A long-idle well is nearly online, which would free the city from relying on Corpus Christi for its water.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The City of Three Rivers is nearing a major boost to its water supply as a long-idle well prepares to come online.
At the city’s water treatment plant, crews are working at full capacity to manage large volumes of muddy runoff moving through the system from recent storms in the Pleasanton area. City leaders say that pressure may soon ease.
City Manager Thomas Salazar says a key groundwater source is close to activation and will fully supply the city with water.
“The Woodward well is fixing to come online in the next 4 to 5 weeks. We should be getting plenty of water. That we should be able to produce enough water to keep water flowing into town.”
The development comes as the broader regional water system continues to be managed carefully.
At Choke Canyon Dam, the City of Corpus Christi still releases water down the Frio River for Three Rivers to use in its water system. But those operations are now paired with major maintenance work.
During a routine inspection, crews discovered a cast iron sluice gate stuck near the closed position and not sealing properly. A $2.8 million repair project is now underway.
Corpus Christi Water COO Nick Winkelmann says the timing actually helps crews get the work done safely.
“Because the lake level is lower now it’s a good time to do this type of repair and maintenance.”
More work is also underway at Lake Corpus Christi’s Wesley Seale Dam, where city officials are completing additional gate repairs.
Winkelmann says the upgrades are routine but necessary.
“Spillway gates overtime require removal, sandblasting, inspection, and re-coating and to re-install them.”
City officials say the combined projects at Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon are designed to strengthen long-term reliability and ensure the system can handle future water demands and high-flow events.