Lake Austin - Dissolved Oxygen
This project to improve conditions for aquatic life by increasing dissolved oxygen in Lake Austin has been completed. Together, the adopted total maximum daily load (TMDL) and the approved Implementation Plan (I-Plan) are the road map to improving water quality.
Photograph courtesy of the
Lower Colorado River Authority
County: Travis
Parameter: Dissolved oxygen
River Basin: Colorado River
Segment: 1403
On this page:
Summary
Low dissolved oxygen levels at the upper end of Lake Austin, immediately downstream of Mansfield Dam, led to the segment being listed as impaired for aquatic life use. The water released from the dam is low in dissolved oxygen because the releases are from the cold, noncirculating bottom zone characterized by oxygen depletion with no replenishment from circulation or photosynthesis. Since neither point-source nor nonpoint source loadings are causing the low levels of dissolved oxygen, this TMDL does not assign specific loads to pollutant sources. To address low dissolved oxygen in Lake Austin, the implementation plan calls for the use of an aerator at the dam to improve water quality to meet standards.
Back to topTMDLs
The commission adopted this TMDL on November 17, 2000.
- A Total Maximum Daily Load for Dissolved Oxygen in Lake Austin, Segment 1403
- Response to Public Comment on the Lake Austin TMDL
On December 5, 2001, the EPA recommended delisting the impairment rather than taking action on the TMDL, because the cause of the low dissolved oxygen was pollution, not pollutants. The EPA stated that no official action is required for a TMDL written to address an impairment caused by pollution.
The letter from the EPA stated:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 6 received the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission’s (TNRCC’s) document entitled “A Total Maximum Daily Load for Dissolved Oxygen in Lake Austin (Segment 1403)” on December 13, 2000. Lake Austin is listed on the Texas 1998 Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(d) List for dissolved oxygen. However, according to the TMDL document, the cause of low dissolved oxygen in Lake Austin is due to pollution and not a pollutant. Specifically, the impairment is linked to the release of anoxic water into Lake Austin from the Mansfield Dam. Therefore, EPA recommends that TNRCC de-list the water body.
The TNRCC was the predecessor agency of the TCEQ.
Implementation Plan
The commission approved the I-Plan on July 13, 2001.
- Implementation Plan for Lake Austin Dissolved Oxygen TMDL
- Response to Public Comment on the Lake Austin Implementation Plan
For More Information
Please email tmdl@tceq.texas.gov and mention the Lake Austin project in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
