Authors: K. Wagner, T.J. Gentry, M. Mukherjee, G.D. Di Giovanni, E.A. Casarez, J.A. Truesdale

In Texas, 255 waterbodies were impaired due to excessive bacteria in 2014. To identify bacterial sources and help address these impairments, Texas established a bacterial source tracking (BST) program circa 2006. To support maintenance, expansion, and use of the Texas BST library and other BST tools, in fiscal year 2015, TWRI, UTSPH EP and AgriLife SCSC collaborated with the TSSWCB to:

1. Quantify and characterize the possibility of naturalized E. coli populations in soil and runoff
2. Further evaluate and refine the Texas E. coli BST library
3. Continue evaluation and development/refining of source‐specific bacterial PCR markers
4. Support BST efforts in the Arroyo Colorado and other watersheds
5. Provide outreach regarding BST

Authors: A. Truong, R. White, F. Cobb, R. Lopez

Water is a major limiting factor for maintaining the aesthetic performance of ornamental plants. The public uses various sources of information to determine the watering needs of Central Texas plants, from use of peer-reviewed articles to qualitative assessments of plant performance. Given the wide-ranging application of water to Central Texas landscapes, establishing the watering needs of native and commercially available plants, especially during drought-prone periods, would be beneficial in an environment such as Central Texas. This study exposed popular ornamental plant species to water-limiting conditions and recorded plant stress under those conditions. This information should allow consumers to choose landscape species that are best suited to their watering preferences and aesthetic needs. Proper plant selection based on watering requirements and consumer preferences or landscaping goals would facilitate greater water savings for the region. The Drought Survivability Study (DSS), initiated by the Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources (IRNR) and Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI), sought to contribute to an ongoing discussion on the water needs of Central Texas landscapes.

Authors: A. Berthold, J. A. Benavides, E. Casarez, G. Di Giovanni, J. Archuleta-Truesdale

The Arroyo Colorado River, located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, is a major tributary to the Lower Laguna Madre. Currently, it is impaired for a variety of pollutants, bacteria being one of those. Watershed planning efforts are ongoing and in order to identify what the primary causes and sources of bacteria are, watershed managers developed a monitoring strategy to conduct bacterial source tracking. Through this project, the Texas A&M AgriLife, Institute of Renewable Natural Resources visited with local agency personnel and decided that birds and wildlife were the key sources of interest. As a result, 254 fecal samples were collected from 27 known sources. Samples were shipped to the University of Texas School of Public Health – El Paso, isolated, and archived (409 isolates). Additionally, the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley collected monthly water samples for one year at 10 different sites. Periodically samples were unable to be collected due to dangerous conditions but 113 samples were collected. Collected samples were taken to the Brownsville Public Utilities Board Analytical Laboratory for enumeration of E. coli and Enterococcus. Samples were also processed and shipped to University of Texas School of Public Health – El Paso for source tracking analysis. Results of source tracking indicated that 52% of the bacteria resulted from non-avian wildlife, 16% from avian wildlife, 10% from cattle, 9% from human, 10% unidentified, and 1% from pets, avian livestock, and other non-avian livestock. Results of this analysis will be used to guide the development of the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Protection Plan.

Authors: Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources

The overarching goal of this report was to review and assess factors relevant to implementing water policies in
the City of Fair Oaks Ranch (FOR) to serve as a tool for decision-making regarding water resource projects and
city planning strategies that address key water management issues. Analyses were based on readily available
data regarding city policies, regulations, and initiatives, to include costs and water reliability/supply for the
2015-2060 period.

Authors: V. Gutierrez, K. Wagner, A. Berthold

The focus of Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) Project 15-53, “Delivering Education Programs Focused on Stakeholder Needs to Address Agricultural NPS in the Arroyo Colorado Watershed,” was to continue efforts to alleviate impairments in the Arroyo Colorado watershed through educational programs and direct mailings targeted at controlling agricultural nonpoint source pollution. The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (Extension) conducted educational programs within the three county area of the Arroyo Colorado watershed that focused on best management practices (BMPs), particularly soil testing and nutrient management, and sources of financial and technical assistance. The continuation of these vital programs was made possible by funding from a State Nonpoint Source Program grant from the TSSWCB.

Authors: L. Gregory, B. Jonescu, J. Murray, C. Schulz, A. Gitter, K. Wagner

The “Carters Creek Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation” project was developed to provide additional information to watershed stakeholders regarding the spatial and temporal distribution of E. coli concentrations in water across the watershed to aid in planning future implementation efforts across the watershed. This goal was accomplished through a variety of focused tasks that collected water quality data and E. coli source information from across the watershed. Water quality monitoring was greatly expanded by utilizing four different monitoring approaches. Routine monthly monitoring conducted at four stations over a two-year period provided additional data for future water body assessments. Reconnaissance monitoring was conducted by volunteers on a monthly basis at 10 locations and provided water quality information in many areas of the watershed that had not been previously monitored. Stormwater sampling was conducted at two locations and demonstrated the influences of runoff events on water quality. Lastly, an intensive water quality monitoring approach was utilized to collect a large number of samples within selected creek segments on the same day to illustrate changes in water quality from upstream to downstream. This approach enabled specific areas of the watershed to be identified where E. coli loading is likely to occur.

Authors: L. Gregory, C. Schulz

Communication is the cornerstone of all effective efforts, and water quality projects are no exception. Open and effective lines of communication were established through this project with the purpose of conveying project findings, plans for upcoming work and to support discussion with stakeholders about evolving needs in the watershed. To accomplish this, three primary mechanisms were utilized to engage watershed stakeholders and included focused project meetings, a project website, and general project awareness through non-traditional outlets such as education events on riparian ecosystem health and function, water quality monitoring training, education courses and others.

Authors: L. Gregory, J. Murray, C. Schulz

Developing a clearer understanding of the spatial and temporal variability in E. coli concentrations monitored throughout the watershed and establishing a clear baseline of current E. coli loads at a sub-watershed scale were the goals for monitoring conducted through the project. Initially, these goals were to be achieved through routine monitoring (scheduled on a routine frequency) conducted at 13 locations across the watershed. This monitoring was carried monthly for two years and was completed in February 2015. While this approach provides valuable information, it did not provide the level of spatial detail needed to identify critical areas in the watershed where E. coli loading is more problematic than others.

Authors: B. Jonescu, L. Gregory, A. Gitter, K. Wagner

The Carters Creek watershed is a tributary of the Navasota River and covers an area of about 56.9 square miles in Brazos County. Approximately 57% of this area is urbanized (Figure 1), primarily by the cities of Bryan and College Station. Within the Carters Creek watershed, Carters Creek, Burton Creek and Country Club Branch are all considered impaired due to elevated levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli). The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) denotes these waterbodies as segments 1209C, 1209L and 1209D respectively. These waterbodies were listed on the TCEQ’s 303(d) list for bacterial impairments starting in 1999 for Carters Creek and 2006 for Burton Creek and Country Club Branch (TCEQ 2012). Each of these waterbodies was listed impaired for not meeting the E. coli standard for Primary Contact Recreation which is a geometric mean of 126 colony forming units (CFU)/100 mL of water. Initial listing of these waterbodies was supported by monitoring conducted by TCEQ and the Brazos River Authority (BRA). In 2014, a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) was completed for each creek and as a result, they are proposed for delisting in the 2014 Texas Integrated Report (TCEQ 2014).

Authors: L. Gregory, J. Murray and C. Schulz

The Carters Creek watershed is a tributary of the Navasota River and covers approximately 56.9 square miles in Brazos County. Of this area, 57% is urbanized (Figure 1) through development associated with the cities of Bryan and College Station. Within the Carters Creek watershed, Carters Creek, Burton Creek and Country Club Branch are all considered impaired due to elevated levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli). These waterbodies were listed on the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) 303(d) list for bacterial impairments in 1999 for Carters Creek and 2006 for Burton Creek and Country Club Branch (TCEQ 2012). Each of these waterbodies was listed impaired for not meeting the E. coli standard for Primary Contact Recreation which is a geometric mean of 126 colony forming units (CFU)/100 mL of water. Initial listing of these waterbodies was supported by monitoring conducted by TCEQ and the Brazos River Authority (BRA).

In 2007, the TCEQ Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Team began the process of developing a TMDL and TMDL Implementation Plan for the Carters Creek watershed. Watershed stakeholders were engaged in the process to develop recommendations for management measures needed to restore water quality in the Carters Creek watershed. In 2014, a TMDL was completed for each creek and as a result, they are proposed for delisting in the 2014 Texas Integrated Report (TCEQ 2014).