Water Rights in Texas
Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 121, Issue 6
Abstract
Allocation of water in Texas evolved historically over several centuries into an essentially unmanageable system. Water management has progressed significantly in recent years with the transition of riparian rights to a surface-water permit system. Although the “law of the biggest pump” still governs, pressure for ground-water regulation continues to intensify. Water rights have become a major consideration in water-resources development and management in the state. This paper describes the Texas experience in allocating water resources among many competing users. The evolution of the water-rights system is outlined, and key issues remaining to be resolved are noted. The strategies adopted and the complexities encountered in Texas are representative of other states as well.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Bowman, J. A. (1993). “Reallocating Texas' water.”Texas Water Resour., 19(4).
2.
Davenport, H. (1954). “Development of the Texas law of waters.”Vernon's Annotated Revised Civil Statues of the State of Texas, Vol. 21, Vernon Law Book Co., St. Paul, Minn.
3.
Eaton, D. J., and Hurlbut, D. (1992). “Challenges in the binational management of water resources in the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo.”U.S.-Mexican Policy Rep. No. 2, Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, Univ. of Texas, Austin.
4.
Getches, D. H. (1990). Water law, 2nd Ed., West Publishing Co., St. Paul, Minn.
5.
Jensen, R. W. (1993). “Legislature agrees on compromise to manage Edwards Aquifer.”Texas Water Resour., 19(3).
6.
Kaiser, R. A. (1987). Handbook of Texas water law . Texas Water Resour. Inst., College Station, Tex.
7.
McCarl, B. A., Jordan, W. R., Williams, R. L., Jones, L. L., and Dillon, C. R. (1993). “Economic and hydrologic implications of proposed Edwards Aquifer management plans.”TR-158, Texas Water Resour. Inst., College Station, Tex.
8.
McNeely, J. G., and Lacewell, R. D. (1977). “Surface water management in Texas.”Rep., Texas Agric. Experiment Station, Texas A & M Univ. System, College Station, Tex.
9.
Murthy, K., Liu, J., and Crow, D. (1975). “Surface water allocation simulation model.”Water for Human Needs: Proc., Second World Congr. on Water Resour., Int. Water Resour. Assoc., Urbana, Ill.
10.
Rice, L., and White, M. D. (1987). Engineering aspects of water law . John Wiley & Sons, New York, N.Y.
11.
Templer, O. T. (1981). “The evolution of Texas water law and the impact of adjudication.”Water Resour. Bull., 17(5).
12.
“Underground water conservation districts.” (1991). Rep. to the 72nd Legislature, Texas Water Commission, Austin, Tex.
13.
“Water for Texas, today and tomorrow.” (1990). GP-5-1, Texas Water Devel. Board, Austin, Tex.
14.
Water for Texas, trans-Texas water program. (1994). Texas Water Devel. Board, Austin, Tex.
15.
Wurbs, R. A., Dunn, D. D., and Walls, W. B. (1993). “Water rights analysis package (TAMUWRAP), model description and users manual.”TR-146, Texas Water Resour. Inst., College Station, Tex.
16.
Wurbs, R. A., Sanchez-Torres, G., and Dunn, D. D. (1994). “Reservoir/ river system reliability considering water rights and water quality.”TR-165, Texas Water Resour. Inst., College Station, Tex.
17.
Wurbs, R. A., and Walls, W. B.(1989). “Water rights modeling and analysis.”J. Water Resour. Plng. and Mgmt., ASCE, 115(4), 416–430.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Nov 1, 1995
Published in print: Nov 1995
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.