A new report commissioned by the Texas Conservation Alliance reveals significant shortcomings in Texas' water planning process and the way the state assesses the yield of its reservoirs. The analysis, conducted independently by researcher Jordan Furnans PhD, PE, PG, (Regional Director, LRE Water), raises critical concerns for legislators and policymakers regarding the state's water security and economic stability.
The report highlights systemic issues with the continued heavy reliance on reservoirs, detailing challenges in accurately predicting how much water planned reservoirs will provide and pointing out potential conflicts of interest within the water planning process. It also examines planned reservoirs and the slow adaptation of the planning process to evolving realities and local initiatives.
Janice Bezanson, Senior Policy Director of the Texas Conservation Alliance, stated, “Reservoirs forever alter Texas’ landscape and natural environment. They take private property through eminent domain, and destroy communities, livelihoods and family homes, while drowning irreplaceable ecosystems. For decades, reservoirs have been the go-to tool for developing our state’s water needs, but a changing climate and advances in innovation demonstrate they are not the solution for our future. It’s time for Texas to move to more modern and less damaging solutions to meet water needs.”
Key findings from the report include:
- Inaccurate Assumptions: Texas water planners assume future water inflows and net reservoir evaporation rates will mirror historical data, despite evidence to the contrary. The report cites examples like Cedar Ridge Reservoir and the Highland Lakes, where anticipated water yields have been repeatedly reduced with newer data and models.
- Conflicts of Interest: Engineering and consulting firms involved in the planning process may be incentivized to promote water management strategies they could later be hired to design, build, or operate. The proposed Lake Ringgold project is highlighted as an example where planners who advocated for the reservoir were subsequently awarded a contract, despite potentially better alternatives.
- Flawed Process: The state water planning process is slow to adapt to changing water supply realities and local government initiatives. The report points to the City of Abilene's independent pursuit of the Fort Stockton Holdings Water Supply project outside the state planning process, which reduced the need for the Cedar Ridge Reservoir.
- Outdated Science: The report emphasizes the need for updated hydrologic models and planning strategies that reflect current climate data and hydrological trends. Legislative oversight is recommended to ensure water projects are evaluated based on present conditions, not outdated assumptions. The state planning process should be more adaptable to new supply sources and evolving water needs.
- Unnecessary Impact on Texans: The long-proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir, included in state water plans since 1968, faces significant opposition due to its economic and environmental consequences. While yield projections have declined, updated hydrological data suggests they may still be overstated. The report questions the feasibility of the Marvin Nichols Reservoir as the most viable water supply solution for the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
The report concludes that there is an urgent need for legislative action to modernize Texas' water planning process, ensure accurate yield projections, address conflicts of interest, and improve flexibility in adapting to new water supply challenges.
