Guadalupe River Above Canyon Lake: Implementing a Plan to Protect Recreational Uses
County: Kerr
Parameter: Bacteria
River Basin: Guadalupe
Segments: 1806, 1806D, 1806E
Project Overview
The goal of this project is to reduce bacteria concentrations to protect the safety of recreational uses. High concentrations of fecal bacteria, which are naturally found in both human and animal waste, may indicate a health risk to people who swim or wade in the creek—activities called “contact recreation” in the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards.
Water quality testing conducted prior to 2006 indicated that concentrations of bacteria are sometimes too high in Segment 1806 of the Guadalupe River, the Guadalupe River above Canyon Lake. The areas of concern were confined to two small assessment areas within the city of Kerrville: (1) one mile upstream of Flat Rock Dam to a confluence with Camp Meeting Creek, and (2) from RR 394 to one mile downstream.
Beginning in 2014, assessment indicated that two tributaries to Segment 1806, Town Creek (1806E) and Quinlan Creek (1806D), sometimes have bacteria concentrations that are too high. Additional TMDLs will be developed for these creeks and added as an addendum in the state's Water Quality Management Plan.
Get Involved
Project staff are working with the Upper Guadalupe River Authority 
to keep the public informed of project status. Find out more about what it means to participate in TMDL projects.
Partners
The organizations listed below are partners in improving water quality in the Guadalupe River Above Canyon Lake. Most of the links in this section exit the TCEQ website .
Contact Us
Please e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and mention the Guadalupe River bacteria project in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
Strategy
Bird deterrent net under a bridge over the Guadalupe River
The Guadalupe River Implementation Plan documents measures stakeholders are using to reduce bacteria loads. The City of Kerrville, Kerr County, and the Texas Department of Transportation have committed to partner with UGRA to implement these measures. Their strategy includes the following actions:
- Modify the Highway 16 bridge to reduce wildlife nesting.
- Reduce feeding of birds and manage the waterfowl population at Louise Hays and Kerrville-Schreiner parks.
- Educate park users and install stations for proper disposal of pet waste.
- Repair, replace, and inspect sewage lines and septic systems.
Management measures were selected based on feasibility, costs, support, and timing.
Status
Assessment in 2014 indicated that the impaired portions of Segment 1806 are now fully supporting the contact recreation use. However, the tributaries Quinlan Creek (Segment 1806D) and Town Creek (Segment 1806E) were added for nonsupport of contact recreation in 2014. Since the adopted TMDL was for the entire watershed, the TMDLs for these two tributaries will be added through an addendum in the state's Water Quality Management Plan.
Status Reports
Tracking of implementation allows stakeholders to evaluate actions taken, identify actions that may not be working, and make changes as necessary.
- Year Two Meeting, March 2014
- Year One Meeting, December 2012
Stakeholders are in the fifth year of implementing their plan.
Activities
As of March 2015, the Upper Guadalupe River Authority's Bacteria Reduction Plan had funded the installation of twenty-two pet waste stations in the community. In 2014, the Flat Rock Park pet waste stations collected over 1,900 pounds of waste, which prevented this waste from washing into the river.
Education and Outreach
This interactive kiosk, featuring the water education program Water Down the Drain, was installed in January 2013 at the Riverside Nature Center. The program guides users through several activities that teach how pollution can be washed into waterways, the effects of nonpoint source pollution, and what can be done to prevent it. This kiosk will be rotated among other public venues in the community.
Grant Funded Project to Support the I-Plan
The TCEQ's Nonpoint Source Program supported a project that implemented some aspects of the I-Plan. Its Upper Guadalupe project implemented controls of waterfowl and bird nesting under river bridges, as well as education about management of on-site septic systems.
Contact Us
Please e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and mention the Guadalupe River bacteria project in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
Video
News
- Guadalupe River Above Canyon Lake Success Story
- 15th Annual River Cleanup collects more than 10,000 pounds of trash by 505 volunteers
Maps
- Watershed Map (JPG)
- TMDL Monitoring Sites (JPG)
Photos
Monitoring Sites
Parks, Pets, and Waterfowl
River Clean Up
Riparian and Stream Ecosystem Workshop, May 2014
Contact Us
Please e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and mention the Guadalupe River TMDL project in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
Implementation Plan
On August 31, 2011, the commission approved the plan to implement the TMDL for bacteria.
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Implementation Plan for Bacteria in the Guadalupe River above Canyon Lake, Segment 1806
- Response to Public Comment on the I-Plan
TMDLs
On July 25, 2007, the commission adopted the TMDL.
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One Total Maximum Daily Load for Bacteria in the Guadalupe River above Canyon Lake
Segment 1806 -
Response to Public Comment on the TMDL
The EPA approved it on September 25, 2007, at which time it became part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan.
Revisions to the 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. 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.
- Addenda 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.
Addendum
Additional TMDLs have been added for the watershed by addendum.
- Addendum One: Two Total Maximum Daily Loadss for Bacteria in Quinlan Creek and Town Creek
Segments 1806D and 1806E. January 2018 WQMP Update. Approved by EPA May 8, 2018.
Updates
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July 2015, Appendix III, page 14
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January 2008, pages 12-13
Contact Us
Please e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and mention the Guadalupe River bacteria project in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
Reports
- Technical Support Document for TMDLs for Quinlan Creek and Town Creek
Contact Us
Please e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and mention the Guadalupe River bacteria project in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.