Rocky Creek and Salado Creek
Counties: Bell, Burnet, Williamson
Parameter: Dissolved oxygen
Basin: Brazos River
Segments: 1217A, 1243
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Background and Goals
In Rocky Creek and Salado Creek in the middle Brazos River Basin, water quality testing indicated that low dissolved oxygen levels were not optimal for supporting a healthy aquatic community. Both watersheds are wholly or partially located in the Edwards Plateau region. Land use in these rural watersheds consists predominantly of broad rangeland areas with some cropland use. Urban development is greatest in the Salado Creek watershed.
Project staff evaluated the sources of oxygen-demanding materials and their impacts on dissolved oxygen in the two creeks. The purpose of the project was to determine the best strategy for managing water quality in the creeks.
Back to topPublic Participation
To involve stakeholders in this project, the TCEQ worked with an existing forum—the Brazos River Authority Steering Committee, which was established under the Texas Clean Rivers Program. The steering committee includes representatives from state and federal agencies, cities, industries, citizen groups, local governments, universities, water districts, agriculture groups, and other water user groups.
Status
All dissolved oxygen measurements taken in Salado Creek were in compliance with the water quality standards. All measurements in Rocky Creek were in compliance with the water quality standards, with the exception of one station on the North Fork Rocky Creek.
Biological data collected subsequently from the North Fork of Rocky Creek indicate that the creek supports a relatively healthy biological community, better than would be expected based upon the results of the dissolved oxygen monitoring.
Salado and Rocky creeks were removed from the state’s 303(d) list of impaired waters in 2006. In 2010, TCEQ adopted revised, site-specific standards for dissolved oxygen in Rocky and Salado creeks. EPA approved those revisions.
Contact the TMDL Program
Please email tmdl@tceq.texas.gov and mention the Middle Brazos River project in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
