Lavon Lake: Implementing a Watershed Protection Plan
North Texas Municipal Water District implemented the Lavon Lake Watershed Protection Plan by constructing green infrastructure to reduce stormwater and pollutants entering the watershed.
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Project Area
River Basin: Trinity
Water Body: Lavon Lake (0821), Pilot Grove Creek (0821A), Sister Grove Creek (0821B), Wilson Creek (0821C), and East Fork of the Trinity River (0821D)
Location: Cities of Wiley and McKinney
Background
Lavon Lake is the primary source of water for the North Texas Municipal Water District (the Water District) which serves 90 communities and 1.6 million residents. Lavon Lake has not had any water quality concerns since 2016, but several of its tributaries have though. Two of the larger tributaries—Wilson Creek and the East Fork Trinity River—have not met all water quality standards since 2010, because bacteria concentrations exceed the primary contact recreation use criteria. Sister Grove Creek has concerns for elevated bacteria and low dissolved oxygen, and Pilot Creek has a concern for elevated bacteria.
In 2016, the Water District, the Lavon Lake Watershed Partnership, and stakeholders developed the Lavon Lake Watershed Protection Plan to address these concerns. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency accepted the plan in December 2017. The plan identified urban runoff as a major source of bacteria pollution.
Back to topProject Description
September 2019 – August 2024
The Water District implemented green infrastructure elements (bioswales, rain garden, cistern) described in the Lavon Lake Watershed Protection Plan. Green infrastructure incorporates stormwater controls into new and existing development to reduce the amount of stormwater and pollutants entering the watershed. The Water District provided tours and workshops to promote the features and educate the public. A green infrastructure manual was also developed to provide technical resources and encourage the construction of these features.
For More Information
To find out more about the NPS Program, call 512-239-6682 or email us at nps@tceq.texas.gov.