The RGRWA at Work

The RGRWA was established as a forum for regional stakeholders to work together to ensure water for the future in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. We can issue bonds, compete for state and federal grants, bring parties together to resolve water issues, and build, own, and manage water infrastructure. We’ve been planning carefully since our creation by the Texas Legislature in 2003, defining our role and responsibilities and now identifying water projects we all can build together as a region — from drainage improvements to irrigation district efficiencies to alternative supplies of water.

Surge Valve Cooperative

The Cooperative is a new initiative of the RGRWA aimed at putting surge valves to work in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The RGRWA has been awarded a WaterSMART grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that will offset the cost of surge valves for up to 32 volunteer cooperators in an extended demonstration of the technology. Read More

Lower Rio Grande Basin Study Basin Map

RGRWA and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are conducting a basin study to evaluate the impacts of climate variability and change on water supply imbalances within an eight county region along the U.S./Mexico border in south Texas that form the Rio Grande Regional Water Planning Group (Region M). Those counties are Cameron, Willacy, Hidalgo, Starr, Zapata, Jim Hogg, Webb, and Maverick. Also collaborating on the project are Texas Water Development Board, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and International Boundary and Water Commission. Read More

Water Market

RGRWA provides a free listing service for those who need and those who have Rio Grande water for sale or lease. The RGRWA does not guarantee the information posted; all transactions must be approved by the Rio Grande Watermaster. Read More

Invasive Aquatic Species

MorilloDrainClean-300x238Because the Rio Grande is the “life blood” of our community, threats to its flow and water quality have serious economic and environmental impacts. For this reason RGRWA has created the Aquatic Weed Task Force to lead the battle against the rapidly-growing populations of aquatic weeds. Read More

El Morillo Drain

Fifty years ago, the Rio Grande was inundated with high salinity levels that threatened community drinking water as well as the local agricultural economy. The salty water was coming from land run-off in Mexico. The United States and Mexican governments devised a solution to build a drain, or canal, system to prevent the salty water from reaching the Rio Grande. This effort would eventually be known as the El Morillo Drain. Read More

Charles Browning Jr. Water Conservation Scholarship

The Rio Grande Regional Water Authority, along with Mr. Jimmie Steidinger of the Donna Irrigation District, established a $10,000 scholarship fund at Texas A&M University-Kingsville named in honor of Charles Browning, Jr., the former general manager of the North Alamo Water Supply Corporation. Read More