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Surface Water Resources

Mission

To collect, analyze, and disseminate data related to hydro-meteorological and surface water conditions across the state and to provide technical expertise in support of water supply and flood planning. Division activities include: (1) data collection, evaluation and dissemination; (2) model development and interpretation; (3) performance of investigations, surveys and research studies; (4) preparation of reports; (5) administration of Board-sponsored research contracts with universities, government agencies and private companies; and, (6) technical evaluation and review of reports and applications for financial assistance.

Products and Services of Business

Data, models and studies are provided to state water planners, regulators, lake and reservoir owners, and other decision-makers as required.  Publications are made available to the state library system.  Most surface water data collected by the Surface Water Resources Division, including lake hydrographic survey data, is published, a significant portion of which is made available to TWDB's customers, partners, and other interested parties via the agency website.  Additional data is made available upon request.

Solicitation of Stakeholder Ideas for Projects to Support Surface Water Science

Submission Deadline: 5:00 PM on October 15, 2025

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) solicits stakeholder ideas for projects to advance surface water science in Texas during the 2026 – 2027 biennium. While the TWDB carries out routine data collection, monitoring, and modeling activities to support Surface Water programs, by soliciting ideas, we aim to have a more comprehensive view of projects that can benefit our stakeholders and provide a greater understanding of surface water resources in Texas. Submitted ideas will inform the activities of our Surface Water programs, including River Science & Hydrosurvey, Coastal Science, Water Availability, and the TexMesonet hydrometeorology network.

Project ideas should support agency strategies focused on planning and guiding the conservation and management of the state’s surface water resources to ensure a secure water future for Texas, as listed below:

  • Strategy A.1.1 Environmental Impact Information, including to collect, analyze, and facilitate access to data and information to support a sound ecological environment in streams, rivers, bays, and estuaries
  • Strategy A.1.2 Water Resources Data, including to collect, analyze, and facilitate access to data and information in support of planning, conservation, and responsible development of surface water and groundwater and to determine the quantity and quality of water available and environmental flow needs
  • Strategy A.2.1 Technical Assistance and Modeling, to conduct studies on surface water and groundwater resources, provide technical assistance to the regional and state water supply planning process, and apply surface water availability models to support planning, conservation, and responsible development of water in Texas

The TWDB welcomes all ideas that advance surface water science but is seeking input specifically in the areas of:

  • Environmental flows, including instream flow and freshwater inflow needs
  • Sediment transport and composition in lakes, rivers, and estuaries
  • Surface water and groundwater interactions – understanding gain-loss relationships
  • Water availability – factors contributing to changes in water supply and availability
  • Hydrometeorology – efforts yielding data products, tools, and summary information to inform drought and flood conditions

Please use the link below to access the idea submission form. Link to Submission Form

Please send questions and comments to Surface Water

For questions about Surface Water, please refer to Contacts Page