Top Subjects of Interest: Water Rights
Surface water in a Texas watercourse is water of the state and is owned by the state. People who divert waters of the state for beneficial uses must hold a water right granted by the TCEQ in most instances.
Surface Water Rights and Availability
The TCEQ has rules that determine whether or not a water right is required and how much can be stored or diverted.
The Watermaster Program
Some river basins have watermasters who manage water rights more closely to prevent or decrease the severity of shortages.