Sandy and Wolf Creeks
Counties: Jasper, Tyler
Parameter: Bacteria
Basin: Neches River
Segment: 0603A, 0603B
Assessment Units (AUs): 0603A_01, 0603B_01
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Background and Goals
The watersheds of Sandy Creek and Wolf Creek lie in the gulf coast region of east Texas in the Neches River Basin. Both creeks are tributaries of B.A. Steinhagen Lake. The Sandy Creek watershed is in Jasper County and includes the city of Jasper. The Wolf Creek watershed is in Tyler County and includes the city of Colmesnell.
High concentrations of bacteria, which are found in both human and animal waste, have been observed in Sandy Creek (Segment 0603A, AU 0603A_01) and Wolf Creek (Segment 0603B, AU 0603B_01). The presence of these bacteria may indicate a health risk to people who swim or wade in the creeks—activities referred to as “contact recreation” in the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards.
The goal of this project is to improve water quality to protect recreational uses. Toward that goal, the TCEQ and stakeholders are developing a TMDL and an I-Plan to reduce bacteria in Sandy and Wolf Creeks.
Back to topGet Involved
Staff from the Texas Water Resources Institute have been 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 TWRI's Meetings webpage , which includes all the meetings TWRI hosts for TMDL projects in the Neches River Basin.
Meeting Records
Records for some of the stakeholder meetings are available below. Records of other meetings are available on TWRI's Meetings webpage , which includes all the meetings TWRI hosts for TMDL projects in the Neches River Basin.
- May 17, 2021
- September 1, 2020
- November 21, 2019
Adopted I-Plan
Community stakeholders worked together to create the I-Plan. The Commission approved the stakeholders' plan on June 14, 2023.
- Implementation Plan for Two Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Sandy Creek and Wolf Creek
- Response to Public Comment: I-Plan for Sandy and Wolf creeks
Status 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.
Adopted TMDLs
The Commission adopted these TMDLs on May 18, 2022. On August 18, 2022 the EPA approved the TMDLs, at which time they became part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan. Learn more about the Texas Water Quality Management Program.
Reports
- Technical Support Document, Revised June 2020
- TWRI's Summer 2020 Project Newsletter
- 2023 Implementation Status Update
Contact the TMDL Program
Please email tmdl@tceq.texas.gov and mention Sandy and Wolf creeks in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
