East Fork San Jacinto River: Developing a Watershed Protection Plan
The Houston-Galveston Area Council will develop a watershed protection plan for the East Fork San Jacinto River watershed to address water quality issues.
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Project Area
River Basin: San Jacinto
Water Body: East Fork San Jacinto (1003), Winters Bayou (1003A), Nebletts Creek (1003B), and Boswell Creek (1003C)
Location: Cities of Houston, Splendora, Roman Forest, Huntsville, North Cleveland, Cleveland, and Plum Grove
Background
The East Fork San Jacinto watershed in Harris, Walker, Montgomery, Liberty, and San Jacinto counties includes 410.5 square miles of mixed land uses—from small urban centers to natural landscapes—within the Sam Houston National Forest. The East Fork of the San Jacinto River (East Fork) is part of the larger San Jacinto River Basin above Lake Houston, a vital source of drinking water, recreation, and wildlife habitat for the Houston region.
Boswell Creek did not meet state water quality standards for primary contact recreation due to high levels of fecal bacteria. Winters Bayou was listed in the 2020 Texas Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality because of a concern for high bacteria levels. Increasing urban development in the watershed is expected to exacerbate nonpoint source pollution and water quality issues.
Project Description
October 2021 – August 2024
The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) will lead development of the watershed protection plan (WPP) and facilitate a watershed partnership representing all stakeholders in the project area. H-GAC Activities:
- Hold regular stakeholder meetings.
- Coordinate with local partners.
- Promote the project via the press, direct contact, social media, and other appropriate means.
- Conduct water quality analyses for all parameters of concern and other relevant parameters with data from various sources.
- Conduct modeling analyses to estimate the amount of pollutants entering the watershed.
- Identify improvements needed to meet state standards.
The council will also coordinate with local partners to:
- Conduct targeted education events.
- Partner on other joint events.
- Promote related partner programs.
- Attend local events and meetings.
For More Information
Houston-Galveston Area Council Watershed-based Plans
East Fork San Jacinto Watershed Partnership
To find out more about the NPS Program, call 512-239-6682 or email us at nps@tceq.texas.gov.