Big Creek
Photo Courtesy of the
Houston-Galveston Area Council
Counties: Fort Bend
Parameter: Bacteria
Basin: Brazos River
Segment: 1202J
Assessment Unit (AU): 1202J_01, 1202J_02
On this page:
- Background and Goal
- Watershed Description
- Get Involved
- Draft I-Plan NEW
- Adopted TMDLs
- Project Status
- Reports
- Contact the TMDL Program
Background and Goal
Since 2002, high concentrations of bacteria, which are found in both human and animal waste, have been observed in the Big Creek in Fort Bend County. The presence of these bacteria may indicate a health risk to people who swim or wade in the creek—activities referred to as “contact recreation”—in the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards.
Bacteria are commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded organisms such as humans, livestock, poultry, cats, and dogs. Bacteria from human and animal waste often indicate the presence of disease-causing microorganisms, which can pose a health threat to people who engage in contact recreation.
The goal of this project is to improve water quality in order to protect recreational uses. Toward that goal, TCEQ and stakeholders are developing a TMDL and an I-Plan to reduce bacteria in Big Creek.
Learn more about water quality standards, monitoring, and TMDLs by reading Preserving and Improving Water Quality, available on our website and in print.
Watershed Description
Big Creek (Segment 1202J) is a tributary of the Brazos River in Fort Bend County. The segment has two AUs—1202J_01 and 1202J_02, both of which are listed as impaired in the 2022 Integrated Report on Surface Water Quality.
The project watershed drains approximately 222 square miles of mixed urban, agricultural, and undeveloped rural land uses. The watershed includes portions of the cities of Richmond and Rosenberg, and there are several smaller communities.
Get Involved
In all its projects, TCEQ gathers opinions and information from people who represent government, permitted facilities, agriculture, business, environmental, and community and private interests in the watershed. Stakeholders are a key part of developing solutions for Big Creek. They are advising TCEQ on the TMDL allocations and will develop the I-Plan.
A public comment meeting occurred on Dec. 12, 2024 at the George Memorial Library. Stakeholders can submit comments on the document through the online comment portal until Dec. 30, 2024. Responses to comments received will be posted after TCEQ Approval.
Draft I-Plan
Community stakeholders worked together to create the draft I-Plan.
- Draft I-Plan for Two Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Big Creek
- Public Notice in English
- Public Notice in Spanish
Adopted TMDLs
The Commission adopted these TMDLs on August 14, 2024. EPA approved them on September 26, 2024, at which time they became an update to the state's Water Quality Management Plan.
Project Status
TCEQ and H-GAC began work on this project in 2018 as part of a larger regional assessment of water quality the Houston-Galveston area. H-GAC completed a watershed characterization report that was used by TCEQ and stakeholders to decide whether it was necessary to develop TMDLs for Big Creek. In August 2024, the TMDLs were adopted by the Commission, and the draft I-Plan is currently in house or review.
Reports
Contact the TMDL Program
Please email tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and mention the Big Creek bacteria project in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
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