The Watershed’s two bayous, the East and West Forks, have been listed as impaired (not meeting water quality standards as established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) for recreational use since 2014 and 2006 (2022 Texas Integrated Report’s 303(d)). The primary pollutant of concern is bacteria from fecal waste, which has caused the East and West Forks of Double Bayou to be impaired for recreation use. Potential sources of fecal waste in the Double Bayou Watershed include sanitary sewer overflows, failing on-site sewage facilities, stormwater runoff, animal waste, livestock such as cattle, improper disposal of waste from boats, a wastewater treatment facility, and wildlife, including feral hogs.
In 2012, the Double Bayou Partnership was formed to initiate development of a stakeholder-led Watershed Protection Plan. At different times throughout the watershed planning process, a host of organizations have participated including the Houston Advanced Research Center, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation District, Galveston-Bay Estuary Program and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, United States Geological Survey, Shead Conservation Solutions, and United States Environmental Protection Agency. The final version of the Double Bayou WPP was approved by stakeholders and accepted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in July 2016.
Implementation of the Double Bayou Watershed Protection Plan is underway to support health and restoration of water quality within the East and West Forks. The implementation process applies the Double Bayou Watershed Protection Plan as a roadmap to improve water quality based on the voluntary management measures and collaborative approach that stakeholders incorporated in the planning process. The Double Bayou Partnership continues to be instrumental in the implementation of management measures.
