Water Conservation

Our Rio Grande is facing a water crisis due to current severe drought conditions, climate
change, and overuse. We are working on projects to preserve our river while raising awareness
to further conserve our only source of drinking water.

Our Current Condition:

The image of the left is the Lower Rio Grande Basin (Yuan, Fasong & Miyamoto, Seiichi. (2004). Influence of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation on hydrochemistry of the Rio Grande, USA, and Mexico. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems. 5. 10.1029/2004GC000769.) and the image on the right lists some South Texas border cities and their designated water reservoirs.

The Lower Rio Grande Basin is fed by several major tributaries that come from both Mexico and the United States. Water from the Rio Grande is stored in major water reservoirs such as Amistad and Falcon. From these reservoirs water is allotted as a quota for agriculture and municipal uses. With continual population growth, agriculture expansion, and the current severe drought, our source of water has been dwindling every year, and it has not recovered.

Currently, the Amistad Reservoir is operating at very reduced water levels in comparison to prior years. With the current rate, the Amistad reservoir is projected to decrease to alarming levels if the drought conditions continues and no action is taken place to conserve our water. Check out this infographic to see the latest Amistad Reservoir water level.

Currently, the Amistad Reservoir which is our source of drinking water is operating at 43% full compared to last year's 52.7% full.

Data retrieved from https://waterdatafortexas.org/reservoirs/individual/amistad

Data retrieved from https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?TX

For the past several years, Texas has been afflicted by severe drought conditions. The current drought intensity that is affecting South Texas varies from moderate to severe drought. Check out the U. S. Drought Monitor tracks and records the drought conditions in Texas in real-time.

how you can help

Restoring the Rio Grande's health and natural hydrology

Conducting ecological restoration of native species

Mitigating climate change in our South Texas Region

By donating or by becoming a RGISC member, you can help us in our plight to preserve and protect the Rio Grande and its surrounding environment.

BECOME A MEMBER DONATE

Our River Projects:

Community Water and Energy Resource Center

RGISC is currently in the process of seeking funds to pilot an innovative waste-to-energy Community Water and Energy Resource Center (CWERC) to meet Laredo’s increasing need for wastewater treatment, while also assessing the value of such a facility to aid with the restoration of water resources, enhance native habitat, reduce water and wastewater utility costs, and enhance local renewable energy production.

Water Stakeholder Meeting

RGISC gathered a diverse group of stakeholders to develop a scientifically grounded, data-driven watershed management plan under an adaptive management framework for watershed restoration in the San Ambrosia-Santa Isabel Watershed of the Rio Grande. Through strong stakeholder engagement, RGISC aims to identify key priorities and work to obtain funding to address persistent problems and future challenges that our watershed faces.

A map of the 2010 river monitoring stations by the International Boundary and Water Commission
(https://www.ibwc.gov/crp/sa_home.htm)

Monthly River Monitoring

Every month, RGISC conducts river monitoring at different spots along the Rio Grande within the Webb County area. The data collected includes dissolved Oxygen, toxic substances in water, E.coli concentration, water temperature, pH, Chloride, Sulfate, total dissolved solids, Ammonia, Chlorophyll-a, Nitrates, Orthophosphorus, and total Phosphorus. The river monitoring data is submitted to the International Boundary and Water Commission's (IBWC) Texas Clean Rivers Program (TCRP), to monitor the river’s health and water quality.

Binational River Conservation Project

The Binational River Conservation Project is the first international conservation project intended to transform our community and change the narrative around the border by focusing on Laredo's greatest asset, the Rio Grande. The project will become a new regional and national landmark, restoring river ecology, improving safety and security, and attracting economic investment on both sides of the river while honoring our bicultural heritage and identity. The proposed 1,000-acre project seeks to restore 6.2 river miles and significantly enhance our quality of life. This project will prioritize ecological restoration of native habitats necessary in supporting migrating species, reverse soil degradation, and improve natural water filtration. In addition, the removal and management of invasive species will be key to the restoration of native habitat, hydrology of the river, and surrounding ecosystem.