For the past 10 years, we've had a property in Southern Lavaca County bordered on two sides by a named creek. This particular property is used routinely to teach youth outdoor and other skills. When we purchased, it was said by long-standing neighbors that it always flowed and had never run dry. I'd estimate that since some time in 2023, the water is gone and it's only present after a torrential downpour.
This past weekend, I was headed there and decided to document what's happening with photos. Roughly 3.5-4 miles Northwest from our property, you cross over on the same creek on a highway. It's got plenty of water flowing there as photos show. There isn't another public place to cross or access the creek between where the photos below are taken so it's tough for me to say with 100% certainty that someone has damned up or redirected the creek.
I've read conflicting information here and other places online about water redirection rights in Texas. We don't need the water for livestock, but it has changed the environment of the property and wildlife presence since the creek has gone dry.
Who should we contact? TCEQ? Army Corps of Engineers? The county? If anyone has dealt with something like this, I'd appreciate your wisdom/direction. Thanks in advance.
EDIT: I should also add that in late 2019, a new $1.4MM higher/wider bridge was built adjacent to our property to cross this creek due to the numerous times that heavy rains would cause it to overtake the bridge. Now it's a glorified drainage ditch.
Creek at highway bridge
Creek looking South ~ 3.5 miles later
Creek looking North ~3.5 miles later
This past weekend, I was headed there and decided to document what's happening with photos. Roughly 3.5-4 miles Northwest from our property, you cross over on the same creek on a highway. It's got plenty of water flowing there as photos show. There isn't another public place to cross or access the creek between where the photos below are taken so it's tough for me to say with 100% certainty that someone has damned up or redirected the creek.
I've read conflicting information here and other places online about water redirection rights in Texas. We don't need the water for livestock, but it has changed the environment of the property and wildlife presence since the creek has gone dry.
Who should we contact? TCEQ? Army Corps of Engineers? The county? If anyone has dealt with something like this, I'd appreciate your wisdom/direction. Thanks in advance.
EDIT: I should also add that in late 2019, a new $1.4MM higher/wider bridge was built adjacent to our property to cross this creek due to the numerous times that heavy rains would cause it to overtake the bridge. Now it's a glorified drainage ditch.
Creek at highway bridge
Creek looking South ~ 3.5 miles later
Creek looking North ~3.5 miles later
