June storms brought floods — but little relief for Rio Grande Valley water supplies

Despite flooding in parts of the Rio Grande Valley this month, the region’s supply needs haven’t been much impacted.

Rains this month flooded parts of Progreso and Weslaco.

Local water expert Sonny Hinojosa described rain impact at Amistad Reservoir as minimal. He tracked water levels at Falcon Reservoir when rain was falling.

In an eight-day period, Falcon rose by more than 20 feet, which equates to about 52,000 acre-feet of rain. 

“Course that belongs to both countries after they accomplish the water accounting to see where the water originated. Then we’ll find out how much the U.S. got,” Hinojosa said.

Is that increase significant?

“Not much,” Hinojosa said. “If — and that’s a big if – we get half of it, you’re looking at 25,000, 26,000 acre-feet. And that’s not seven-tenths of a percent in change of ownership. So it’s insignificant, but it’s a move in the right direction.”

The increase amounts to about .78%.

Currently, the U.S. has about 26.51% of its capacity in storage.

June rainfall meant more for other places in the state, which might have faced imminent crisis without it.

Still, the rain was better for the Valley’s water situation than nothing at all.

Or — if you’re an optimist like Hinojosa — it was “better than going backwards.”