Recreational Use Attainability Analysis

Purpose/Objectives

To determine if the current contact recreation uses are appropriate considering the pending revisions to the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards for the segments listed below. The completion of these Recreational Use Attainability Analyses (RUAAs) consisted of several important interrelated components including 1) reconnaissance and site selection; 2) comprehensive or basic RUAA; and 3) public outreach.

Study Area

Brushy Creek, Bullhead Bayou and unnamed tributary to Bullhead Bayou, Caney Creek, Cedar Creek, Country Club Branch, Dickinson Bayou above tidal, Duck Creek, Gibbons Creek, Gum Tree Branch, Navasota River, San Bernard River, Shepherd Creek, Steele Creek, Upper Oyster Creek, West Bernard Creek, Wickson Creek

Project Period

2009 – 2011

Description

RUAAs are scientific assessments, that are used to determine existing and attainable recreational use for a water body, and if that use might be different than the presumed recreational use as specified in the Clean Water Act. In September 2009, a comprehensive RUAA was initiated on Brushy Creek, segment 1244; Caney Creek, segment 1305; Navasota River, segment 1209; Dickinson Bayou; segment 1104; San Bernard River, segment 1302; and Upper Oyster Creek, segment 1245. A basic RUAA was initiated on Bullhead Bayou and unnamed tributary to Bullhead Bayou, segment 1245C and 1245D; Cedar Creek, segment 1209G; Country Club Branch, segment 1209D; Duck Creek, segment 1209H; Gibbons Creek, segment 1209I; Gum Tree Branch, segment 1302A; Shepherd Creek, segment 1209J; Steele Creek, segment 1209K; West Bernard Creek, segment 1302B; and Wickson Creek, segment 1209E. The comprehensive and basic RUAA reports provide the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Standards Group with relevant information needed to determine the appropriate attainable recreational use for each waterbody.

Publications

Guillen, G. and Wrast, J. 2011. Central and Southeast Texas Recreational Use Attainability Analyses Project: San Bernard River above tidal (segment 1302) comprehensive RUAA, Gum Tree Branch (1302A) basic RUAA, and West Bernard Creek (1302B) basic RUAA. EIH Technical Report 11-002:57.

Guillen, G. and Wrast, J. 2010. Central and Southeast Texas Recreational Use Attainability Analyses Project: Brushy Creek (segment 1244) comprehensive RUAA. EIH Technical Report 10-006:31.

Guillen, G. and Wrast, J. 2010. Central and Southeast Texas Recreational Use Attainability Analyses Project: Bullhead Bayou (segment 1245C) and unnamed tributary of Bullhead Bayou (segment 1245D) basic RUAA. EIH Technical Report 10-004:24.

Guillen, G. and Wrast, J. 2010. Central and Southeast Texas Recreational Use Attainability Analyses Project: Caney Creek above tidal (segment 1305) comprehensive RUAA. EIH Technical Report 10-003:31.

Guillen, G. and Wrast, J. 2010. Central and Southeast Texas Recreational Use Attainability Analyses Project: Cedar Creek (segment 1209G) basic RUAA. EIH Technical Report 10-007:21.

Guillen, G. and Wrast, J. 2010. Central and Southeast Texas Recreational Use Attainability Analyses Project: Country Club Branch (segment 1209D) basic RUAA. EIH Technical Report 10-008:20.

Guillen, G. and Wrast, J. 2010. Central and Southeast Texas Recreational Use Attainability Analyses Project: Duck Creek (segment 1209H) basic RUAA. EIH Technical Report 10-009:22.

Guillen, G. and Wrast, J. 2010. Central and Southeast Texas Recreational Use Attainability Analyses Project: Gibbons Creek (segment 1209I) basic RUAA. EIH Technical Report 10-010:22.

Guillen, G. and Wrast, J. 2010. Central and Southeast Texas Recreational Use Attainability Analyses Project: Navasota River below Lake Limestone (segment 1209) comprehensive RUAA. EIH Technical Report 10-005:33.

Guillen, G. and Wrast, J. 2010. Central and Southeast Texas Recreational Use Attainability Analyses Project: Shepherd Creek (segment 1209J) basic RUAA. EIH Technical Report 10-011:21.

Guillen, G. and Wrast, J. 2010. Central and Southeast Texas Recreational Use Attainability Analyses Project: Steele Creek (segment 1209K) basic RUAA. EIH Technical Report 10-012:23.

Guillen, G. and Wrast, J. 2010. Central and Southeast Texas Recreational Use Attainability Analyses Project: Wickson Creek (segment 1209E) basic RUAA. EIH Technical Report 10-013:23.

Guillen, G. and Wrast, J. 2010. Comprehensive Recreational Use Attainability Analysis of Dickinson Bayou above tidal (segment 1104). EIH Technical Report 10-001:30.

Guillen, G. and Wrast, J. 2009. Central and Southeast Texas Recreational Use Attainability Analyses Project; Upper Oyster Creek (segment 1245) comprehensive RUAA. EIH Technical Report 09-002:44.

Project Sponsors

• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Related links

• Surface Water Quality Standards Advisory Work Group