Representatives from the City of Corpus Christi Water and the San Patricio Municipal Water District (MWD) recently presented an update on the regional water supply situation, citing an ongoing four-and-a-half-year drought of record.
The Western Reservoirs (Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon) are currently providing less than 30% of the region’s supply, with combined lake levels at approximately 10.9%. Currently, 70% of the water supply is sourced from the Eastern sources (Lake Texana and the Lower Colorado River) via the Mary Roads pipeline.
Corpus Christi Water (CCW) is prioritizing short-term groundwater projects to avoid a water emergency, which is currently modeled to occur 180 days (six months) before November 2026. Short-term efforts include the Nueces Groundwater Program, which features eight operational wells along the Nueces River producing up to 10 MGD, and the ongoing development of additional wells near Blunter, expected to produce 17 to 18 MGD by May 2026. The state of Texas has awarded a $30 million grant to support the Nueces project.
Mid- and long-term projects include the 24 MGD Evangeline Groundwater Project in San Patricio County, targeting partial delivery by November 2026, and developing seawater desalination plants, including the Inner Harbor and the proposed Barney Davis sites.