Three Rivers questions Corpus Christi over Choke Canyon water outlook | The Progress

Three Rivers questions Corpus Christi over Choke Canyon water outlook

The City of Three Rivers is raising concerns about water availability, with growing uncertainty over projections and operations at Choke Canyon Reservoir.

In a Public Notice – Water Supply Update, Three Rivers officials said that on March 10, they were informed by the City of Corpus Christi of plans to release additional water from Choke Canyon Reservoir into Lake Corpus Christi. The news was unexpected since Three Rivers had been told water would remain available for the town to draw through May 2027.

Shortly after Three Rivers released the notice, Corpus Christi officials quickly disputed that account.

In a statement, the City of Corpus Christi said, “There have been no operational changes in the City of Corpus Christi’s management of Choke Canyon Reservoir, the water projection models are accurate, and the City of Corpus Christi is in full compliance with all water rights issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).”

On March 24, Corpus Christi officials reiterated that position in an email to Three Rivers City Administrator Thomas Salazar, maintaining that no changes in reservoir operations have occurred.

Three Rivers officials, however, pointed to discussions during a March 10 meeting in which Corpus Christi representatives outlined plans to release more water and explained the anticipated benefits of increased yield. In its second public notice, the City of Three Rivers stated that the approach has created “an atmosphere of uncertainty and garnering significant and negative local, state and national attention.”

Salazar said Corpus Christi has not responded to requests for updated timelines. Current projections from Corpus Christi indicate a Level 1 Water Emergency could occur as early as November 2026, when available supply would fall within 180 days of demand. Under those projections, Choke Canyon Reservoir could be depleted early next year.

Adding to the discrepancy, a memo from Robert Black, chief of staff to Gov. Greg Abbott, to the TCEQ noted, “According to the City’s (Corpus Christi) models, these reservoirs may be depleted as soon as May 2026.”

Information supplied by the online Corpus Christi Water Supply Dashboard, which provides data on Choke Canyon and Lake Corpus Christi, was unavailable March 24, displaying an error message.

Choke Canyon Reservoir is primarily owned by Corpus Christi, which holds a 78% share. The Nueces River Authority owns 20%, and the City of Three Rivers holds 2%. Additionally, TCEQ requires that 33 cubic feet per second be released below the dam into the Frio River, where Three Rivers currently pumps water for its municipal supply.

City officials said their contingency plan is to rely on Frio River water as long as possible while preparing additional sources. “The plan includes surface water from the Frio, but also water from the Woodward Well,” Salazar said. That well draws from the Carrizo Aquifer, though the water must be cooled from temperatures of 130 to 140 degrees before use.

Salazar emphasized that accurate timelines are critical for planning. “Having an accurate projection will give us time to treat the water and work out the bugs,” he said, referring to efforts to integrate water from the Woodward Well with existing supplies.

In its second public notice, the City of Three Rivers called on Corpus Christi to provide clearer water projections, adopt strategies that respect the town’s water rights, and improve communication moving forward.