We recently published the Winter 2020 issue of our magazine, txH2O, highlighting the connection between water and health, including pathogens, poverty, PFAS and other water-health issues and developing potential solutions.
The Middle Neches River Basin includes portions of Cherokee, Angelina, Houston, Trinity, Polk and Tyler counties. Within this area, portions of four adjacent creeks that originate around the City of Lufkin and flow south into the Neches River are consider impaired due to elevated E. coli concentrations. These four creeks are Biloxi, Cedar, Hurricane and Jack Creeks and each has experienced intermittently high E. coli concentrations in recent years.
Through this project, TWRI is investigating current water quality in the watershed through an integrated assessment of existing watershed and water quality data, collection and water quality data analysis, and local watershed stakeholder engagement. We will identify and establish a baseline pollutant source understanding and quantify existing pollutant loads and define load reductions needed to achieve applicable water quality standards.
Objectives
- Evaluate existing data to describe potential causes and sources of pollution in the watershed
- Work with the Angelina & Neches River Authority (ANRA) to supplement existing water quality and quantity data through targeted intensive surface water quality monitoring
- Develop and maintain a successful public participation program, including a general education campaign and stakeholder group
- Establish a working stakeholder group and lead them in the development of a local plan to improve and restore instream water quality
Lucas Gregory
lfgregory@ag.tamu.edu
Lucas Gregory, Ph.D., currently serves as associate director of research – physical sciences.
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TR-539 Watershed Characterization of the Angelina River above Sam Rayburn Reservoir Watershed
Oct 2022
Luna Yang, Anna Gitter, Shubham Jain, and Lucas Gregory -
TR-518 Watershed Characterization of the Tributaries of the Neches River below Lake Palestine: Cedar, Hurricane, Biloxi and Jack Creeks
Dec 2019
Anna Gitter, Luna Yang, Lucas Gregory -
Protecting Our Water
Mar 2020
News
The Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Angelina and Neches River Authority will host a meeting Nov. 22 in Lufkin for anyone interested in water quality impairments in Jack, Cedar, Hurricane and Biloxi creeks, tributaries of the Neches River below Lake Palestine.
The Texas Water Resources Institute in collaboration with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will host two meetings Nov. 21 in Woodville and Jasper for anyone interested in joining a partnership to improve and protect water quality in the Sandy and Wolf creeks.
Texas Water Resources Institute staff report positive results in one East Texas watershed and substantial progress in another while working with stakeholders and a team of university researchers and agency staff to improve water quality in the region’s many watersheds.
A Texas Watershed Steward workshop on water quality related to the Neches River will be held from 1-5 p.m. May 21 in Jasper. The workshop will be held at the Jasper County Courthouse Annex, 271 E. Lamar St. It will be presented by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board in cooperation with the Texas Water Resources Institute.
A Texas Watershed Steward workshop on water quality related to the La Nana Bayou, Angelina and Middle Neches Rivers will be held from 8 a.m.-noon May 22 in Lufkin.
Upcoming Meetings
There are no upcoming events
Project Contacts
Lucas Gregory, Associate Director
lfgregory@ag.tamu.edu
(979) 314-2361
Funding provided by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.