Disappearing Rio Grande: The Devils Problem

The Texas Tribune

The color of the Devils River changes with depth from light and clear to dark blue. Photo by: Jessica Lutz

The color of the Devils River changes with depth from light and clear to dark blue. Photo by: Jessica Lutz

The Devils River flows clear as gin before it enters Lake Amistad and joins the Rio Grande. It’s the cleanest river in Texas, supports endangered fish and birds and is home to plants found nowhere else in the state.

It's less than 70 miles long and is arguably the most protected river in Texas. But despite the 38,000 acres of state natural area and the 160,000 acres of land and conservation easements along its banks that are held by the Texas chapter of The Nature Conservancy, a supporter of this project, the river’s most crucial aspect is not safeguarded. 

“If we protect the whole river basin but we have not protected the aquifer, it may not be enough,” said Nature Conservancy biologist John Karges. 

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Pipeline From the Border Would Bring Water to Permian Basin Towns

Marfa Public Radio

There’s a proposal on the table in Texas to pipe water from the borderlands region of Val Verde County – home to Del Rio – to 13 rural counties in the Permian Basin.

Despite the recent rains we’ve seen, the drought’s still a long-term problem for some parts of the Basin, and the Val Verde Water Company says it can help.

Reporter Alana Rocha joined us to talk about her story on the plan for the Texas Tribune. She spoke with the company, environmentalists opposed to the plan, and some city officials who have rejected similar proposals from V.V. Water in the past.

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Small Towns Wrestle With Lengths They'll Go For Water

The Texas Tribune

Previous efforts by V.V. Water to supply larger cities like San Antonio and San Angelo fell through amid skepticism and opposition from various environmental groups and local governments, many of which are vowing to fight this venture as well. But this time is different, the company says, because it is trying to entice area oil and gas companies as customers to help lower the potential cost for the small communities. READ FULL STORY →