Nonpoint source pollution was identified by the public as a priority concern. Further study is needed to identify nonpoint pollution sources. The public and other agencies welcome LCRA involvement and partnerships. The Tres Palacios Watershed is in south Central Texas in Wharton and Matagorda Counties and within the LCRA's 11 County District. It encompasses an area of approximately 322 square miles and extends from El Campo to the city of Palacios.
Land use is predominantly agricultural, with rice and ranching as the primary land use.
The Tres Palacios River has two distinct, yet different functions. The headwaters of the river are used as a drainage way for the City of El Campo's stormwater and municipal wastewater treatment plant discharges. Base flow in this area is intermittent and coincides with rain events and treatment plant overflows. In contrast, the lower portions of the river are used for contact recreation such as swimming and water-skiing and fishing. The river discharges into Tres Palacios Bay, one of the larger tertiary bays in Matagorda Bay.