PUBLISHED

 Texas Water Atlas

By Lawrence E. Estaville and Richard A. Earl
Preface by Andrew Sansom

Rainfall, hurricanes, rivers, reservoirs, springs, lakes, aquifers, wetlands, floodplains, water parks, irrigation, wells—the list of water-related topics in Texas is long and critical to the state's economic and political future. Texas Water Atlas provides the first comprehensive reference for water-related topics in Texas.

Paddling the Wild Neches (Texas A&M Nature Guides) (Turtleback)

From its origins on a sandy hillside in Van Zandt County, the Neches River flows through the heart of East Texas. In its watershed lies some of the wildest country in Texas, tucked amid the remains of one of the finest hardwood forests in the world.

With the goal of keeping the Neches flowing free, East Texas native and riverman Richard M. Donovan takes readers canoeing down a two-hundred-mile stretch of the upper Neches. Through two national forests and mile after mile of remote river woodlands, he chronicles the river's natural and cultural history, describes its animal inhabitants, recounts stories of early settlers and East Texas hunting traditions, and calls attention to the recreational potential of the river for paddlers and others, whether residents or visitors.

Donovan also makes a case against damming the river. He convincingly promotes the idea of turning the Neches into a National Wild and Scenic River, preserving forever the river's natural flow and what remains of the verdant bottomlands of this historic watercourse.

The San Marcos: A River's Story

By Jim Kimmel
Photographs by Jerry Touchstone Kimmel
Foreword by Andrew Sansom

The introductory section offers an illustrated guide to the common counts and measurements used for fish identification; a brief explanation of fish phylogeny; and a scientific key to help identify the fish families in Texas.

The book includes species accounts of native and introduced fishes found in the freshwaters of Texas. Each account covers the physical characteristics, habitat, and distribution of the fish, with additional comments of interest or importance to its life history and conservation status. With the largest collection to date of color photographs, including various color phases (breeding and non- breeding colors), the book also includes range maps within the species accounts. The closing pages of the book feature a glossary and reference section.

In a time when the state's water resources are beset by issues growing in both number and complexity, this book provides information for professionals and policy makers. It also contributes to the natural history education of the public.

Forthcoming

 Moore, J.G., W. Rast and W.M. Pulich. 2002. Proposal for an integrated management plan for the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo. In: Aldama, A., F.J. Aparicio and R. Equihua (eds.), First International Symposium on Transboundary Waters Management, Avances en Hidraulica 10, XVII Mexican Hydraulics Congress, Monterrey, Mexico, Nov. 18-22, 2002. p. 189-204.

ABSTRACT
The equitable allocation of the waters of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo below Fort Quitman , Texas between the United States and Mexico pursuant to their 1944 Treaty is seriously hampered by the occurrence of periodic droughts and floods. The Treaty obligates Mexico to supply specific annual releases of water from the Rio Conchos to the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo, an obligation it has failed to meet since 1992. The resulting friction between Texas and the adjoining Mexican states has strained relations between the two nations, and demonstrates that a fuller understanding of the actual quantity of readily-available water, both surface and underground, is essential to developing a long-term, mutually-satisfactory resolution of the disputes surrounding the current and possible future shortages in water deliveries from Mexico to the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo. We propose the joint development, elements and implementation of a long-term binational plan to meet future water demands on both sides of the border, as well as possible short-term, interim measures and actions to meet current and possible near-future water shortages.

Full article available ( PDF)

Moore, J.G. 2004. Management of the Edwards Aquifer; A Work in Progress. Edwards Water Resources in Central Texas: Retrospective and Prospective. Co-sponsored by South Texas Geological Society and Austin Geological Society. Omni Hotel, San Antonio, Texas, May 21, 2004

ABSTRACT
The Edwards Aquifer (Balcones Fault Zone) constitutes almost the entire source of water supply for San Antonio, Texas. The Aquifer contributes surface water flow in the Guadalupe River through Comal and San Marcos Springs, both of which are home to endangered aquatic species, including the fountain darter. Spring discharge also contributes to flow to fulfill water rights on the Guadalupe River, as well as providing the basis for a portion of the plan developed by the South Central Texas Regional Planning Group. In 1993, the late U.S. District Judge Lucius Bunton ruled that the Secretary of Interior had allowed takings of species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by not insuring adequate discharge from the Springs. Later in 1993, the 73rd Texas Legislature responded to a court-mandated deadline to protect spring discharge by establishing the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) to regulate groundwater withdrawals. Since the EAA began functioning in 1996, some of the issues that inspired the initial Aquifer litigation have been addressed. However, the most significant issues remain, including the total limit on pumping, reductions during critical periods, and an ESA Incidental Take Permit.

Full article available ( PDF)