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Clear Creek: Developing a Watershed Protection Plan

The Houston-Galveston Area Council developed a watershed protection plan for the Clear Creek watershed to address water quality issues.

Map of the Clear Creek watershed showing stream segments.

On this page:

Project Area

River Basin: San Jacinto-Brazos Coastal

Water Bodies: Clear Creek (Segments 1101, 1101A, 1101B, 1101C, 1101D, 1101E, 1101F, 1102, 1102A, 1102B, 1102C, 1102D, 1102E, 1102F, and 1102G)

Location: Cities of Houston, Brookside Village, Pearland, Friendswood, League City, Webster, Nassau Bay, Manvel, Missouri City, Fresno, and Alvin

Background

The Clear Creek watershed in Harris, Brazoria, Galveston, and Fort Bend counties includes 172 square miles of mixed land uses—from urbanized coastal areas to the east and being on the edge of growth to the west.

Clear Creek and its tributaries face water quality challenges like many of the waterways in the Houston area and the coastal watersheds of the Galveston Bay system specifically. The watershed does not meet all water quality standards because of high fecal bacteria concentrations that prevent attaining its primary contact recreation use. The watershed also has concerns for low dissolved oxygen. Further urban development in the watershed, especially in its western extent, is expected to increase nonpoint source pollution and exacerbate existing water quality issues.

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Project Description

January 2021 – February 2024

The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) led development of the watershed protection plan (WPP) and facilitated a watershed partnership representing all stakeholders in the project area. H-GAC project activities:

  • Held regular stakeholder meetings.
  • Coordinated with local partners.
  • Promoted the project via the press, direct contact, social media, and other appropriate means.
  • Conducted water quality analyses for all parameters of concern and other relevant parameters with data from various sources.
  • Conducted modeling analyses to estimate the amount of pollutants entering the watershed.
  • Identified improvements needed to meet state standards.

The council also coordinated with local partners on targeted efforts:

  • Hosting education events.
  • Partnering on other joint events.
  • Promoting related partner programs.
  • Attending local events and meetings.

EPA accepted the Clear Creek WPP on July 19, 2024.

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For More Information

Houston-Galveston Area Council Watershed-based Plans

Clear Creek Watershed Partnership

To find out more about the NPS Program, call 512-239-6682 or email us at nps@tceq.texas.gov.

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