Total Maximum Daily Load

Relevant Committees

Total Maximum Daily Load and Impairment Programs

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A total maximum daily load (TMDL) is like a budget for pollutants for impaired waterbodies. It estimates the amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still support its designated uses. Designated uses may include fishing, general use, and how the water supports aquatic life. The load is then allocated among the sources of pollution within the watershed, and measures to reduce pollutant loads are developed as necessary. Those measures are generally addressed within an Implementation Plan or I-Plan - which is formulated through a stakeholder driven effort to achieve improved water quality while giving stakeholders appropriate flexibility. A TMDL becomes part of the state's Water Quality Management Plan after it is adopted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

2023 TMDL Annual Program Summary

Implementation Plan for Twenty-Five Total Maximum Daily Loads
for Bacteria in the Greater Trinity River Region

Reports
Resources
Workshops and Webinars

December 4, 2024

Supplemental Environmental Projects Webinar

Please join NCTCOG virtually on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 10:00 AM for a Supplemental Environmental Projects Webinar.

During this webinar, attendees will hear a presentation from Adena Crider, SEP Work Leader and Carlos Flores, SEP Specialist from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on Supplemental Environmental Projects, or SEPs. Attendees will learn about the background of SEPs, funding for SEPs, eligible entities and projects, and the application process. TCEQ will also present several case studies of successful water quality SEPs.

Supplemental Environmental Projects Webinar NCTCOG Presentation 
Supplemental Environmental Projects Webinar Recording
Supplemental Environmental Projects Webinar- Adena Crider and Carlos Flores, Texas Commision On Environmental Quality Presentation 

June 24, 2024

Avian Management & Water Quality

Please join NCTCOG virtually on Monday, June 24, 2024 at 10:00 AM for an Avian Management Webinar. 

This webinar will include presentations from Rachel Richter, Urban Wildlife Biologist, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and Adam Henry, Assistant District Supervisor, USDA - Texas Wildlife Services Program. During this webinar, attendees will learn about why it is important to water quality to discourage feeding ducks, how to manage nuisance rookeries, deterring black vulture roosts, and issues associated with Canadian Geese. Attendees will also have the opportunity to share successes and challenges they have faced in their programs when managing birds.

Avian Management Webinar NCTCOG Presentation
Avian Management Webinar Recording
Negative Impacts of Feeding Waterfowl -Rachel Richter, Texas Parks & Wildlife Presentation
Managing Nuisance Rookeries - Rachel Richter, Texas Parks & Wildlife Presentation
Managing Black Vulture Predation on Small Acreage & Resident Canada Geese Management  - Adam Henry, US Department of Agriculture - Texas Wildlife Services Presentation

TMDL Water Quality Modeling Webinar

Please join NCTCOG on August 3, 2023 at 1:00 PM to hear from Dr. Sheeba Thomas, San Antonio River Authority (SARA), on SARA's Water Quality Model that is utilized to determine best management practices and other activities to positively impact water quality in their service area. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and share information about their water quality practices. 

Webinar Agenda
NCTCOG Presentation
San Antonio River Authority Presentation
Webinar Recording

May 4, 2023

TMDL Regional Case Studies & Roundtable Webinar

Please join NCTCOG on May 4, 2023 at 10:00 AM to learn about regional TMDL programs and share information about your efforts to help reduce bacteria in North Central Texas waterways. 

This webinar will include presentations from Shaun Donovan, Environmental Services Department Manager, San Antonio River Authority, and Steven Johnson, Senior Planner, Houston-Galveston Area Council. The speakers will present information on their TMDL programs, including successes and challenges. Following the presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to share information on their TMDL programs, ask questions, share best practices, and more.

Webinar Agenda
NCTCOG Presentation
San Antonio River Basin TMDL Program Presentation
Houston-Galveston Area Council's Bacteria Implementation Group Presentation
Webinar Recording

May 10, 2022

Avian Management Webinar 

Please join NCTCOG virtually on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 10:00 AM  for the Avian Management Webinar. 

This webinar will include presentations from Rachel Richter, Urban Wildlife Biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Adam Henry, Wildlife Damage Management Biologist, US Department of Agriculture - Texas Wildlife Services, and Yvette Stewart, Community Outreach Coordinator, Bird City Texas/Audubon Texas. 

Rachel Richter will present information on how to discourage feeding ducks and managing nuisance rookeries. Adam Henry will present an overview of black vulture roosts and issues associated with Canadian geese. Yvette Stewart will present information on the Bird City Texas program, including information on how this program can benefit water quality. Links to the presentations and resources shared during the webinar are available below. The link to the webinar recording will be made available once it has been posted. 

 For more information, contact Hannah Allen at hallen@nctcog.org or (817) 695-9215.


April 1, 2022

Bacterial Source Tracking Webinar 

Please join NCTCOG virtually on Friday, April 1, 2022 at 10:00 AM  for the Bacterial Source Tracking Webinar. 

This webinar will include presentations from Dr. Terry Gentry, Professor and Director of Soil and Aquatic Microbiology, Soil and Crop Sciences Department, Texas A&M University, Shaun Donovan, Environmental Sciences Department Manager, San Antonio River Authority, Mark Enders, Watershed Program Manager, City of New Braunfels, and Dr. Christina Lopez, Watershed Coordinator, Plum Creek Watershed Partnership. 

Dr. Gentry will present an overview of bacterial source tracking (BST) and items to considering when planning a BST project. Shaun Donovan, Mark Enders, and Dr. Lopez will present results of their respective BST projects, along with the impacts the project had on their water quality activities, including informing public education and outreach, Watershed Protection Plans, and more. Detailed presentation descriptions are available on the webinar agenda, located below. The presentation slides and recording will be made available following the webinar. 

 For more information, contact Hannah Allen at hallen@nctcog.org or (817) 695-9215.

 

August 13, 2021

TMDL Feral Hog Virtual Forum 

Please join NCTCOG virtually on August 24, 2021 at 10:00 AM  for the TMDL Feral Hog Forum. 

This forum will include presentations from from Rachel Richter, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD),  and Adam Henry, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services. Rachel Richter's presentation will cover feral hog basis and biology, as well as the steps TPWD is taking to curb the impacts of feral hogs. Adam Henry's presentation will outline the USDA Wildlife Services' directed actions that are currently utilized to manage feral hog impacts. The presentations will be followed by a moderated roundtable, in which attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, share challenges and successes with peers, and discuss best management practices. For more information, contact Hannah Allen at hallen@nctcog.org or (817) 695-9215.


April 20, 2021

TMDL Calculations Virtual Workshop

Please join NCTCOG virtually on April 20, 2021 at 9:30 AM for the TMDL Calculations Workshop.

This virtual workshop will include presentations from Jimmy Millican, Assistant Research Specialist with the Texas  Institute for Applied Environmental Research (TIAER), and Macayla Coleman, Environmental Permit Specialist with the Stormwater Team in the Water Quality Division of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

Jimmy Millican's presentation will include information on how to calculate waste load allocations and load duration curves and how these are used in developing and implementing TMDLs. Macayla Coleman's presentation will include information on TMDL benchmarks for the development and approval of Stormwater permits through TCEQ. This webinar will include time for questions and answers, as well as an overview of the NCTCOG TMDL Program and available resources. For more information, please contact Hannah Allen at hallen@nctcog.org.


August 31, 2020

Discouraging Avian Feeding Webinar

This webinar will include presentations from Rachel Richter, Wildlife Biologist with Texas Parks & Wildlife, and Mark Enders, Watershed Program Manager with the City of New Braunfels. Rachel Richter’s presentation will cover why avian feeding negatively impacts our waterways and their associated bacteria levels, as well as the steps Texas Parks and Wildlife is taking to discourage feeding. Mark Enders’ presentation will cover the City of New Braunfels’ no feeding ordinances, challenges and successes experienced, and well as public perception and lessons learned. The webinar will end with a short overview of NCTCOG’s available resources for discouraging avian feeding in the North Central Texas region.

Presentations:

 

​​November 12, 2019

Supplemental Environmental Projects Webinar

During this webinar, attendees heard from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on Supplemental Environmental Projects, or SEPs. Attendees learned about the background of SEPs, funding for SEPs, eligible entities and projects, and the application process. TCEQ also presented several case studies of successful water quality SEPs. 

October 23, 2019

Egret Rookery Workshop

Herons and egrets are beautiful and fascinating birds that are common around lakes, ponds, wetlands, and grasslands in North Central Texas.   However, they breed and nest in large groups, called rookeries, which can be a nuisance when located within residential areas.   A number of rookeries have occupied residential areas in the metroplex the past few years, creating issues for citizens and municipal governments.  This workshop will provide municipalities with information on the problem with urban rookeries, tools and management practices to prevent new and returning rookeries, and guidance on managing an existing rookery.  The target audience is municipal staff and management that deal with urban wildlife issues, such as city managers or community directors, local police departments, parks and recreation staff, and animal services/control supervisors within the NCTCOG area.

The Egret Rookery Workshop will include presentations from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services.  Attendees will also hear from cities that are experiencing current rookery issues.  A question and answer session will follow each presentation and at the conclusion of the workshop.

August 13, 2019

NCTCOG Feral Hog Forum

The North Central Texas Council of Governments hosted a Feral Hog Forum on August 13, 2019 at NCTCOG Offices in Arlington, TX. During this forum, attendees heard from Rachel Richter, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, and Josh Helcel, Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute. Attendees also participated in a robust roundtable discussion, led by Adam Henry, U.S. Department of Agriculture - Texas Wildlife Services. The workshop agenda and presentations can be found below. 

July 25, 2019

Septic System Basic Maintenance for Homeowners Workshop 

The North Central Texas Council of Governments hosted the Septic System Basic Maintenance for Homeowners Workshop on July 25, 2019 at the Texas Health Huguley Fitness Center Amphitheater in Burleson, TX. Attendees heard from Ryan Gerlich, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and Becca Grassl-Petersen, Tarrant County. The workshop presentations can be found below. 

November 6,7, and 9, 2017 

North Texas Regional Feral Hog Conference

The North Texas Feral Hog Conference was a multi-agency collaboration to convene policymakers, stakeholders, and experts to discuss feral hog management at the watershed level. To better serve our communities, the event was held November 6, 7, and 9 at three locations in the North Central Texas region.
Conference Materials:
Flyer

Agendas

Presentations

August 21, 2017 

Sanitary Sewer Overflow Initiative Benefits Webinar

Learn about the Sanitary Sewer Overflow Initiatives occurring in the North Texas area and how those initiatives have impacted the number of overflows over time. This webinar features Mary Gugliuzza, from the City of Fort Worth Water Department, and Scott Hoelzle, from the North Texas Municipal Water District.

View the webinar recording


North Texas Urban Feral Hog Forum

Thank you to all who joined the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) for the North Texas Urban Feral Hog Forum on May 1st, 2017 at Brookhaven College in Farmers Branch!
Feral hogs present increasing challenges to both rural and urban communities in North Texas. The large populations are not only destructive, causing property damage, infrastructure damage, and threats to public safety, but are also a source of bacteria loading in North Texas waterways through waste contributions and destabilization of riparian areas.
Presentations from the May 1, 2017 North Texas Urban Feral Hog Forum


Presentations from the December 16, 2015 NCTCOG SSO Workshop

Water Resources Planning and Management Workshops

Septic System Resources

For Local Governments

 

For Homeowners

Resources

 

Workshops

Septic System Basic Maintenance for Homeowners Workshop 

The North Central Texas Council of Governments hosted the Septic System Basic Maintenance for Homeowners Workshop on July 25, 2019 at the Texas Health Huguley Fitness Center Amphitheater in Burleson, TX. Attendees heard from Ryan Gerlich, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and Becca Grassl-Petersen, Tarrant County. The workshop presentations can be found below. 

Quarterly Newsletters
Annual Project Highlights

2023 TMDL Project Highlights

NCTCOG and entities in the watershed continued to address bacteria levels in the impaired waterways covered by the Implementation Plan (I-Plan). Highlights from 2023 include:


2022 TMDL Project Highlights

NCTCOG and entities in the watershed continued to address bacteria levels in the impaired waterways covered by the Implementation Plan (I-Plan). Highlights from 2022 include the following.

Facilitated the TMDL Coordination Committee meeting to give program updates, discuss upcoming projects, and to share information about an upcoming TMDL addition for North Fork Cottonwood Creek.

 

2021 TMDL Project Highlights

NCTCOG and entities in the watershed continued to address bacteria levels in the impaired waterways covered by the Implementation Plan (I-Plan). Highlights from 2021 include:

 

2020 TMDL Project Highlights

NCTCOG and entities in the watershed continued to address bacteria levels in the impaired waterways covered by the Implementation Plan (I-Plan). Highlights from 2020 include:

  • Drafted and distributed the annual TMDL Questionnaire to TMDL stakeholders regarding I-Plan efforts.
  • Incorporated North Fork Fish Creek as a bacteria-impaired waterway into the TMDL I-Plan and developed the updated I-Plan to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The updated I-Plan is available online for review here.
  • Hosted and facilitated the Discouraging Avian Feeding webinar, which had 33 attendees. The Discouraging Avian Feeding webinar recording is available online here, and a copy of the presentations slides are linked in the Workshops header above. 
  • Completed the Greater Trinity River Regional TMDL Annual Program Summary, which includes information on current projects and activities completed during the 2020 fiscal year. 
  • Coordinated two Upper Trinity River Basin Coordinating Committee meetings to provide a forum for watershed coordinators to communicate regarding current activities and ongoing efforts in the NCTCOG region.
  • Facilitated meetings with the TMDL Stormwater, Wastewater, and Monitoring Technical Subcommittees to plan and coordinate bacteria reducing projects.
  • Facilitated the TMDL Coordination Committee meeting to give program updates, discuss upcoming projects, and obtain approval for the updated TMDL I-Plan which incorporated North Fork Fish Creek as a bacteria-impaired waterway.
  • Member highlights include: Trinity River Authority completed an  E. coli study for White Rock Creek and the North Texas Municipal Water District received a grant for Low Impact Development (LID) features as part of the Lavon Lake Watershed Protection Plan.

 

2019 TMDL Project Highlights

Cities in the watershed continued to address bacteria levels in the impaired waterways covered by the Implementation Plan. Highlights from 2019 include:

  • Drafted and distributed the annual TMDL Questionnaire to TMDL stakeholders regarding I-Plan efforts.
  • Facilitated and coordinated a workshop on Septic System Basic Maintenance for Homeowners on July 25, 2019. A total of 7 attendees participated in the workshop.
  • Facilitated and coordinated the Feral Hog Forum on August 13, 2019 with presentations from Texas Parks & Wildlife and Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute. A total of 23 attendees participated in the workshop.
  • Facilitated and coordinated the Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEP) webinar on November 12, 2019 with a presentation from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. A total of 33 attendees participated in the webinar.
  • Completed the Great Trinity River Region TMDL Annual Program Summary. This summary included major activities completed and information on current projects.
  • Facilitated and coordinated two Upper Trinity River Basin Coordinating Committee meetings with the goal of facilitating communication on current activities and efforts of watershed coordinators in the NCTCOG region.
  • Created the Avian Feeding Educational Materials, including signage, brochures, fact sheets, and a social media toolkit.
  • Supported the Doo the Right Thing Campaign by creating a social media toolkit to encourage residents to take the pledge to eliminate pet waste from yards and other areas, helping to reduce bacteria levels in stormwater runoff. In 2019, 187 individuals took the Doo the Right Thing pledge.
  • Created a brochure for homeowners for “Taking Care of Your On-Site Sewage Facility.”
  • Completed the update to the Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Plan to include Sycamore Creek.
  • Facilitated meetings with the TMDL Stormwater, Wastewater, and Monitoring Technical Subcommittees to plan and coordinate bacteria reducing projects.
  • Facilitated the TMDL Coordination Committee meeting to give program updates, discuss upcoming projects, and gain approval for the updated TMDL I-Plan to incorporate Sycamore Creek.
  • Support ed the Egret Rookery Workshop held on October 23, 2019 and included presentations from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, USDA Wildlife Services, City of The Colony, and City of Allen. 
  • Estelle Creek, Rush Creek and Village Creek all met water quality standards in the draft 2018 Texas Integrated Report!

 

2018 TMDL Program Highlights

Cities in the watershed continue to address bacteria levels in the impaired waterways covered by the Implementation Plan. Highlights from 2018 include:

  • Drafted and distributed the annual TMDL Questionnaire to TMDL stakeholders regarding I-Plan efforts.
  • Facilitated and coordinated a workshop on the Texas Stream Team Citizen Scientist program on March 6, 2018. A total of 26 attendees participated in the workshop.
  • Facilitated and coordinated the Texas Stream Team: Train-the-Trainer workshop featuring core water quality sampling methods on July 25, 2018. A total of 21 attendees participated in the workshop.
  • Completed the Greater Trinity River Region TMDL Implementation Plan Status Report. Incorporated new data, information, maps, and administrative updates.
  • Coordinated and facilitated two Upper Trinity River Basin Coordination Committee meetings with the goal of facilitating communication between the watershed coordinators in the NCTCOG region.
  • Created a summary of financial resources available for water quality improvement projects in the NCTCOG region.
  • Supported the Doo the Right Thing Campaign with 1147 individuals taking a pledge to eliminate pet waste from yards, helping to reduce bacteria levels in stormwater runoff.
  • Drafted a letter of support and passed a resolution to support the inclusion of the Sycamore Creek tributary segment and addendum to the I-Plan.
  • Facilitated meetings with the TMDL Stormwater, Wastewater, and Monitoring Technical Subcommittees to plan and coordinate bacteria reducing projects.
  • Facilitated the TMDL Coordination Committee to give program updates, discuss upcoming projects, gain approval from committee members to support the inclusion of the Sycamore Creek TMDL.

Member Highlights

  • City of Irving
    • The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Public Works Council designated the City of Irving’s status as a Certified Silver Integrated Stormwater Management (iSWM) Community on June 27, 2018.
    • Actively promoted the Fats, Rags, Oil and Grease (FROG) Program to educate the public on proper FROG disposal to reduce Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs).

 

2017 TMDL Program Highlights

Cities in the watershed continue to address bacteria levels in the impaired waterways covered by the Implementation Plan. Highlights from 2017 include:

  • Developed and distributed a TMDL Information Request. Collected information from TMDL area stakeholders about TMDL I-Plan efforts.
  • Attended public meetings in preparation for the inclusion of the Sycamore Creek watershed to the Greater Trinity I-Plan.
  • Completed the Greater Trinity River Region TMDL Implementation Plan Status Report. Incorporated data and information from the Four Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in the Cottonwood Creek, Fish Creek, Kirby Creek, and Crockett Branch Watershed Upstream of Mountain Creek into the current I-Plan.
  • Coordinated and facilitated the North Texas Urban Feral Hog Forum in May 2017, which engaged nearly 50 interested stakeholders.
  • Helped plan and promote the North Texas Feral Hog Conference in November 2017, led by our partner agency, Trinity River Authority, which created further progress on Strategy 4.0: Feral hog management.
  • Created a Texas Stream Team web page on the NCTCOG website including an overview of the program, contacts, and equipment information.
  • Coordinated and facilitated the Sanitary Sewer Overflow Initiative (SSOI) Benefits webinar on August 21, 2017. The webinar had 31 participants, with speakers including Mary Gugliuzza from the Fort Worth Department and Scott Hoelzle from the North Texas Municipal Water District.

 

2016 TMDL Program Highlights

Cities in the watershed continue to address bacteria levels in the impaired waterways covered by the Implementation Plan. Highlights from 2016 include:

  • Hosted two workshops aimed at educating municipal and community representatives on challenges related to bacteria impairment in the Greater Trinity Region. Both the Sanitary Sewer Overflow workshop and the Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development workshop had over 60 attendees.
  • Developed a spatial database and map of sanitary sewer overflow density by zip code in the TMDL area since 2011.
  • Supported the Doo the Right Thing campaign, with over 150 individuals taking a pet waste pledge to help reduce bacteria-laden runoff reaching local waterways.
  • Completed administrative and technical edits to the Implementation Plan (I-Plan) that were reviewed and approved by the subcommittees and Coordination Committee.
  • Continued partnership with AgriLife Stephenville, engaging regional stakeholders to implement strategies to reduce bacteria in impaired segments of the Upper Trinity River Basin.
  • Engaged subcommittees to define priority levels and status updates for each strategy and corresponding sub-strategy in the 2016 I-Plan Strategies Matrix. This tool will be used by the subcommittees to determine progress for the I-Plan strategies in 2017.

 

2015 TMDL Program Highlights

Cities in the watersheds continue to address bacteria levels in the impaired waterways covered by the Implementation Plan. Highlights from 2015 include:

  • Created the Water Quality BMP Library as a resource for regional stakeholders. The Library contains over 100 resources and will continued to be updated with new resources.
  • The Bacteria TMDL Coordination Committee voted to add 4 impaired segments to the Implementation Plan. If approved by the TCEQ, the total segments covered by the Implementation Plan will total 21 segments.
  • Supported Doo the Right Thing Pet Calendar with over 100 individuals take a pet waste pledge to help reduce bacteria laden runoff reaching local waterways.
  • Partnered with AgriLife Stephenville to address bacterial impairments in basin 0805 and those impaired sub-segments of the Trinity River. The first year of this effort increased education and outreach to raise stakeholders' water quality awareness.
  • Developed an Implementation Plan strategies matrix for prioritizing strategies for FY2016.
 

2014 TMDL Program Highlights

Although the I-Plan was not formally adopted until December 2013, cities in the impaired watersheds had already begun to make progress on addressing bacteria levels in the impaired waterways.

TCEQ Links and Resources
NCTCOG Resources and Links