Rethinking Reservoirs: A Practical Look at Texas Water Planning for Long-Term Reliability

As Texas faces more frequent droughts and fast-growing water demand, the 2022 State Water Plan includes several major surface reservoir projects—but are they the most cost-effective, environmentally sound solutions available?

A recent independent report, authored by Dr. Jordan Furnans, Evaluating Proposed Texas Reservoirs, re-examines the planning process behind these projects, questioning outdated yield estimates and highlighting more flexible, fiscally responsible options like aquifer storage, desalination, and water reuse. It also encourages stronger transparency in permitting and planning decisions—ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, and communities are protected.

At Spheros Environmental, we believe sound water policy must balance economic growth, environmental integrity, and responsible stewardship of natural resources. This report helps inform better decision-making by identifying both opportunities and risks in Texas’ evolving water future. Read the report below to see how smart planning today can secure Texas’ prosperity tomorrow.

Explore the full report here.

 

About the Author

Dr. Jordan Furnans has 24 years of professional experience in both field hydrologic data collection and analysis of data through the development and application of numerical models. He specializes in the areas of water right accounting; coupled field and model hydrodynamic investigations of estuaries, lakes, and rivers; water availability modeling; watershed hydrology planning and management; floodplain management; hydrographic and sedimentation survey methods; and freshwater inflow and instream flow requirements for ecosystem health. Dr. Furnans also has expertise in groundwater well design and permitting support. 

If you have a need related to aquifer storage, desalination, and water reuse, email Dr. Furnans at Jordan.Furnans@LREwater.com