Regional Water System
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Joint Funding Agreement between North Texas Municipal Water District and the United States Geological Survey for Continuation of Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program, Surface Water Data Collection and Water Quality Monitoring
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SUBJECT
recommendation
Authorize execution of a Joint Funding Agreement with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) for continuation of zebra mussel monitoring, surface water data collection, and water quality monitoring.
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PURPOSE
This monitoring agreement assists the District by informing proactive operations, planning, and maintenance activities at Lake Texoma, Lavon Lake, Bois d’Arc Lake, and the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) Wylie Water Treatment Plant. Monitoring also allows compliance with reporting requirements set forth in the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Water Right Permit and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 404 Permit for Bois d’Arc Lake.
RECOMMENDATION
The Executive Director and NTMWD staff recommend the Board of Directors authorize the Executive Director to execute a joint funding agreement as follows:
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Contracting Party: |
United States Geological Survey |
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Scope: |
Zebra mussel, stream flow and water quality monitoring |
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Project: |
USGS Joint Funding Agreement No. 27SJJFATX091000, Water Resource Investigations |
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Amount: |
$308,280 |
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Committee: |
This will be a Champion update at the October 21, 2026, Water Committee meeting |
DRIVER(S) FOR THIS PROJECT
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Strategic Objective: |
1.3 Proactive Asset & Maintenance Management 1.1 High Quality Services |
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☐ Regulatory Compliance |
☒ Asset Condition |
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☐ Capacity |
☐ Redundancy/Resiliency |
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☐ Relocation or External Requests |
☐ Operational Efficiency |
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☐ Safety |
☐ Administrative |
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☐ Policy |
☐ Other _____________ |
BACKGROUND
ZEBRA MUSSEL MONITORING
• In 2009, adult zebra mussels were found in Lake Texoma. Zebra mussels have also been detected in the Lavon Lake watershed and are a concern for Bois d’Arc Lake.
• Zebra mussels are an invasive species that can attach to water system infrastructure such as gates, screens, pipes and valves and interfere with water transmission and treatment operations.
• It is important to monitor for early detection in order to inform proactive operations, planning and maintenance activities.
• NTMWD has partnered with USGS to fund efforts related to zebra mussel monitoring at Lake Texoma and other facilities since 2009.
STREAM FLOW & WATER QUALITY MONITORING
• NTMWD has been working with USGS since 2006 to collect stream flow and water quality data in Bois d’Arc Creek in support of planning, design and construction of Bois d’Arc Lake.
• The TCEQ Water Right and USACE 404 Permit for Bois d’Arc Lake requires NTMWD to monitor stream flow on Bois d’Arc Creek at locations upstream and downstream of the lake and to monitor water level elevation on the lake itself after construction is complete.
• The necessary stream gages and water quality instruments are currently in place on sites at Bois d’Arc Creek and Bois d’Arc Lake.
PROJECT PURPOSE
• Continue to monitor for early detection of invasive mussels in support of operations to proactively select and implement control strategies if mussel populations are detected.
• Operate and maintain existing stream gages and water quality instrumentation on Bois d’Arc Creek to collect stream flow, lake elevation and water quality data required for regulatory compliance.
• Operate and maintain an existing water elevation gauge on Bois d’Arc Lake.
PROJECT COMPONENTS
• Monitor for the occurrence of zebra mussel and quagga mussel larvae, juveniles, and adults.
• Determine the distribution, spread and population dynamics of zebra and quagga mussels at study areas in the North Texas region.
• Operate and maintain existing flow gages on Bois d’Arc Creek at FM 271, FM 100, FM 409 and Hwy 56.
• Operate and maintain existing water elevation gauge on Bois d’Arc Lake at the Dam.
• Monitor water quality on Bois d’Arc Creek at Hwy 56 and FM 409
• The proposed USGS/NTMWD cost split for this agreement is as follows:
o USGS contribution = $60,520 (16%)
o NTMWD contribution = $308,280 (84%)
o Total = $368,800
• The joint funding agreement between NTMWD and USGS will substantially conform to the attached draft agreement.
FUNDING
Description Amount
USGS Contribution $ 60,520
NTMWD Contribution $308,280
Project Total $368,800
Requested Amount $308,280
Funding is to be made available in the Regional Water System 2026-27 Annual Operating Budget.