Guadalupe-Blanco River: Continuous Water Quality Monitoring
Background
The Guadalupe River Basin Monitoring Network was formed in response to water quality impairments and concerns within the Guadalupe River Basin. The goal of the network is to create continuous-water-quality-monitoring (CWQM) stations throughout the basin to determine existing water quality conditions and monitor for changes. The data from these stations will allow problems to be addressed early on, thus minimizing the effects of pollution on the environment and people.
The Network is a collaborative effort among the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA), the Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust, the United States Geological Survey, and the TCEQ.
Project Description
For this project, new CWQM stations were added to the Network at three locations: on Cypress Creek (near the confluence with the Blanco River); Geronimo Creek (at SH 123 in Guadalupe County); and Sandies Creek (near Cuero). These sites were chosen because each water body has water quality impairments in need of monitoring.
Following this project, interested stakeholders developed watershed protection plans (WPPs) for the Cypress Creek and Geronimo Creek watersheds. The CWQM data helped characterize pollutant sources in the watershed planning efforts. Continuing CWQM monitoring on these creeks helps stakeholders evaluate the effectiveness of best management practices as they implement the WPPs.
The GBRA informed the public about water quality conditions through electronic notifications, educational computer kiosks placed at strategic locations within each watershed, and updates to the GBRA website.
Documents
- Fact Sheet (final)
- Updated QAPP
For More Information
To find out more about the NPS Program, call 512-239-6682 or e-mail us at nps@tceq.texas.gov.