Arroyo Colorado: Surveying Recreational Uses
Counties: Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy
Parameter: Bacteria
Basin: Nueces–Rio Grande Coastal
Segment: 2202
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Project Description and Goal
Texas protects the quality of most of the state’s surface waters to make them safe for recreational uses. Activities during which a person might ingest natural waters—such as wading or swimming—are referred to as the “contact recreation” use in the state’s standards for water quality. The goal of this project was to evaluate what the appropriate contact recreation use level for the Arroyo Colorado.
The Arroyo Colorado is a distributary channel of the Rio Grande that extends about 90 miles from Mission, Texas, to the Laguna Madre in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The Arroyo Colorado is the major source of fresh water to the lower Laguna, which is an economically and ecologically important resource to the region. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and several county and city parks are located within the Arroyo Colorado watershed. One third of the stream is also used for shipping from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway to the Port of Harlingen.
The fertile farmland, long growing season, and irrigation water from the Rio Grande make this region one of the most productive agricultural areas in the U.S. The mild climate, semitropical plants and animals, and many recreational opportunities draw large numbers of people to the Arroyo Colorado watershed.
For an overview of water quality standards and management, read the TCEQ’s publication Preserving and Improving Water Quality.
Back to topStatus and Results
TCEQ and the Nueces River Authority conducted a recreational use-attainability analysis (RUAA) to evaluate which of the state's four recreational use categories was most appropriate for the Arroyo Colorado. Project staff conducted interviews with many people in the watershed to find out how residents used the Arroyo for recreations. Staff also collected data about stream flow, stream depth, and other physical conditions that are necessary for safe recreational use. The analysis indicated that the most appropriate use was likely secondary contact recreation.
Public Participation
Local participation was crucial to identifying the locations most used for contact recreation. TCEQ informed the public about this project through the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership Steering Committee, at other public meetings in the watershed, and with notices in print and electronic media. All meetings about the project were open to everyone.
Meeting Summaries
- July 22, 2010
- April 22, 2010
Contact the TMDL Program
Please email tmdl@tceq.texas.gov and mention the Arroyo Colorado in the subject line. To learn more about the recreational use category assigned to the Arroyo Colorado, contact the Standards Program at standards@tceq.state.tx.us. Or call the Water Quality Planning Division at 512-239-6682.
