County: Nueces
Parameter: Bacteria
Coastal Basins: Bays and Estuaries,
Nueces–Rio Grande Coastal Basin
Segment: 2485, 2485A
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Oso Creek
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Background and
Goals
Oso Bay is an enclosed, shallow body of water situated along the
southern shore of Corpus Christi Bay, with a surface area of
approximately seven square miles. The bay exchanges saltwater with
Corpus Christi Bay and receives fresh water from Oso Creek, a
stream whose flow is dominated by discharges subject to permit.
Ecologically, Oso Bay provides habitat for many plants and animals,
and plays an influential role in water purification and storm
protection.
Water quality testing found that concentrations of bacteria are
elevated in both the bay and the creek, which may pose a risk to
people who swim or wade in them. Swimming and wading are called
“contact recreation” in the state’s standards for
water quality; the term refers to all recreation in which people
come in direct contact with the water. The goal of this project is
to reduce bacteria concentrations to within acceptable risk levels
for contact recreation.
In March 2006, the TCEQ separated development of the TMDLs for
the bay and the creek, with the advice and consent of the
stakeholder advisory group. The TMDLs will be drafted and processed
as separate, related documents. The TCEQ adopted the Oso Bay TMDL
on August 22, 2007 and the EPA approved it in June 2008.
At this time, additional studies of bacteria sources and
quantities are underway in the Oso Creek watershed. TMDL
development for the creek will proceed, as those studies provide
sufficient information, in coordination with the Texas State Soil
and Water Conservation Board.
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Public Participation
An
advisory group has been established advise the TCEQ on these
projects. Advisory group meetings are open to all.
Find out more about meetings and membership of the advisory
group.
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TMDL for Oso Bay
On August 22, 2007, the commission adopted a TMDL for Oso Bay.
On June 6, 2008, the EPA approved the TMDL for bacteria in Oso Bay.
The TMDL is part of the state's Water Quality Management Plan.
Documents are provided in PDF. (Help with PDF)
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Project Documents
Documents are provided in PDF. (Help with PDF)
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For More Information
For additional information regarding this project, please call
the TCEQ project manager, Larry Koenig, at 512/239-4533. Or send an
e-mail to tmdl@tceq.state.tx.us, and
reference the Oso Bay and Oso Creek Bacteria project in the subject
line.
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