A Comprehensive Review of Droughts in Texas and their Implications on Water Policy and Future Management Strategies

Prolonged and extreme droughts have plagued the Texas region for centuries. Texas has faced hydrological, agricultural, ecological, and economic impacts from three major drought events: the 1950s, the 2010s, and the current drought, which has caused significant damage across all sectors. Climate models indicate that droughts will continue to be a recurring feature and will intensify due to population surges, climate change, and increased water demands. Statistical evidence suggests that our water supplies are being diminished due to the increased frequency of droughts. Major river basins in Texas, such as the Brazos, Colorado, Guadalupe, Nueces, Rio Grande, and San Antonio, experienced low water levels and extreme drying rates in certain segments during drought periods. Depleted water sources in the river basins are impacting ecologically critical species that are vital to the functionality of these water systems. Due to recurring drought events, the populations of many endangered and native species are declining at an alarming rate, and some are even facing extinction. The establishment of historical water policy and regulation was integral in providing the foundational framework for managing surface water in Texas. The ongoing threat of drought, coupled with the growing population, is causing an extreme water scarcity issue in Texas. This paper synthesizes relevant literature that explores the recurring effects of droughts and their impact on the effectiveness of Texas water policy. A primary goal of this paper is to discuss how various management strategies can be integrated to conserve our water supply, enabling us to become more resilient to future droughts in Texas.

Name thesis:degree_name

Masters of Applied Geography

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Natural Resources and Environmental Studies

Grantor

Texas State University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Goolsby, Gabrielle

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Meitzen, Kimberly

Committee member dc:contributor.committeemember

• Krause, Samantha

• Texas droughts
• Texas water policy
• water management
• water planning

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/21205

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/21205