Neches River Tidal

Photo courtesy of the
Texas Water Resources Institute
Counties: Jefferson, Orange
Parameter: Bacteria
Basin: Neches River
Segment: 0601
Assessment Units (AUs): 0601_01, 0601_02, 0601_03, and 0601_04
On this page:
Background and Goals
The Neches River Tidal watershed lies in the gulf coast region of east Texas in the Neches River Basin. The watershed includes portions of Jefferson and Orange counties. Beaumont, Vidor, and Port Neches are some of the cities in the watershed.
High concentrations of bacteria, which are found in both human and animal waste, have been observed in the Neches River Tidal portion of the river (Segment 0601). The presence of these bacteria may indicate a health risk to people who swim or wade in the river—activities referred to as “contact recreation” in the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards.
The goal of this project is to improve water quality in order to protect recreational uses. Toward that goal, the TCEQ and stakeholders are developing TMDLs to reduce bacteria in Neches River Tidal and a coordinated I-Plan for the Neches River Tidal and Hillebrandt Bayou watersheds.
Get Involved
Staff from the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) are working with communities, interest groups, and local organizations to distribute information about this project and involve stakeholders in developing the I-Plan for watershed improvement. All public meetings about this project are open to anyone interested. Watch for meeting announcements here and on the TWRI website .
Meeting Records
- May 17, 2021
- August 19, 2020
- August 14, 2020
- April 9, 2020
- Meeting Summary
- Presentation: Water Quality Planning and Implementation in Texas
- Presentation: Water Quality Planning for Neches River Tidal and Hillebrandt Bayou
- Presentation: Hillebrandt Bayou Technical Support Document
- August 22, 2019
- Meeting Summary
- Presentation: Water Quality Planning and Implementation in Texas
- Presentation: Hillebrandt Bayou And Neches Tidal Project Update
- Presentation: TMDL Implementation In Texas


Reports
For More Information
Please email tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and mention the Neches River Tidal bacteria project in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
