix IV, pages 26-29
  • January 2022, Appendix V, pages 19-21
  • October 2021, Appendix IV, pages 22-24
  • July 2021, Appendix II, pages 14-15
  • April 2021, Appendix III, pages 18-20
  • October 2020, Appendix IV, pages 18-20
  • April 2020, Appendix III, pages 16-19
  • January 2020, Appendix III, pages 14-16
  • October 2019, Appendix I, pages 11-12
  • July 2019, Appendix I, pages 16-18
  • Terra Verde 2019, Appendix I, page 6
  • July 2018, Appendix II, pages 15-18
  • April 2018, Appendix III, pages 15-16
  • January 2018, Appendix II, pages 12-13
  • October 2017, Appendix I, pages 10-12
  • July 2017, Appendix I, pages 11-13
  • April 2017, Appendix III, pages 15-16
  • October 2016, Appendix I, pages 11-12
  • July 2016, Appendix IV, pages 44-45
  • April 2016, Appendix V, pages 17-18
  • January 2016, Appendix VII, pages 19-20
  • October 2015, Appendix III, pages 10-11
  • July 2015, Appendix V, pages 17-18
  • April 2015, Appendix IV, pages 30-31
  • January 2015, Appendix I, page 13
  • October 2014, Appendix IV, pages 15-16
  • July 2014, Appendix IV, pages 17-18
  • April 2014, Appendix III, pages 14-16
  • January 2014, Appendix III, pages 13-16
  • October 2013, Appendix II, pages 14-16
  • April 2013, Appendix II, pages 12-13
  • January 2013, Appendix III, pages 12-13
  • October 2012, Appendix III, pages 36-38
  • July 2012, Appendix II, pages 12-13
  • January 2012, Appendix III, page 15
  • October 2011, Appendix III, pages 20-21
  • July 2011, Appendix IV, page 16-27

San Jacinto River, East and West Forks; Lake Houston; and Crystal Creek

 Seven Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in the East and West Forks of the San Jacinto River, Lake Houston, and Crystal Creek Watersheds
Segments: 1002, 1003, 1004, and 1004D
Assessment Units: 1002_06, 1003_01, 1003_02, 1003_03, 1004_01, 1004_02, and 1004D_01

Response to Public Comment on the East and West Fork San Jacinto River TMDLs

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 TMDL Addendum I: One TMDL for Indicator Bacteria in Mound Creek
Segment: 1015A
Assessment Unit: 1015A_01

Submitted in the October 2018 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved it in February 2019.

  TMDL Addendum II: One TMDL for Indicator Bacteria in White Oak Creek
Segment: 1004J
Assessment Unit: 1004J_01

Submitted in the January 2023 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved it in May 2023.

  • April 2022, Appendix III, pages 22-25
  • January 2022, Appendix VI, pages 22-23
  • October 2021, Appendix III, pages 20-21
  • July 2021, Appendix II, pages 14-15
  • April 2021, Appendix IV, pages 21-22
  • October 2020, Appendix II, page 22
  • April 2020, Appendix IV, pages 20-21
  • January 2020, Appendix IV, page 17
  • July 2019, Appendix I, pages 19-20
  • July 2018, Appendix III, pages 19-20
  • January 2018, Appendix III, page 14
  • January 2017, Appendix I, pages 11-13

Sims Bayous and Tributary

 Four Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Sims Bayou Above Tidal and Tributary
Segments: 1007D and 1007N
Assessment Units: 1007D_01, 1007D_02, 1007D_03, and 1007N_01

 Response to Public Comment on the Sims Bayou TMDLs

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 TMDL Addendum I: One TMDL for Sims Bayou Watershed
Segment: 1007A
Assessment Unit: 1007A_01

Submitted in the April 2013 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved it in August 2013.

  • April 2018, Appendix IV, pages 17-18
  • January 2016, Appendix IX, pages 23-24
  • July 2011, Appendix V, pages 28-29
  • January 2011, Appendix V, pages 18-19

Contact the TMDL Program

Please email tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and mention the Houston-Galveston bacteria project in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.

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