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Recreational Use Attainability Analysis of Dixon Creek

Project Goals/Objectives: This project will collect data to evaluate factors affecting attainment of recreational use in Dixon Creek (0101A). Possible sources of bacteria will be assessed by developing a comprehensive GIS inventory, evaluating historical water quality data, and conducting a watershed source survey. To ensure decision-making is founded on local input and that watershed action is successful, public participation and stakeholder interaction will be a critical component of this project.

Project Background: The Dixon Creek watershed is rural and land use is predominantly pastureland and oil and gas production. Dixon Creek is a small headwater tributary within the Canadian River Basin.  The creek flows 19 miles north from the confluences of the East, Middle, and West Forks of Dixon Creek in Carson County to its confluence with the Canadian River in Hutchinson County.  The watershed includes approximately 17,888 acres that encompasses portions of the City of Borger. While mainly rural, portions of the City of Borger are located within the watershed.  Dixon Creek was first listed as having a bacteria impairment for contact recreation on the 2000 Texas 303 (d) List and has been listed in the 2010 Texas Water Quality Inventory as impaired due to depressed oxygen concentrations.  Dixon Creek is one of many rural waterbodies listed on the Texas 303(d) List due to elevated levels of E. coli, the non-pathogenic indicator bacteria found in warm-blooded animals. These indicator bacteria are used to assess the possible presence of pathogens that would limit the contact recreation use of a waterbody.

This project consists of performing a Comprehensive RUAA on Dixon Creek (0101A) for the purpose of ascertaining the level of recreational use occurring in the creek. This project will adhere to the procedures provided in the TCEQ Procedures for a Comprehensive RUAA and a Basic RUAA Survey.

This Comprehensive RUAA of Dixon Creek consists of 3 main tasks: a) conducting the required two surveys of Dixon Creek, b) public participation and stakeholder interaction and c) evaluation of historical bacterial water quality data and survey of possible bacteria sources.
Project Location: Dixon Creek (0101A)

Project Participation: TSSWCB, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Stephenville, and Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research

Project Workplan12-52

Project QAPP12-52

Final Report: 12-52

"Protecting and Enhancing Natural Resources since 1939."

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