Project Goals/Objective: Comprehensive RUAAs will be conducted on ten segments: Mud Creek (0201A), Bois D’Arc Creek (0202A), Choctaw Creek (0202F), Smith Creek (0202G), and Iron Ore Creek (0202K) in the Red River Basin and Prairie Creek (0606A), Kickapoo Creek (0605A), Neches River above Lake Palestine (0606), Mud Creek (0611C) and West Mud Creek (0611D) in the Neches River Basin. These comprehensive RUAAs consist of five main tasks: a) public participation and stakeholder interaction through educational outreach meetings, b) interviews and historical review of the recreational use of each waterbody, c) development of a comprehensive GIS inventory, d) review of water quality data, and e) completion of the required two RUAA surveys of each creek.
RUAA survey site selection is predicated on reconnaissance trips, public participation, and stakeholder interaction. An initial reconnaissance trip will be completed prior to meeting with stakeholders about the project, and follow-up trips will occur when interaction with local landowners provides opportunities for additional sites. Two field surveys will be conducted at each of the selected sites by TIAER. Each survey will be conducted according to the February 2012 version of the TCEQ Procedures for a Comprehensive RUAA and a Basic RUAA Survey and will include the collection of transect information along a stretch of the creek at each site documenting the presence or absence of water recreation activities and characteristics regarding stream flow type and pool depths. Interview survey information will also be collected from individuals either actively recreating at each site or knowledgeable of the site and the project creeks in general. Each survey will be performed at a time of year under weather and hydrologic conditions that are conducive to observing recreational use, which means when air temperatures are warm to hot (>70° F). Field surveys will be conducted during the period people would most likely be using the waterbody for contact recreation. A historical information review will be conducted on recreation use that occurred on each creek on and after November 28, 1975.
The public education and stakeholder interaction task is critical to the success of the project. This task will be performed by TIAER to accomplish two complimentary goals – 1) obtaining landowner permission for access to sites along each project creek and 2) ensuring that decision-making regarding the RUAA is founded on local input. An initial public meeting will be held for each creek where the RUAA process is described and solicitation is made for access to the waterbody. Direct interaction with affected city councils, county commissioners’ courts, and SWCDs will occur. Any necessary follow-up meetings will be conducted to further communicate the RUAA process and to obtain landowner permission for access to creek sites. A mid-project update meeting and a meeting to present findings of the RUAA surveys will also be conducted.
Project Background: Bacteria is listed on the 2012 Texas 303(d) List as an impairment for assessment units 0201A Mud Creek, 0202A_02 Bois D’ Arc Creek, 0202F_01 and 0202F_02 Choctaw Creek, 0202G_01 Smith Creek, 0202K_01 Iron Ore Creek, 0605A_01 Kickapoo Creek, 0606 Neches River above Lake Palestine, 0606A_01 and 0606_02 Prairie Creek, 0611C_01 Mud Creek, and 0611D_01 and 0611D_02 West Mud Creek. All ten assessment units are classified as category 5b indicating that a review of the water quality standards for the waterbody needs to be conducted before a management strategy is selected, including the possible revision to the water quality standards.
Mud Creek (AU 0201A_01) was first listed as impaired for bacteria in 2002 and remains on the 2012 Texas Integrated Report. In 2006, Mud Creek was also listed as impaired for depressed dissolved oxygen. Mud Creek extends from the confluence of the Red River to the upstream perennial portion of the stream northwest of De Kalb in Bowie County. Concerns for AU 0201A_01 include elevated concentrations of chlorophyll-a and ammonia.
Bois D’ Arc Creek (AU 0202A_02) was first listed as impaired for bacteria in 2010. Bois D’ Arc Creek, which extends from the confluence of the Red River upstream to the headwaters northwest of Whitewright in Grayson County, is divided into three assessment units: 0202A_01, 0202A_02, and 0202A_03. The impaired segment (0202A_02) extends from the confluence with Sandy Creek upstream to the confluence with Pace Creek. No other impairments or concerns
are noted for Bois D’ Arc Creek.
Choctaw Creek (AU 0202F) was first listed as impaired for bacteria on the 2010 Texas Integrated Report and remains on the 2012 Texas Integrated Report. Both segments 0202F_01 and 0202F_02 are impaired. Assessment unit 0202F_01 extends from the confluence with the Red River upstream to the confluence with Post Oak Creek. Assessment unit 0202F_02 extends from the confluence with Post Oak Creek upstream to the headwaters near the intersection of SH 56 and SH 289 in Grayson County. Concerns are also noted in AU 0202F_01 for elevated concentrations of total phosphorus, orthophosphorus, and nitrate.
Smith Creek (AU 0202G) was first listed as impaired for bacteria on the 2006 Texas Integrated Report and remains on the 2012 303(d) list. Smith Creek is represented by one AU, which extends from the confluence with Pine Creek north of Paris to the upstream portion of the stream in north Paris in Lamar County. Concerns are also noted in AU 0202G_01 for elevated concentrations of ammonia, total phosphorus, and orthophosphorus.
Iron Ore Creek (AU 0202K) was first listed as impaired for bacteria on the 2010 Texas Integrated Report and remains on the 2012 303(d) list. Iron Ore Creek comprises one AU, which extends from the confluence with Choctaw Creek upstream to the headwaters near FM 120 west of Denison. No other impairments or concerns are noted for Iron Ore Creek.
Kickapoo Creek in Henderson County (AU 0605A_01) is listed in the 2012 Texas Integrated Report as impaired due to elevated bacteria (first listed in 2000) and depressed dissolved oxygen concentrations (first listed in 2006). The impaired AU for Kickapoo Creek (AU 0605A_01) extends from the confluence with Lake Palestine east of Brownsboro in Henderson County to the confluence with Slater Creek. Concerns due to elevated ammonia and chlorophyll concentrations are also noted for AU 0605A_01. Kickapoo Creek AU 0605A_02 extends from the confluence with Slater Creek upstream to confluence with unnamed tributary about 1.62 km north of FM 858 in Van Zandt County. While not impaired, concern for bacteria are noted for AU 0605A_02 as well as elevated ammonia concentrations the 2012 Texas Integrated Report to have a concern for bacteria.
Neches River Above Lake Palestine (AU 0606_01) was first listed for bacteria in 2008 and is also listed in the 2012 Texas Integrated Report as impaired due to depressed dissolved oxygen concentrations (first listed in 2004) and pH (first listed in 2002). Neches River Above Lake Palestine has two AUs and only AU 0606_01 from a point approximately 0.03 miles south of St. Louis Southwestern Railroad upstream to the confluence with Prairie Creek is listed for bacteria. Concerns in AU 0606_01 include elevated nitrate, orthophosphorus, and total phosphorus concentrations. AU 0606_02 extends from the confluence with Prairie Creek upstream to the Rhines Lake Dam and is listed for depressed dissolved oxygen and low pH.
Prairie Creek (AU 0606A_01 and AU 0606A_03) was first listed for bacteria in 2002 and is also listed in the 2012 Texas Integrated Report as impaired for bacteria. Prairie Creek has three AUs, although only AU 0606A_01 (from the confluence with Neches River in Smith County upstream to the confluence with Black Forest Creek) and AU 0606A_03 (from the confluence with Caney Creek upstream to confluence with unnamed tributary approximately 0.6 km downstream of the US 69 bridge crossing) are listed as impaired for bacteria. A concern for ammonia is also noted for AU 060A_03.
Mud Creek (AU 0611C_01) was first listed for bacteria in 2010. Concerns along AU 0611C_01 include ammonia and depressed dissolved oxygen. Mud Creek AU 0611C_01 extends from the confluence with Angelina River at the Cherokee and Nacogdoches county line south of City of Reklaw upstream to top of channelized/dredged portion about 2.3 km south of US 79. Mud Creek (AU 0611D_02) indicates concerns for bacteria and ammonia. Mud Creek (AU 0611D_02) extends from a point immediately upstream of channelized/dredged portion about 2.3 km south of US 79 upstream to confluence with Prairie Creek in Smith County.
West Mud Creek (AU 0611D_01 and AU 0611D_02) is represented by two AUs and was first listed for bacteria in 2010. West Mud Creek (AU 0611D_01) extends from the confluence with Mud Creek upstream to confluence with unnamed tributary about 75 m north of WWTP in the City of Tyler. West Mud Creek (AU 0611D_02) extends from the confluence with unnamed tributary about 75 m north of WWTP in City of Tyler upstream to confluence of unnamed tributary about 300 meters upstream of the most northern crossing of US 69 in City of Tyler. Concerns for ammonia and nitrate are noted for AU 0611D_01 and for ammonia in AU 0611D_02.
Project Location: Mud Creek in Bowie County; Bois D’Arc Creek in Grayson and Fannin Counties; Choctaw Creek in Grayson County; Smith Creek in Lamar County; Iron Ore Creek in Grayson County; Kickapoo Creek in Henderson and Van Zandt Counties; Neches River Above Lake Palestine in Henderson, Smith, and Van Zandt Counties; Prairie Creek in Smith County; Mud Creek in Cherokee and Smith Counties; and West Mud Creek Cherokee and Smith Counties
Website: http://tiaer.tarleton.edu/ruaa/index.html
Project Costs: Federal ($0); State ($406,298); Total Project ($406,298)
Project Participation: TSSWCB and TIAER
Project Workplan: 14-52
QAPP: 14-52
Final Report: 14-52 Red River Basin; 14-52 Neches River Basin