Carancahua Bay: A Community Project to Protect Recreational Uses
Photo Courtesy of the Texas Institute for
Applied Environmental Research
Counties: Calhoun, Jackson
Parameter: Bacteria
Basin: Bays and Estuaries
Segment: 2456
Assessment Unit (AU): 2456_02
On this page:
- Project Description and Goal
- Get Involved
- Approved I-Plan
- Adopted TMDL
- Technical Report
- Contact the TMDL Program
Project Description and Goal
Carancahua Bay (Segment 2456) is located along the Texas Gulf Coast midway between the cities of Palacios and Port Lavaca. The bay is adjacent to the northern part of Matagorda Bay and its watershed includes parts of Calhoun and Jackson counties.
Since 2006, high concentrations of bacteria, which are found in both human and animal waste, have been observed in the upper half of the bay (AU 2456_02). The presence of these bacteria may indicate a health risk to people who swim or wade in the bay—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.
Back to topGet Involved
Staff from the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) worked with communities, interest groups, and local organizations to distribute information about this project and involve stakeholders in developing the I-Plan. All public meetings about this project are open to anyone interested. Watch for meeting announcements here and on the TWRI website
Approved I-Plan
Community stakeholders worked together to create the I-Plan. The Commission approved the stakeholders' plan on August 26, 2020.
Implementation Plan for Indicator Bacteria in Carancahua Bay - Response to Public Comment on the I-Plan
Adopted TMDL
Community stakeholders worked with the TCEQ to develop the TMDL. On August 26, 2020, the Commission adopted the TMDL for bacteria in Carancahua Bay. EPA approved the TMDL on October 9, 2020, at which time it became part of the state's Water Quality Management Plan.
- One Total Maximum Daily Load for Indicator Bacteria in Carancahua Bay
AU 2456_02 - TCEQ received no comments from the public on this TMDL.
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).
Update
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.
- April 2021, Appendix II, page 16
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 2020 are available on the Texas State Library and Archives Commission website.
Technical Report
Contact the TMDL Program
Please e-mail tmdl@tceq.texas.gov and mention Carancahua Bay in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
