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  • We’re not who you think we are

    We’re not who you think we are
    2026/09/01
    It turns out “River Authority” is a loaded name and lots of folks assume we handle everything that happens on or near the Brazos. From flood control to fish kills to docks and development, we’re explaining what we don’t do — and pointing you to the right place when it’s not us. So, tune in to see which sites you should bookmark when you want to skip a phone call to find out who oversees something. Or call us at 888-922-6272, and we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction, whether it’s us or not.Unpacking the Brazos River is a podcast by the Brazos River Authority. Here’s a quick recap of some of the agencies discussed during the episode and what they do:Texas Commission on Environmental Quality:Issues and manages water rights and permitsOversees the Brazos Watermaster Program, which ensures each permit holder only takes their allowed amount of water and reports usage regularlyHandles pollution reports, fish kill reports, algae concerns, and dumping complaintsU.S. Army Corps of EngineersOwns/operates eight reservoirs in the BRA Water Supply System, and many other reservoirs not in that system Handles flood control on these federal reservoirs City of WacoOwns and manages Lake Waco and Lake Brazos as water supplies for Waco and surrounding areasTexas Parks & Wildlife DepartmentEnforces fishing regulations and issues sand & gravel permits for any work done on the riverbed (like erosion control or dock construction)Game wardens handle overfishing, illegal motorized vehicles in riverbeds, or other state-law violations on the riverCounty Sheriff’s OfficeCan respond to suspicious or illegal activity on the river FEMAProvides floodplain information and maps for property owners concerned about flooding risksGo here to read an article on this topic if you don't have time to listen to the podcast. Share your thoughts, questions, and ideas for podcast episodes you’d like to hear about at information@brazos.org. Host: Charlie L. Shugart, BRA assistant public information officer.Guests: Judi Pierce, BRA public information officer, Candice Sheridan, BRA public information coordinatorIntro music: Clay Sellers, BRA lab analyst. About us: The Brazos River Authority was created by the Texas Legislature in 1929 and was the first state agency in the United States created specifically for the purpose of developing and managing the water resources of an entire river basin. Today, the BRA's staff of 284 develop and distribute water supplies, provide water and wastewater treatment, monitor water quality, and pursue water conservation through public education programs. Although the Brazos River Authority is an agency of the State of Texas, it does not levy or collect taxes. Except for occasional governmental grants to help pay the costs of specific projects, the BRA is entirely self-supporting. The BRA maintains and operates its reservoirs and treatment systems using revenues from the customers it serves. 📍Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.📨Sign up for our quarterly newsletter.
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    23 分
  • From Stone Age trinkets to an invasive species solution: Copper’s comeback

    From Stone Age trinkets to an invasive species solution: Copper’s comeback
    2026/08/15

    They’re tiny, relentless, and threatening to cause chaos in Central Texas. But a surprising ally may be the key to keeping our drinking water safe – and your boating adventures drama free. Tune in to hear what’s happening beneath the surface of one of your favorite fishing lakes and how bath time is no joke.

    Unpacking the Brazos River is a podcast by the Brazos River Authority.

    If you prefer to read an article on the topic, click here. Share your thoughts, questions, and ideas for podcast episodes you’d like to hear about at information@brazos.org.

    Host: Charlie L. Shugart, BRA assistant public information officer.

    Guests: Tiffany Malzahn, BRA's chief environmental officer, and Brad Brunett, BRA's chief operations officer.

    Intro music: Clay Sellers, BRA lab analyst.

    About us:

    The Brazos River Authority was created by the Texas Legislature in 1929 and was the first state agency in the United States created specifically for the purpose of developing and managing the water resources of an entire river basin. Today, the BRA's staff of 284 develop and distribute water supplies, provide water and wastewater treatment, monitor water quality, and pursue water conservation through public education programs. Although the Brazos River Authority is an agency of the State of Texas, it does not levy or collect taxes. Except for occasional governmental grants to help pay the costs of specific projects, the BRA is entirely self-supporting. The BRA maintains and operates its reservoirs and treatment systems using revenues from the customers it serves.

    📍Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

    📨Sign up for our quarterly newsletter.
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    30 分
  • This is your chance to hunt waterfowl on the three BRA lakes

    This is your chance to hunt waterfowl on the three BRA lakes
    2026/08/01
    If you want to take your shot at securing one of the few waterfowl hunting sites at any of the three Brazos River Authority reservoirs, this is the episode for you. The annual drawings for the select locations to hunt on the lakes will be here before you know it. Tune in for everything you need to know for a chance to hunt on lakes Possum Kingdom, Granbury, or Limestone. If you’d prefer to read an article about the dates, you can do so by going here: https://brazos.org/newsletter/summer-2026/waterfowlUnpacking the Brazos River is a podcast by the Brazos River Authority. Share your thoughts, questions, and ideas for podcast episodes you’d like to hear about at information@brazos.org. Host: Charlie L. Shugart, BRA assistant public information officer.Guests: Diane Davis, Possum Kingdom Lake reservoir programs coordinator; Sharon Davenport, Lake Limestone administrative assistant; Wayne Goldwater, Lake Limestone lake ranger sergeant/chief administrator; Dylan Mayfield, Lake Granbury reservoir managerIntro music: Clay Sellers, BRA lab analyst. About us: The Brazos River Authority was created by the Texas Legislature in 1929 and was the first state agency in the United States created specifically for the purpose of developing and managing the water resources of an entire river basin. Today, the BRA's staff of 284 develop and distribute water supplies, provide water and wastewater treatment, monitor water quality, and pursue water conservation through public education programs. Although the Brazos River Authority is an agency of the State of Texas, it does not levy or collect taxes. Except for occasional governmental grants to help pay the costs of specific projects, the BRA is entirely self-supporting. The BRA maintains and operates its reservoirs and treatment systems using revenues from the customers it serves. 📍Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.📨Sign up for our quarterly newsletter.
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    22 分
  • The biggest water consumer in the Brazos River Basin might surprise you

    The biggest water consumer in the Brazos River Basin might surprise you
    2026/07/15
    Think you know who the biggest water guzzler is in your area? You might want to sit down for this one. Dive into the data on lakes Possum Kingdom, Granbury, Whitney, Georgetown, and the rest of the crew in the Brazos River Basin. We’ve also got a breakdown of how much water goes to everyday people just trying to hydrate, versus how much power plants use to keep your lights on, as well as what’s lost to evaporation. Mother Nature was no joke in 2025, so tune in to also hear the staggering amount of floodwater Lake Granbury was forced to unleash. We see you, rain 🌧️We’ve tracked the water in the BRA’s Water Supply System, and today we’re showing you what that looks like.Unpacking the Brazos River is a podcast by the Brazos River Authority. Share your thoughts, questions, and ideas for podcast episodes you’d like to hear about at information@brazos.org. To see the Customer Water Use and Reservoir Accounting Summary graphic mentioned in the episode, go here.If you’d like to learn more about how evaporation affects the water supply in the Brazos River Basin, check out this article on Brazos.org. Host: Charlie L. Shugart, BRA assistant public information officer.Guests: Chris Higgins, BRA lead hydrologist, and Don Hood, BRA hydrologistIntro music: Clay Sellers, BRA lab analyst. About us: The Brazos River Authority was created by the Texas Legislature in 1929 and was the first state agency in the United States created specifically for the purpose of developing and managing the water resources of an entire river basin. Today, the BRA's staff of 284 develop and distribute water supplies, provide water and wastewater treatment, monitor water quality, and pursue water conservation through public education programs. Although the Brazos River Authority is an agency of the State of Texas, it does not levy or collect taxes. Except for occasional governmental grants to help pay the costs of specific projects, the BRA is entirely self-supporting. The BRA maintains and operates its reservoirs and treatment systems using revenues from the customers it serves. 📍Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.📨Sign up for our quarterly newsletter.
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    46 分
  • Want to work for the BRA? Here’s what you need to know

    Want to work for the BRA? Here’s what you need to know
    2026/07/01
    Hydrologist, welder, engineer, plant operator, project manager – there’s a good chance there’s a wider range of positions than you might guess at the Brazos River Authority. And with offices as far North as Possum Kingdom Lake, and far south as Clute and Richwood, you might find something close to home, or better yet, some place you’d actually want to live. So, how do you come to work for the BRA? Tune in to find out. Some of these benefits might just be the exact sign you’ve been looking for to make your next move.Unpacking the Brazos River is a podcast by the Brazos River Authority. Share your thoughts, questions, and ideas for podcast episodes you’d like to hear about at information@brazos.org.→ Click here to sign up for job alerts.→ Click here to see all job openings.→ Click here if you’d like to read more about careers at the Brazos River Authority. Host: Charlie L. Shugart, BRA assistant public information officer.Guests: Crystal Wilde, BRA chief human resources officer, Jennifer Kidd, BRA human resources generalist, and Chantell George, BRA human resources benefits administrator.Intro music: Clay Sellers, BRA lab analyst. About us: The Brazos River Authority was created by the Texas Legislature in 1929 and was the first state agency in the United States created specifically for the purpose of developing and managing the water resources of an entire river basin. Today, the BRA's staff of 284 develop and distribute water supplies, provide water and wastewater treatment, monitor water quality, and pursue water conservation through public education programs. Although the Brazos River Authority is an agency of the State of Texas, it does not levy or collect taxes. Except for occasional governmental grants to help pay the costs of specific projects, the BRA is entirely self-supporting. The BRA maintains and operates its reservoirs and treatment systems using revenues from the customers it serves. 📍Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.📨Sign up for our quarterly newsletter.
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    35 分
  • The Water Permit Math Built

    The Water Permit Math Built
    2026/06/15

    After years of development and permitting, concepts and models transformed into a physical source of water supply. Tune in to hear how data, not dirt, created a new source of water in the Brazos River Basin.

    Unpacking the Brazos River is a podcast by the Brazos River Authority.

    Share your thoughts, questions, and ideas for podcast episodes you’d like to hear about at information@brazos.org.
    Learn more about the System Operation Permit and Water Management Plan here.

    Host: Charlie L. Shugart, BRA assistant public information officer.

    Guests: Aaron Abel, BRA water services manager, and Peyton Lisenby, BRA senior water resources planner.

    Intro music: Clay Sellers, BRA lab analyst.

    About us:

    The Brazos River Authority was created by the Texas Legislature in 1929 and was the first state agency in the United States created specifically for the purpose of developing and managing the water resources of an entire river basin. Today, the BRA's staff of 284 develop and distribute water supplies, provide water and wastewater treatment, monitor water quality, and pursue water conservation through public education programs. Although the Brazos River Authority is an agency of the State of Texas, it does not levy or collect taxes. Except for occasional governmental grants to help pay the costs of specific projects, the BRA is entirely self-supporting. The BRA maintains and operates its reservoirs and treatment systems using revenues from the customers it serves.

    📍Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.


    📨Sign up for our quarterly newsletter.
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    34 分
  • The Science, Surprises, and Saviors of Sewage

    The Science, Surprises, and Saviors of Sewage
    2026/06/01

    From missing wedding rings to citywide disasters, find out why what you flush (and what you don’t) matters more than you realize. Skip this, and you might just be left holding the plunger and your nose. This is about No. 2 and how wastewater treatment isn’t just a crappy topic — it’s flush with surprises.

    Unpacking the Brazos River is a podcast by the Brazos River Authority.

    Share your thoughts, questions, and ideas for podcast episodes you’d like to hear about at information@brazos.org.

    Host: Charlie L. Shugart, BRA assistant public information officer.

    Guests: Randy Lock, BRA Treatment and Conveyance Manager

    Intro music: Clay Sellers, BRA lab analyst.

    About us:

    The Brazos River Authority was created by the Texas Legislature in 1929 and was the first state agency in the United States created specifically for the purpose of developing and managing the water resources of an entire river basin. Today, the BRA's staff of 284 develop and distribute water supplies, provide water and wastewater treatment, monitor water quality, and pursue water conservation through public education programs. Although the Brazos River Authority is an agency of the State of Texas, it does not levy or collect taxes. Except for occasional governmental grants to help pay the costs of specific projects, the BRA is entirely self-supporting. The BRA maintains and operates its reservoirs and treatment systems using revenues from the customers it serves.

    📍Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.


    📨Sign up for our quarterly newsletter.
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    45 分
  • Where to launch, what to know, and how to have a blast

    Where to launch, what to know, and how to have a blast
    2026/05/15
    Plan on renting a jet ski this summer? Itching to take the boat out on the next pretty day?What if your next boat day was totally drama-free and actually pretty epic? Discover the best ramps, avoid rookie mistakes, and get the lowdown on making your next (or first!) visit to lakes Possum Kingdom, Granbury, or Limestone the ultimate boat day. A little planning means less stress and more Texas memories in the Brazos River Basin.Quick access to see:Lake Granbury boat ramps: Lake Granbury Public Use AreasLake Limestone boat ramps: Lake Limestone Public Use AreasPossum Kingdom Lake boat ramps: Possum Kingdom Public Use AreasWe mention a bunch of numbers on this episode, so here they are so you don’t miss them:Lake Granbury Office: 817-573-3212Lake Limestone Office: 903-529-2141Possum Kingdom Lake Office: 940-779-2321Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office: 940-659-2085Stephens County Sheriff’s Office: 254-559-2211 ▷ Check out BrazosBasinNOW.org to view lake level statuses. ▷ If you’d like more details on Possum Kingdom Lake’s Hike & Bike Trails listen to Episode 3.Unpacking the Brazos River is a podcast by the Brazos River Authority. Share your thoughts, questions, and ideas for podcast episodes you’d like to hear about at information@brazos.org. Host: Charlie L. Shugart, BRA assistant public information officer.Guests: Diane Davis, Possum Kingdom Lakes reservoir programs coordinator, Carlos Sanchez, Lake Granbury lake ranger, and Wayne Goldwater, Lake Limestone lake ranger sergeant.Intro music: Clay Sellers, BRA lab analyst. About us: The Brazos River Authority was created by the Texas Legislature in 1929 and was the first state agency in the United States created specifically for the purpose of developing and managing the water resources of an entire river basin. Today, the BRA's staff of 284 develop and distribute water supplies, provide water and wastewater treatment, monitor water quality, and pursue water conservation through public education programs. Although the Brazos River Authority is an agency of the State of Texas, it does not levy or collect taxes. Except for occasional governmental grants to help pay the costs of specific projects, the BRA is entirely self-supporting. The BRA maintains and operates its reservoirs and treatment systems using revenues from the customers it serves. 📍Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.📨Sign up for our quarterly newsletter.
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    43 分