Institutional and Hydrologic Water Availability in Texas

Abstract

The Water Availability Modeling (WAM) System created and maintained by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and its partner agencies and contractors consists of the generalized Water Rights Analysis Package (WRAP) developed at Texas A & M University, which may be applied anywhere in the world, and WRAP input datasets for the 23 river basins of Texas. WRAP is designed for assessing river/reservoir system reliabilities in meeting water supply, hydroelectric power, environmental flow, flood control, and reservoir storage needs. The Texas WAM System supports regional and statewide planning, administration of water allocation systems, and other water resources management endeavors. Activities of numerous water management entities operating 3,435 reservoirs and other facilities in accordance with treaties between the United States and Mexico, five interstate compacts, two water right permit systems with 6,000 active permits, and other institutional arrangements are simulated. The modeling system contributes greatly to water management in Texas and continues to be expanded to address additional water management issues. The Texas experience in implementing the WAM System illustrates key aspects of evaluating water availability from institutional as well as hydrologic perspectives.