Water Quality Status and Trends 2024
The Texas Coastal Bend is home to ecologically and economically vital waterbodies that support biodiversity and drive industries such as fishing and tourism. These estuarine and freshwater systems serve as critical habitats for a wide variety of wildlife, including birds, mammals, fish, and shellfish. However, population growth, changing land use, and climate-related stressors — such as increased storm intensity, sea level rise, and ocean acidification — pose growing threats to water quality in the region. Maintaining healthy water quality is crucial for sustaining the natural ecosystems and the economic well-being of local communities.
To better understand the state of water quality across the Coastal Bend, researchers conducted a recent assessment using data from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Surface Water Quality Monitoring (SWQM) program. Building on a previous study that focused on bay systems through 2019, this project extended the analysis through 2023 and, for the first time, incorporated stream conditions feeding into the bays.
The goal was to provide resource managers with an updated and comprehensive view of long-term water quality trends and identify areas requiring further attention. Overall, results indicated that while many bay systems maintain acceptable water quality, several areas are showing signs of nutrient enrichment, bacterial pollution, or other forms of degradation.
Specific waterbodies identified as experiencing water quality degradation include Port Bay, Mission River tidal, Aransas River tidal, Aransas River, Redfish Bay, Oso Bay, Nueces River tidal, Baffin Bay, and its tributaries — Petronila Creek, San Fernando Creek, and Los Olmos Creek.
These areas exhibited symptoms such as excessive nutrients and bacterial contamination, which can lead to ecological imbalance and public health concerns. The study recommends prioritizing these sites in future funding and management strategies, including pollutant source tracking and load reduction efforts. Targeted intervention in these systems is necessary to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the Coastal Bend’s aquatic ecosystems.