Texas Drought Information
Large sections of the state are recovering from exceptional or extreme drought. Weather patterns and demand on supplies vary dramatically across the state. Prolonged, dry conditions put a strain on water supplies for all uses. Here is information to help you make better decisions about water use, including surface and groundwater regulations, and emergency procedures.
- Maps
- Drought and Public Water Systems
- Water Rights
- LCRA Water Management Plan
- Wildfires
- E-mail and Text Alerts
- How the TCEQ Responds to Drought
- Other Resources
- Development of a Rule for Drought or Water-Shortage Conditions
Commissioners' Summary of 2011 Drought Response 
- Drought Overview Presentation
(March 1, 2012) - Rainfall Totals:
Get e-mail or text updates on your choice of topics
Maps
- Drought Impact on Texas Surface Water (Posted June 9, 2016)
- Map of Drought Conditions
- Map of Texas Vegetation Conditions
- Map of Water Systems under Water-Use Restriction
- Map of Priority Call Areas on Surface Water Rights
Drought and Public Water Systems
- List of Texas PWSs Limiting Water Use to Avoid Shortages
- Map of Water Systems under Water-Use Restriction
- PWS Drought Contingency Plan Reporting Form
- Drought Contingency Plans
- Educational Materials Available to Water Systems
Emergency Management for Public Water Systems
- Video of Emergency Planning Workshop Presentation
- Emergency Planning Workshops for Public Utility Operators
- Questions from the TCEQ’s Workshops on Drought Emergency Planning: Answers to Help Drinking-Water Systems Prepare for Emergencies
- Emergency and Temporary Use of Wells for Public Water Supplies
- Emergency Interconnection Procedure for Public Water Systems
- List of Licensed Water Haulers
- Requests for Drinking Water Assistance from Local Governments
- Resources for Texas Water and Wastewater Utilities
- Emergency Drinking Water Annex A of the Drought Preparedness Plan
Water Rights
- How to Make a Water-Right Complaint
- How to Make a Water-Right Priority Call
- Letters to Water-Right Holders and Interested Parties
- How Rights to Surface Water Are Prioritized
- What Your Water Right Means
- River Authority and Watermaster Area Boundaries Map
- Groundwater Regulation for Private Well Owners
- Emergency Modification: LCRA Water Management Plan
Active Priority Calls on Surface Water Rights
- There are no active priority calls at this time.
Priority Calls No Longer in Effect
- Brazos River Priority-Call Area
- 2013 (ended October 8, 2013)
- 2012-2013 (ended January 24, 2013)
- 2011-2012 (ended January 27, 2012)
- 2009 (ended September 18, 2009)
- San Saba Watershed Priority-Call Area
- 2013 (ended October 8, 2013)
- 2012 (ended February 7, 2012)
- Neches River Priority-Call Area (ended April 4, 2012)
- Little Sandy Creek Watershed Priority-Call Area (ended February 16, 2012)
- Llano River Priority-Call Area (ended October 26, 2011)
E-mail and Text Alerts
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How the TCEQ Responds during Drought
- Consults public water systems regarding implementation of drought implementation plans and specific needs as they arise
- Tracks public drinking water systems under water use restrictions—both voluntary and mandatory
- Tracks and manages water-right draws of surface water
- Conducts training in TCEQ regional offices to equip inspectors in non-watermaster areas to measure and monitor surface water flows and to ensure the senior water-right priority calls are honored and respected by protecting the flow of water
- Staffs drought information hot line during business hours to answer questions from the public: 800-447-2827
- Enhances this Web page to cover a wide range of drought-related topics
- Conducts weekly meetings across programs to provide updates, monitor status and forecasts, and address concerns
- Sends targeted news releases in areas where water rights have been curtailed to provide information and encourage conservation
- Actively participates with other state agencies on Joint Information Council and Drought Preparedness Taskforce
Other Resources
- Texas Department of Agriculture's Water Source
- Texas Water Development Board's Drought in Texas
- Drought Resources from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
