From the 28-mile Williamson County pipeline to the ambitious new drought project connecting Lakes Belton and Stillhouse Hollow, we’re talking to the experts about how pipelines aren’t just about digging trenches. With the Brazos River Basin population expected to double in the next 50 years, it's about balancing water quality, navigating thousands of property easements, and facing the hard truth that the era of cheap water is officially in the rearview mirror. Just how big a role will pipelines play in Texans’ future?

After you've listened to the episode, check out this awesome profile on BRA’s pipeline supervisor Colton Adkins.

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: Matt Phillips, BRA deputy general manager, 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.

From water snake wrestling matches to why a banana on a boat is a ticket to a bad day, tune in to hear why the number of bugs in a given spot affects the water in your favorite fishing location or kayaking trail. We’ve lured in some aquatic scientists who are sharing tales from across the Brazos River Basin and who will make you see your favorite waterway in a whole new light.

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: Jeremy Nickolai, BRA field operations manager, Cory Scanes, BRA aquatic sciences manager, and Ryan Byrge, BRA aquatic scientist.

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.

Lakes – you love them, but sometimes they don’t act the way you think they should. We’re swimming through it all to break down why some reservoirs are designed to flood their own parks on purpose, and how there’s a group patrolling the banks of rivers and tributaries to make sure nobody is sneaking an extra sip from the system. Plus, we’re talking about why you can't just flip a switch and change what a dam was built for. Stop ghosting your local hydrology. Whether you’re a lakeside local or just a fan of having enough water to shower, tune in to hear how the experts handle the flow.

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: Aaron Abel, BRA water services manager, and Chris Higgins, BRA lead hydrologist (capitalization on titles is different than above and below)

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.

A drop of rain in Lubbock might end up in a glass of water in Galveston three weeks later.

Your favorite weekend spot adjacent to a reservoir might be intentionally underwater.

There are a few different day jobs for Texas’ lakes, and they play an important role you might not see. From keeping the lights on to ensuring the kitchen faucet doesn’t run dry, we’re breaking down the roles they have and what part recreation plays in it all.

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: Aaron Abel, BRA water services manager, and Chris Higgins, BRA lead hydrologist.

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.

Water doesn't magically show up just because people move here. With the Brazos River Basin projected to double in population by 2080, business as usual won't cut it. Join the BRA’s Chief Strategic Officer, Jon King, along with Program Manager Rachel Lane, to answer the question on everyone’s mind: Can we just not build another lake? From 3,000 BC dam history to modern-day geotechnical drilling, we're taking a look at what it really takes to keep Texas from running dry.

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: Jon King, BRA Chief Strategic Officer, Rachel Lane, BRA program 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.

This week, we’re sitting down with the BRA’s GM/CEO as he discusses the “bad hobby habit” that launched his 30 years of living and breathing the Brazos River Basin. Learn about how he navigates the urban sprawl affecting our water supply and the $6 million inflationary headaches trolling the basin’s future. It’s a story about passion, a story about progress, and the phone call that started it all.

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

Guests: David Collinsworth, BRA’s General Manager and CEO

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.