The San Saba River is a vital waterway for Central Texas communities and wildlife and a crucial upstream tributary of the Colorado River. However, recurring and prolonged drought conditions in the basin often lead to low river flows, threatening the local agricultural economy and the communities that rely on it.
To protect this critical resource, Texas Water Trade and the San Saba River Trust have secured 515 acre-feet of senior water rights. Instead of being diverted, this water is now permanently dedicated to the river itself. This locally led acquisition will keep more than one billion gallons of water in the stream over the next decade, restoring continuous flow to a 2.5-mile stretch of the river, and benefiting the communities, habitats, and businesses that rely on it.
This is the first-ever permanent acquisition by Texas Water Trade and one of the first permanent water-right dedications to a local river trust in Texas. The San Saba River Trust will manage 100 percent of the water rights.
This innovative solution was made possible through catalytic financial support from Apple, which has committed to replenish 100 percent of its freshwater withdrawals globally by 2030. Apple’s primary corporate water footprint in Texas supports its Central Texas campuses and thousands of local employees. Apple recognizes that the Colorado River watershed is a shared resource and is committed to protecting and restoring it for people and ecosystems.
At TWT, we believe in the power of collaboration, working hand in hand with major water users in our state to build a future of flowing water for all Texans. That’s why we’re proud of this collaboration and hope to pursue more like it. By anchoring these rights in the hands of local water managers and reinforcing their protection, we are safeguarding private property rights, promoting local investment, and building a more resilient water future, not just for the region but also for the state of Texas.
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