Surface Water Rivers, Streams, and Lakes Groundwater Aquifers and Springs Fresh Water Sources

In a state so rich in diversity, regional water issues are as broad and variable as the Texas terrain.

Groundwater: Hueco-Mesilla Bolson Aquifer Surface water : Rio Grande River BIG BEND REGION Water Supply

75% goes to irrigation. 75% goes to irrigation. Surface water supplies 60% of the region’s needs. BIG BEND REGION Water Demand

BIG BEND REGION Rugged Terrain Characteristics Springfed creeks and cienegas

Water-hungry invasives BIG BEND REGION Threats Long term drought

Sharing the Rio Grande with MexicoSharing the Rio Grande with Mexico Declining water supplyDeclining water supply Population explodingPopulation exploding BIG BEND REGION Challenges

Groundwater : Gulf Coast, Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifers Surface Water : San Jacinto, Trinity, Brazos, Nueces, San Antonio Rivers GULF COAST REGION Water Supply

GULF COAST REGION Mid-North Coast: Surface water meets 67% of the region’s needs. South Coast: Surface water meets 75% of the region’s needs and about half goes for municipal uses. Surface water meets 75% of the region’s needs and about half goes for municipal uses. Water Demand

GULF COAST REGION Supports 60%-90% of fisheries in the entire U.S. Supports 60%-90% of fisheries in the entire U.S. Saltwater fishing nets billions of dollars annually. Characteristics

Wetland habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate.Wetland habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate. Pollution from upstream prevents new life from surviving.Pollution from upstream prevents new life from surviving. Water supplies may be insufficient to meet the demand.Water supplies may be insufficient to meet the demand. GULF COAST REGION Threats

GULF COAST REGION Challenges Upstream demands for water restrict the flow into coastal wetlands. Increases in population cause increase in water demand.

Groundwater : Edwards and Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifers Edwards and Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifers Surface water : Colorado, Guadalupe and Nueces Rivers Colorado, Guadalupe and Nueces Rivers HILL COUNTRY REGION Water Supply

Surface water supplies 61% of the water demand. More than half of that goes to cities. HILL COUNTRY REGION Water Demand

HILL COUNTRY REGION Cascading streamsCascading streams Deep blue reservoirsDeep blue reservoirs Bubbling springsBubbling springs Plants and animals found nowhere elsePlants and animals found nowhere else Characteristics

Many Springs have dried up or stopped flowing. Rainwater is diverted away from recharge zones. HILL COUNTRY REGION Threats

Population is expected to increase by 70%. HILL COUNTRY REGION Challenges

Groundwater : Ogallala, Seymour, Cenozoic Pecos Alluvium, Edwards-Trinity Aquifers Ogallala, Seymour, Cenozoic Pecos Alluvium, Edwards-Trinity Aquifers Surface Water : Red, Pecos, Canadian, Colorado and Brazos Rivers Red, Pecos, Canadian, Colorado and Brazos Rivers PANHANDLE PLAINS Water Supply

PANHANDLE PLAINS Groundwater from the Ogallala aquifer supplies 97% of the water demand. Water Demand While most is for irrigation, the Ogalalla provides drinking water for millions.

PANHANDLE PLAINS 25,000 playa lakes provide habitat for ducks, geese and migratory birds. 25,000 playa lakes provide habitat for ducks, geese and migratory birds. Characteristics

Poor agricultural practices can destroy playa lakes. Groundwater can be contaminated by abandoned oil fields. PANHANDLE PLAINS Threats

Managing groundwater in a right of capture state is a challenge. Managing groundwater in a right of capture state is a challenge. Pumping from the Ogallala Aquifer exceed the rate of recharge. Over time, the aquifer level is dropping. PANHANDLE PLAINS Challenges

Groundwater: Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer Surface Water : Sabine, Cypress, Sulphur and Red Rivers Sabine, Cypress, Sulphur and Red Rivers PINEYWOODS REGION Water Supply

Surface water meets 88% of the demand. PINEYWOODS REGION Water Demand More than half of that is used by manufacturing.

PINEYWOODS REGION Pine forests with seasonally wet hardwood forest bottoms. Characteristics

Redistribution of water to other regions of the state. Loss of bottomland hardwoods. Loss of bottomland hardwoods. PINEYWOODS REGION PINEYWOODS REGION Threats

PINEYWOODS REGION Appropriating fresh water for future demands while balancing requests for water from other regions. Challenges

Groundwater : Trinity Aquifer Surface Water : Trinity, Red, Brazos Rivers PRARIES AND LAKES Water Supply

Groundwater supplies 92% of the water for DFW. A combination of groundwater and surface water supply the rest of this region. PRARIES AND LAKES Water Demand

PRARIES AND LAKES Known for its reservoirs and record-making fishing. Characteristics

Widespread pollution affects waters across the region. Widespread pollution affects waters across the region. PRARIES AND LAKES PRARIES AND LAKES Threats

Maintaining water quality in highly populated areas. PRARIES AND LAKES Challenges

Surface Water : Guadalupe, San Antonio, Nueces, Lavaca and Rio Grande Rivers Groundwater : Edwards, Trinity, Carrizo-Wilcox and Gulf Coast Aquifers Edwards, Trinity, Carrizo-Wilcox and Gulf Coast Aquifers SOUTH TEXAS REGION Water Supply

Groundwater: Source for 76% of San Antonio’s water. About half of the groundwater pumped in South Texas goes for irrigation. Source for 76% of San Antonio’s water. About half of the groundwater pumped in South Texas goes for irrigation. Surface water: Source for 98% of the water used in the Lower Rio Grande Valley – primarily for irrigation. Source for 98% of the water used in the Lower Rio Grande Valley – primarily for irrigation. Water Demand SOUTH TEXAS REGION

Plains of thorny shrubs and trees dotted with deep blue- water lakes. Scattered patches of palms and subtropical woodlands in the Rio Grande Valley. Characteristics

Population in Lower Rio Grande to increase by 175% Population in Lower Rio Grande to increase by 175% Future Surface water rights are already taken Future Surface water rights are already taken SOUTH TEXAS REGION Threats

SOUTH TEXAS REGION Challenges Restoring regular flow to the mouth of the Rio Grande. Competing with Mexico for water resources.

Keep Texas Wild!