Navasota River: A Community Project to Protect Recreational Uses
Counties: Brazos, Grimes, Leon, Limestone, Madison, Robertson
Parameter: Bacteria
River Basin: Brazos
Segment: 1209
On this page:
Background and Goals
The Navasota River, Segment 1209, begins below Lake Limestone and flows until it connects with the Brazos River southwest of the town of Navasota. It is a predominately rural watershed in the larger Brazos River Basin. Bryan and College Station are the largest urban areas.
High concentrations of bacteria, which are found in both human and animal waste, have been observed in the river. The presence of these bacteria may indicate a health risk to people who swim or wade in the bayou—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. Toward that goal, the TCEQ is developing a TMDL and an I-Plan to reduce bacteria in the Navasota River.
Back to top
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.
Get Involved
Staff from the Texas Water Resources Institute
worked with stakeholders to distribute information about this project and develop their plan. All public meetings about this project are open to anyone interested. See the For More Information section below to contact the TMDL Program about ways you could be involved.
I-Plan
The commission approved the I-Plan on August 28, 2019.
- Implementation Plan for Two Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in the Navasota River Below Lake Limestone
- Response to Comment on the I-Plan
TMDLs
The commission adopted these TMDLs on August 28, 2019. The EPA approved them on October 25, 2019, when they became part of the state's Water Quality Management Plan.
- Two Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in the Navasota River Below Lake Limestone
Segment: 1209; Assessment Units: 1209_03 and 1209_05 - Response to Comment on the TMDLs
Reports
For More Information
Please send an e-mail to tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and mention the Navasota River in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
