Houston-Galveston Region BIG

The goal of this project is to reduce bacteria levels in waterways of the Houston area to make them safer for recreation. The stakeholders of the Bacteria Implementation Group (BIG) and the TCEQ developed total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for numerous river and lake segments and a regional Implementation Plan (I-Plan), which together are the road map to improving water quality. The TCEQ has adopted the TMDLs and approved the Implementation Plan.

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Background and Goal

Water quality testing found that bacteria concentrations are elevated in numerous waterways in the Houston–Galveston region. High bacteria concentrations might pose a risk to people who swim or wade in natural waters. Swimming and wading are called “contact recreation” in the state’s standards for water quality; the term refers to all recreation in which people are likely to swallow natural waters.

The goal of this project is to reduce bacteria concentrations and protect recreational safety. This project included 72 TMDLs for 60 waterway segments. This area covers approximately 3,260 square miles across 10 counties and 63 cities, including much of the city of Houston. The area has a population of nearly five million people. Several TMDLs and segments have been added since the Implementation Plan was completed.

Watershed Counties: Brazoria, Harris, Fort Bend, Grimes, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Walker, and Waller

Parameter: Bacteria

Status

The commission approved the stakeholder-developed I-Plan on Jan. 30, 2013. This I-Plan was developed by stakeholders in the Bacteria Implementation Group (BIG) .

Watch the BIG video on YouTube. The BIG is a diverse group of committed and concerned people, representing a cross-section of concerned citizens from many disciplines. The group works for better quality water in the area covered by their plan.

Annual Report of Implementation Progress

In mid-2020, the BIG published its most recent Annual Report of progress in reducing bacteria in Houston–Galveston area waterways. Download the latest BIG Annual Reports at the H-GAC's BIG website. See also the Map-based Interactive Progress Report .

Activities

The I-Plan identifies eleven primary strategies for achieving environmental goals. These strategies relate to:

wastewater treatment facilities
on-site sewage facilities
sanitary sewer systems
stormwater and land development
construction
illicit discharges and dumping
agriculture and animals
residential areas
monitoring progress and updating the plan
research
a geographic priority framework

The I-Plan outlines numerous activities under each of these strategies. Read the I-Plan.

Get Involved

The Bacteria Implementation Group (BIG) is coordinating public participation in improving Houston-area waterways. Meetings of the BIG are open to everyone. Meeting records are available on the BIG’s website. Find out more about what it means to Participate in TMDL Projects.

Municipal Utility District
Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority
Bayou Preservation Association
Galveston Bay Foundation
Greater Houston Partnership
Houston Audubon Society
Dodson & Associates, Inc./HCEC
Pate Engineers
The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency
AECOM
Schwartz, Page, & Harding, LLP
LDP Consultants Inc.
Texas Coastal Partners
Lone Star College
US Geological Survey

Approved I-Plan

The commission approved the I-Plan on Jan. 30, 2013. This plan was developed by stakeholders in the Bacteria Implementation Group (BIG)

Implementation Plan for Seventy-Two Total Maximum Daily Loads for Bacteria in the Houston-Galveston Region

This plan originally implemented 72 TMDLs for 60 waterway segments in 10 counties. Other TMDLs and water bodies have since been added. The TMDLs for Armand Bayou were added to the BIG I-Plan by vote of the BIG and the Armand Bayou stakeholders in 2014; the commission approved this action in 2015. The TMDLs for San Jacinto River were added by vote of the BIG and the San Jacinto stakeholders in 2015; the commission approved this action in 2016. The TMDL for Jarbo Bayou was added to the BIG I-Plan by vote of the BIG and the Jarbo Bayou stakeholders in 2015; the commission approved this action in 2018. Several TMDLs have also been added by addenda to the original TMDLs.

Adopted TMDL

On the date of their approval by EPA, all these TMDLs became part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan.

Armand Bayou: The commission adopted these TMDLs on Aug. 5, 2015. The EPA approved them on Oct. 2, 2015. The EPA approved Addendum I to the TMDLs on Feb. 22, 2019.
Brays Bayou watersheds: The commission adopted these TMDLs on Sept. 15, 2010. The EPA approved them on Sept. 27, 2010. The EPA approved an addendum to the TMDLs in August 2013.
Buffalo and Whiteoak Bayous: The commission adopted these TMDLs on April 8, 2009. The EPA approved them on June 11, 2009. The EPA approved Addendum I to the TMDLs in August 2013. The EPA approved Addendum II to the TMDLs in July 2015.
Clear Creek: The commission adopted these TMDLs on Sept. 10, 2008. The EPA approved them on March 6, 2009. The EPA approved an Addendum I to the TMDLs in March 2013. The EPA approved Addendum II to the TMDLs on Feb. 22, 2019.
Eastern Houston watersheds: The commission adopted these TMDLs on Sept. 15, 2010. The EPA approved them on Sept. 27, 2010. The EPA approved Addendum I to the TMDLs in Aug. 2013. The EPA approved Addendum II to these TMDLs on Feb. 22, 2019.
Greens Bayou: The commission adopted these TMDLs on June 2, 2010. The EPA approved them on Aug. 12, 2010.
Halls Bayou: The commission adopted these TMDLs on Sept. 15, 2010. The EPA approved them on Sept. 27, 2010.
Jarbo Bayou: The commission adopted this TMDL on Jan. 24, 2018. The EPA approved the TMDL on March 29, 2018.
Lake Houston Upstream Watersheds: The commission adopted these TMDLs on April 6, 2011. The EPA approved them on June 29, 2011. The EPA approved an addendum to the TMDLs in Feb. 2014.
San Jacinto River, East and West Forks; Lake Houston; and Crystal Creek: The commission adopted these TMDLs on Aug. 24, 2016. The EPA approved them on Oct. 7, 2016. The EPA approved Addendum I to the TMDLs on Feb. 22, 2019.
Sims Bayou: The commission adopted these TMDLs on Sept. 15, 2010. The EPA approved them on Sept. 27, 2010. The EPA approved an addendum to the TMDLs in Aug. 2013.

Revisions to TMDLs

From time to time, it is necessary to revise TMDLs to account for changing conditions in the watershed. Revisions to the load allocations in 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.

Revisions to the TMDLs are documented next to the original TMDL report in the table below. Both updates and addendums are provided in the same units of measure used in the original TMDL.

WQMP updates may be viewed in person at the TCEQ Library, Building A, 12100 Park 35 Circle, Austin, Texas. Electronic versions of updates published from 2014 through the present are available on the Texas State Library and Archives Commission website .

For WQMP updates prior to 2014, use the TRAIL Search engine as outlined below. The main search box on the page will only conduct a simple search with no exclusionary parameters and should not be used.

First, limit your search to TCEQ only. Do this via the advanced search feature on the left of the page. To limit a search to TCEQ content, enter "www.tceq.texas.gov" or "www.tceq.state.tx.us" into the “From the Host” search box.
Refine your search to narrow down results. The other search boxes on the left of the page allow for search terms to be included, excluded, or used in an exact phrase search. Date ranges can be used as well.

All linked files in the table below are provided in PDF

TMDLs	Addenda	Updates
Armand Bayou Six Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Armand Bayou Segments: 1113, 1113A, 1113B, 1113C, 1113D, and 1113E Assessment Units: 1113_02, 1113A_01, 1113B_01, 1113C_01, 1113D_01, and 1113E_01 Response to Public Comment on the Armand Bayou TMDLs	TMDL Addendum I: One TMDL for Indicator Bacteria in Armand Bayou Segment: 1113 Assessment Unit: 1113_03 Submitted in the October 2018 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved it in February 2019.
Brays Bayou Five Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Brays Bayou Above Tidal and Tributaries Segments: 1007B, 1007C, 1007E, and 1007L Assessment Units: 1007B_01, 1007B_02, 1007C_01, 1007E_01, and 1007L_01 Response to Public Comment on the Brays Bayou TMDLs	TMDL Addendum I: Three TMDLs for Brays Bayou Watershed Segments: 1007S, 1007T, and 1007U Assessment Units: 1007S_01, 1007T_01, and 1007U _01 Submitted in April 2013 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved August 2013. TMDL Addendum II: One TMDL for Harris County Flood Control Ditch D 138 Segment: 1007W Assessment Unit: 1007W_01 Submitted in January 2021 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved July 2021.	April 2022, Appendix I, p18-19 January 2022, Appendix I, p 10-11 January 2016, Appendix I, p 10-11 January 2013, Appendix II, p 11 January 2011, Appendix II, p 12-13
Buffalo and Whiteoak Bayous Eighteen Total Maximum Daily Loads for Bacteria in Buffalo and Whiteoak Bayous and Tributaries Segments: 1013, 1013A, 1013C, 1014, 1014A, 1014B, 1014E, 1014H, 1014K, 1014L, 1014M, 1014N, 1014O, 1017, 1017A, 1017B, 1017D, and 1017E Assessment Units: 1013_01, 1013A_01, 1013C_01, 1014_01, 1014A_01, 1014B_01, 1014E_01, 1014H_01, 1014H_02, 1014K_01, 1014K_02, 1014L_01, 1014M_01, 1014N_01, 1014O_01, 1017_01, 1017_02, 1017_03, 1017_04, 1017A_01, 1017B_02, 1017D_01, 1017E_01 Response to Public Comment on the Buffalo and Whiteoak Bayous TMDLs	TMDL Addendum I: One TMDL for Bacteria in Vogel Creek Segment: 1017C Assessment Unit: 1017C_01 Submitted to EPA in April 2013 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved August 2013. TMDL Addendum II: One TMDL for Bacteria in Rolling Fork Creek Segment: 1017F Assessment Unit: 1017F_01 Submitted to EPA in April 2015 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved July 2015. TMDL Addendum III: One TMDL for Bacteria in Horsepen Creek Segment: 1014C Assessment Unit: 1014C_01 Submitted to EPA in January 2021 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved July 2021.	July 2022, Appendix I, p 17-18 April 2022, Appendix II, p 20-21 January 2022, Appendix II, p 12-14 October 2021, Appendix I, p 16-17 April 2021, Appendix I, p 14-15 January 2021, Appendix I, p 11-13 April 2020, Appendix I, p 12-13 January 2020, Appendix I, p 13-14 July 2019, Appendix I, p 11-12 April 2018, Appendix I, p 12-13 January 2018, Appendix I, p 10-11 April 2017, Appendix I, p 11-12 July 2016, Appendix I, p 11 April 2016, Appendix I, p 11 January 2016, Appendix II, p 12 October 2015, Appendix I, p 7 July 2015, Appendix I, p 11 April 2015, Appendix II, p 10-11 January 2015, Appendix I, p 11 October 2014, Appendix I, p 11-12 July 2014, Appendix I, p 7-8 April 2014, Appendix I, p 11-12 January 2014, Appendix I, p 10-11 October 2013, Appendix I, p 12-13 April 2013, Appendix I, p 11 January 2013, Appendix I, p 9-10 July 2012, Appendix I, p 10-11 January 2012, Appendix I, p 11-13 January 2011, Appendix I, p 11 April 2010, Appendix I, p 10-15
Clear Creek Nine Total Maximum Daily Loads for Bacteria in Clear Creek and Tributaries Segments: 1101, 1101B, 1101D, 1102, 1102A, 1102B, 1102C, 1102D, and 1102E Assessment Units: 1101_01, 1101_02, 1101_03, 1101B_01, 1101B_02 1101D_01, 1101D_02, 1102_01, 1102_02, 1102_03, 1102_04 , 1102_05, 1102A_01, 1102A_02, 1102B_01, 1102C_01, 1102D_01, 1102E_01 Response to Public Comment on the Clear Creek TMDLs	TMDL Addendum I: Four TMDLs for Indicator Bacteria in Clear Creek Watershed Segments: 1101A, 1101C, 1101E, and 1102G Assessment Units: 1101A_01, 1101C_01, 1101E_01,and 1102G_01 Submitted in October 2012 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved March 2013. TMDL Addendum II: One TMDL for Indicator Bacteria in Mary's Creek Bypass Segment: 1102F Assessment Unit: 1102F_01 Submitted in October 2018 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved February 2019.	January 2022, Appendix III, p 15-16 July 2021, Appendix I, p 12-13 July 2018, Appendix I, p 12-14 July 2016, Appendix II, p 12-15 April 2016, Appendix II, p 12-13 January 2016, Appendix IV, p 14-15 July 2014, Appendix II, p 9 July 2011, Appendix I, p 11-12 April 2009, Appendix I, p 13-15
Eastern Houston Watersheds Thirteen Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Eastern Houston Watersheds Segments: 1006F, 1006H, 1007F, 1007G, 1007H, 1007I, 1007K, 1007M, 1007O, and 1007R Assessment Units: 1006F_01, 1006H_01, 1007F_01, 1007G_01, 1007H_01, 1007I_01, 1007K_01, 1007M_01, 1007O_01, 1007R_01, 1007R_02, 1007R_03, and 1007R_04 Response to Public Comment on the Eastern Houston Watersheds TMDLs	TMDL Addendum I: One TMDL for Eastern Houston Watersheds Segment: 1007V Assessment Unit: 1007V_01 Submitted in April 2013 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved August 2013.	January 2016, Appendix V, p 16 October 2015, Appendix II, p 8-9 January 2011, Appendix III, p 14-15
Greens Bayou Eight Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Greens Bayou Above Tidal and Tributaries Segments: 1016, 1016A, 1016B, 1016C, and 1016D Assessment Units: 1016_01, 1016_02, 1016_03, 1016A_02, 1016A_03, 1016B_01, 1016C_01, and 1016D_01 Response to Public Comment on the Greens Bayou TMDLs		January 2022, Appendix IV, p 17-18 October 2021, Appendix II, p 14-15 April 2018, Appendix II, p 14 April 2017, Appendix II, p 13-14 January 2016, Appendix VI, p 17-18 January 2015, Appendix I, p 12 October 2014, Appendix II, p 13 April 2014 Update, Appendix II, p 13 January 2014 Update, Appendix II, p 12 October 2012, Appendix II, p 34-35 January 2012, Appendix II, p 14 January 2011, Appendix I, p 11
Halls Bayou and Tributaries Four Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Halls Bayou and Tributaries Segments: 1006D, 1006I, and 1006J Assessment Units: 1006D_01, 1006D_02, 1006I_01, and 1006J_01 Response to Public Comment on the Halls Bayou TMDLs		July 2022, Appendix II, p 19-20 October 2021, Appendix III, p 16-17 April 2020, Appendix II, p 14-15 January 2020, Appendix II, p 13 July 2015, Appendix IV, p 15-16 October 2014, Appendix III, p 14 July 2011, Appendix III, p 14-15 January 2011, Appendix IV, p 16-17
Jarbo Bayou One Total Maximum Daily Load for Indicator Bacteria in Jarbo Bayou Segment: 2425B Assessment Unit: 2425B_01 Response to Public Comment on the Jarbo Bayou TMDL	Addendum I: One TMDL for Indicator Bacteria in Jarbo Bayou Segment: 2425B Assessment Unit: 2425B_02 Submitted in April 2024 update to the WQMP. EPA approved July 2024.
Lake Houston Upstream Watersheds Fifteen Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Watersheds Upstream of Lake Houston Segments: 1004E, 1008, 1008H, 1009, 1009C, 1009D, 1009E, 1010, and 1011 Assessment Units: 1004E_02, 1008_02, 1008_03, 1008_04, 1008H_01, 1009_01, 1009_02, 1009_03, 1009_04, 1009C_01, 1009D_01, 1009E_01, 1010_02, 1010_04, and 1011_02 Response to Public Comment on the Lake Houston Upstream Watersheds TMDLs	TMDL Addendum I: Six TMDLs for Lake Houston Area Watersheds Segments: 1008B, 1008C, 1008E, and 1011 Assessment Units: 1008B_01, 1008B_02, 1008C _01, 1008C_02, 1008E_01, and 1011_01 Submitted in October 2013 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved February 2014. TMDL Addendum II: Two TMDLs for Brushy Creek and Spring Branch Segments: 1008J and 1010C Assessment Units: 1008J_01 and 1010C_01 Submitted in October 2019 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved March 11, 2020. TMDL Addendum III: One TMDL for Walnut Creek Segment: 1008I Assessment Unit: 1008I_01 Submitted in October 2020 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved March 8, 2021. TMDL Addendum IV: One TMDL for Caney Creek Segment: 1010 Assessment Unit: 1010_03 Submitted in April 2022 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved Aug. 11, 2022.	July 2022, Appendix III, p 21-25 April 2022, Appendix IV, p 26-29 January 2022, Appendix V, p 19-21 October 2021, Appendix IV, p 22-24 July 2021, Appendix II, p 14-15 April 2021, Appendix III, p 18-20 October 2020, Appendix IV, p 18-20 April 2020, Appendix III, p 16-19 January 2020, Appendix III, p 14-16 October 2019, Appendix I, p 11-12 July 2019, Appendix I, p 16-18 Terra Verde 2019, Appendix I, p 6 July 2018, Appendix II, p 15-18 April 2018, Appendix III, p 15-16 January 2018, Appendix II, p 12-13 October 2017, Appendix I, p 10-12 July 2017, Appendix I, p 11-13 April 2017, Appendix III, p 15-16 October 2016, Appendix I, p 11-12 July 2016, Appendix IV, p 44-45 April 2016, Appendix V, p 17-18 January 2016, Appendix VII, p 19-20 October 2015, Appendix III, p 10-11 July 2015, Appendix V, p 17-18 April 2015, Appendix IV, p 30-31 January 2015, Appendix I, p 13 October 2014, Appendix IV, p 15-16 July 2014, Appendix IV, p 17-18 April 2014, Appendix III, p 14-16 January 2014, Appendix III, p 13-16 October 2013, Appendix II, p 14-16 April 2013, Appendix II, p 12-13 January 2013, Appendix III, p 12-13 October 2012, Appendix III, p 36-38 July 2012, Appendix II, p 12-13 January 2012, Appendix III, p 15 October 2011, Appendix III, p 20-21 July 2011, Appendix IV, p 16-27
San Jacinto River, East and West Forks; Lake Houston; and Crystal Creek Seven Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in the East and West Forks of the San Jacinto River, Lake Houston, and Crystal Creek Watersheds Segments: 1002, 1003, 1004, and 1004D Assessment Units: 1002_06, 1003_01, 1003_02, 1003_03, 1004_01, 1004_02, and 1004D_01 Response to Public Comment on the East and West Fork San Jacinto River TMDLs	TMDL Addendum I: One TMDL for Indicator Bacteria in Mound Creek Segment: 1015A Assessment Unit: 1015A_01 Submitted in October 2018 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved February 2019. TMDL Addendum II: One TMDL for Indicator Bacteria in White Oak Creek Segment: 1004J Assessment Unit: 1004J_01 Submitted in the January 2023 Update to WQMP. EPA approved May 2023. TMDL Addendum III: One TMDL for Indicator Bacteria in Winters Bayou Assessment Unit: 1003A_01 Submitted in April 2024 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved July 2024	April 2022, Appendix III, p 22-25 January 2022, Appendix VI, p 22-23 October 2021, Appendix III, p 20-21 July 2021, Appendix II, p 14-15 April 2021, Appendix IV, p 21-22 October 2020, Appendix II, p 22 April 2020, Appendix IV, p 20-21 January 2020, Appendix IV, p 17 July 2019, Appendix I, p 19-20 July 2018, Appendix III, p 19-20 January 2018, Appendix III, p 14 January 2017, Appendix I, p 11-13
Sims Bayous and Tributary Four Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Sims Bayou Above Tidal and Tributary Segments: 1007D and 1007N Assessment Units: 1007D_01, 1007D_02, 1007D_03, and 1007N_01 Response to Public Comment on the Sims Bayou TMDLs	TMDL Addendum I: One TMDL for Sims Bayou Watershed Segment: 1007A Assessment Unit: 1007A_01 Submitted in April 2013 Update to the WQMP. EPA approved August 2013.	April 2018, Appendix IV, p 17-18 January 2016, Appendix IX, p 23-24 July 2011, Appendix V, p 28-29 January 2011, Appendix V, p 18-19

Reports and Other Documents

Armand Bayou Reports

Technical Support Document, August 2018
Segment 1113
Technical Support Document, April 2014
Segments 1113, 1113A, 1113B, 1113C, 1113D, and 1113E

Buffalo and Whiteoak Bayous Reports

Technical Support Document for Horsepen Creek, Addendum III (AU 1014C_01)
Technical Support Document for Rolling Fork Creek, Addendum II (Segment 1017F)
Technical Support for Additional TMDL Segments in the Houston Metropolitan Area
Includes Vogel Creek, Segment 1017C, approved as Addendum I to the Buffalo Bayou TMDLs
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E
TMDL Technical Support Document, June 2008
Appendixes, June 2008

Clear Creek Watershed Reports

Brays, Greens, Halls, and Sims Bayous and Eastern Houston Watersheds Reports

Jarbo Bayou Reports

Technical Support Document, August 2016

Lake Houston Upstream Watershed Reports

Technical Support Document for One TMDL for Indicator Bacteria in Caney Creek Assessment Unit 1010_03, Addendum IV May 2022
Technical Support Document for One TMDL for Indicator Bacteria for Walnut Creek, Assessment Unit: 1008I_01, Addendum III, August 2020
Technical Support Document for Brushy Creek and Spring Branch, Addendum II, July 2019
Technical Support Document for Upper and Lower Panther Branch, Bear Branch, and Peach Creek, Addendum I, June 2013
Technical Support Document for Lake Houston Upstream Watersheds September 2009
Monitoring Results - October 2008 (16.7 MB)
Synoptic Sampling Survey Results - Collected November 2007
Monitoring Plan
Preliminary Data Review

San Jacinto River, East and West Forks; Lake Houston; and Crystal Creek Watersheds Reports

Contact the TMDL Program

Please contact Steven Johnston, the Project Manager at the H-GAC, at 713-627-3200 or email Steven Johnston. You may also e-mail tmdl@tceq.texas.gov and mention the Houston-Galveston bacteria project in the subject line. Reach the TMDL Program by phone at 512-239-6682.

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