Watershed planning efforts continue for Navasota River

Discussion will focus on area downstream of Lake Limestone

COLLEGE STATION – The Texas Water Resources Institute, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board are hosting two watershed meetings in February for anyone interested in improving and protecting water quality in the Navasota River and its watershed downstream of Lake Limestone.

Meeting times, dates and locations are:

– Feb. 18, 1:30–3:30 p.m., Carters Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility Meeting Room, 2200 N. Forest Parkway, College Station. Registration begins at 1 p.m.

– Feb. 18, 6:30–8:30 p.m., the Franklin Room at Pridgeon Community Center, 351 Cooks Lane, Franklin. Registration begins at 6 p.m.

Homeowners, landowners, business owners and city and county officials are invited to attend either meeting, said Lucas Gregory, Texas Water Resources Institute project specialist, College Station.

“At the meetings, attendees can take part in discussions on planning efforts to improve and protect water quality in the Navasota River and its watershed,” Gregory said.

He said since 2002 the river and several tributaries downstream of Lake Limestone have been considered impaired due to elevated levels of bacteria. In response, an effort to create a locally developed plan to improve and protect water quality is now underway.

Gregory said the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board funded the Navasota River Watershed Protection Plan through a state nonpoint source grant.

“During the meetings, we will continue discussion regarding the planning process,” he explained. “Current bacteria loads and sources across the Navasota River watershed as well as the approaches used to define the existing level of bacteria sources in the watershed will also be covered. This information will serve as the basis for the watershed protection planning process.”

Dusty Tittle, AgriLife Extension agent for Brazos County, said watershed protection plans are created through a facilitated planning process by local watershed stakeholders, making these plans an effective tool for improving and protecting water quality.

“These plans are a common approach used across Texas to address instream water quality with voluntary measures,” he said.

“Involvement of local landowners in this process is critical because their knowledge of the watershed is crucial for developing an effective watershed protection plan,” added Edward Schneider, AgriLife Extension agent for Robertson County.

For more information, go to http://navasota.tamu.edu or contact Gregory at 979-845-7869 or lfgregory@ag.tamu.edu.