Water continues racing through rivers and into reservoirs that supply the Coastal Bend.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — More than a week after heavy rains drenched parts of South Texas, water is still moving through the Nueces River system, bringing relief to drought-stricken communities and helping replenish water supplies downstream.
Near Tilden in McMullen County, the Nueces River is running high after widespread rainfall across the watershed last Monday and Tuesday. The increased flow has even caused some low-level flooding along portions of the river, a sight local leaders say is welcome after years of dry conditions.
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McMullen County Judge James Teal said the recent rainfall has transformed the landscape.
“Any rainfall is welcome in McMullen County Courthouse and it’s been quite some time since we’ve seen it this green and we really really really thank god for each and every drop that we’ve gotten.”
The water continues making its way downstream through the river system.
In Three Rivers, the Atascosa River is still flowing, though not at the levels seen immediately after the storms. The Frio River at Tips Park also remains full, carrying additional water toward the Nueces River and helping keep the system supplied.
Three Rivers City Manager Thomas Salazar said the community continues to benefit from runoff arriving from areas farther north.
“we feel like we’ve been getting a lot of good water up north from Pleasanton. Also a little bit has been coming down the Frio on the Tilden. It just started coming down a couple of days ago. The lake level has risen up to I believe 8.8. At its highest.”
Three Rivers city officials expect to bring a new water well online within the next week or two, providing another source of water and reducing the city’s reliance on Choke Canyon Reservoir and river flows.
“water wells should be done and completed in the next week and a half or sometime next week we’ll have it ready. We’re just finishing up a few things on the electrical side.”
City leaders say recent drought conditions across South Texas have highlighted the importance of maintaining multiple water sources to ensure reliable supplies during dry periods.
The additional water moving through the Nueces River system is also helping recharge Lake Corpus Christi, a key source of drinking water for communities throughout the Coastal Bend.