San Antonio River Authority Water Rights Portfolio Overview

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

With the adoption of the San Antonio River Authority’s (River Authority) FY25-FY30 strategic plan, a focus was put on strategic assets through Goal 1: Acquire strategic assets that increase the ability to preserve and enhance creeks and rivers throughout the basin . While much of the conversation surrounding this goal has focused on potential land acquisition, another crucial component of this effort is the understanding of the River Authority’s existing water rights portfolio and a discussion on the organizational strategy throughout the life of the strategic plan and beyond. The River Authority has a portfolio of water rights acquired through the years for various purposes throughout the watershed. These rights grant the River Authority permission to impound, divert and discharge water for recreational, industrial, municipal, agricultural and other uses. The River Authority currently holds 13 water rights, can divert more than 11,000 acre-feet of water per year, impound water at more than 40 locations throughout the basin and is authorized to discharge water from our network of wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs). The water discharged from our WWTFs and the long-term capital improvement plan provide the most obvious opportunity to increase the volume of diversion rights. However, the long-term strategy adopted by the River Authority must also consider the environmental impacts of removing water from creeks and rivers and balance the needs between humans and the environment. This presentation will discuss the existing River Authority water rights portfolio, identify potential areas for growth of that portfolio and discuss other factors to consider as we adopt a strategy to support the River Authority’s commitment to preserving and enhancing creeks and rivers throughout the basin.