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:
- Background and Goals
- Status of Activities
- Get Involved
- Approved Implementation Plan
- Adopted Total Maximum Daily Loads
- Reports
- For More Information
Background and Goals
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.
Back to topStatus of Activities
TCEQ provides opportunities for stakeholders to report on progress and changes in the watershed. Tracking of implementation progress allows stakeholders to evaluate actions taken, identify actions that may not be working, and make any changes as necessary.
Get Involved
Stakeholders in the watershed formed the Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership
to implement activities that improve water quality in Dickinson Bayou. The TCEQ worked with this existing forum to participate with the public in developing the TMDLs and I-Plan. Other partners include the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the Galveston Bay Estuary Program, and the Texas Cooperative Extension. Contact us about ways to get involved by e-mail at tmdl@tceq.texas.gov or by phone at 512-239-6682 and mention the Dickinson Bayou TMDL project.
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.
- Eight Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Dickinson Bayou and Three Tidal Tributaries
Segments: 1103, 1103A, 1103B, 1103C, and 1104; Assessment Units: 1103_02, 1103_03, 1103_04, 1103A_01, 1103B_01, 1103C_01, 1104_01, and 1104_02
Revisions to TMDLs
From time to time, it is necessary to revise TMDLs to account for changing conditions in the watershed. Revisions to 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.
- Addendums 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 adopted by the commission.
Both updates and addendums are provided in the same units of measure used in the original TMDL.
Addendums
Additional TMDLs for Dickinson Bayou have been added by addendum.
- TMDL Addendum One: Three TMDLs for Bacteria in Dickinson Bayou
Segments: 1103, 1103D, and 1103E; Assessment Units: 1103_01, 1103D_01, and 1103E_01
July 2016 WQMP Update, Approved by EPA September 30, 2016
Updates
Revisions to the TMDL are documented an appendix in the approved WQMP update 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.
