Dickinson Bayou: Implementing a Plan to Protect Recreational Uses
County: Galveston
Parameter: Bacteria
Basin: San Jacinto–Brazos Coastal
Segments: 1103, 1103A, 1103B, 1103C, 1103D, 1103E, 1104
On this page:
- Summary
- Get Involved
- Approved Implementation Plan
- Adopted Total Maximum Daily Loads
- Reports
- For More Information
Summary
High concentrations of bacteria measured in Dickinson Bayou Tidal, Segment 1103, and four of its tributaries might pose a health risk for people who swim or wade in the bayou. Bacteria from human and animal waste may indicate the presence of disease-causing microorganisms that may cause illness. Swimming and other forms of recreation in which people come into direct contact with the water are referred to as contact recreation in the state's standards for the quality of streams, lakes, and bays.
The TMDL project characterized the sources of bacteria in the watershed of the bayou and stakeholders developed a plan to improve water quality. The goal of the TMDL is to reduce bacteria concentrations to within acceptable risk levels for contact recreation.
In a parallel effort, the TCEQ partnered with Texas AgriLife and a group of local watershed stakeholders, known as the Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership, to develop a watershed protection plan (WPP) for Dickinson Bayou. A draft of the WPP was completed and submitted to the EPA for approval. The EPA recommended several revisions to the plan, but gave preliminary approval to implement several major projects included in it. The TCEQ is working with the Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership to revise the plan and address EPA comments.
Return to topGet Involved
Stakeholders in the watershed formed the Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership 
to implement activities that improve water quality in Dickinson Bayou. Meeting information and records are available on the Partnership’s website . The TCEQ worked with this existing forum to participate with the public in developing the TMDLs and Implementation Plan (I-Plan). Other partners include the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the Galveston Bay Estuary Program, and the Texas Cooperative Extension.
Approved Implementation Plan
The commission approved this stakeholder-developed I-Plan on January 15, 2014.
- Implementation Plan for Eight Total Maximum Daily Loads for Bacteria in Dickinson Bayou
- Response to Public Comment on the I-Plan
Adopted Total Maximum Daily Loads
On February 8, 2012, the commission adopted these TMDLs. On June 6, 2012, the EPA approved the TMDLs, at which time they became part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan. Learn more about the Water Quality Management Plan.
Revisions to TMDLs
From time to time, it is necessary to revise TMDLs to account for changing conditions in the watershed. Revisions to the load allocations in TMDLs are made via the state’s Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP), which is updated quarterly.
The WQMP provides projected effluent limits for use in planning and permitting activities under the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES). The TCEQ reviews all applications for new and amended permits for conformance with applicable portions of the WQMP, including adopted TMDLs.
Revisions are made to TMDLs in one of two ways:
- Updates are made to account for changing conditions in the watershed, such as new or revised wasteload allocations, permits that have been canceled or have expired, or changed facility names.
- Addenda are created to add load allocations for assessment units that are impaired by the same pollutant or condition, within the same watershed as in the original TMDL report.
Both updates and addenda are provided in the same units of measure used in the original TMDL.
Addenda
Additional TMDLs for Dickinson Bayou have been added by addendum.
- TMDL Addendum One: Three TMDLs for Bacteria in Dickinson Bayou
July 2016 WQMP Update, Approved by EPA September 30, 2016
Updates
Revisions to the TMDL are documented in the approved WQMP updates listed below.
- April 2016, Appendix IV, pages 15-16
Reports
- Final Technical Support Document, 2015, TMDL Amendment
- Final Technical Support Document, 2012, original TMDLs
For More Information
Please e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and mention the Dickinson Bayou Bacteria TMDL in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
