Thompsons Creek: Developing a Watershed Protection Plan
Texas Water Resources Institute will develop a watershed protection plan for the Thompsons Creek watershed to address water quality issues.
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Project Area
River Basin: Brazos
Water Body: Cottonwood Branch (1242B and 1242G), Still Creek (1242C), and Thompsons Creek (1242D)
Location: Brazos County, Cities of Bryan and College Station
Background
The Thompsons Creek watershed lies within the greater Brazos River above the Navasota watershed. Since 2002, portions of Thompsons Creek and its tributaries have not met all water quality standards for primary contact recreation use due to high bacteria concentrations. The upper section of Thompsons Creek has also not met state water quality standards for aquatic-life use due to low levels of dissolved oxygen.
The Thompsons Creek watershed has recreational and aesthetic values for residents who use the creek for swimming and fishing throughout the year. While much of the watershed is still predominantly rural, the City of Bryan continues to develop and expand westward, adding further environmental stress to the watershed. To address the water quality issues it’s critical to engage stakeholders in establishing water quality goals and targets for the watershed through the development of a watershed protection plan (WPP).
Back to topProject Description
July 2023 – August 2025
Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) will assess potential pollutants by reviewing an existing watershed characterization report and update it with new water quality data, point and non-point sources, land use data, and known stressors influencing water quality. TWRI will use the updated information and stakeholder input to develop a WPP that establishes goals, objectives, management measures, and an implementation timeline.
For More Information
TWRI’s Thompsons Creek WPP Development webpage
To find out more about the NPS Program, call 512-239-6682 or email us at nps@tceq.texas.gov.