MATHIS, TEXAS - MAY 07: In an aerial view, docks are seen on a dried up portion of Lake Corpus Christi on May 07, 2026 in Mathis, Texas. Lake Corpus Christi, a man-made reservoir and primary water source for Corpus Christi, has dropped to its lowest levels since 1958 according to city officials. The reservoir serves as a primary water source in sustaining the city's long-term water demands. Corpus Christi City Council has voted to begin preliminary discussions on building a desalination facility for the Coastal Bend region as the city faces a looming water crisis driven by rising temperatures, prolonged drought conditions and increasing demand from local oil refineries. If city leaders are unable to secure a workable long-term solution - such as drilling additional groundwater wells or moving forward with desalination projects - Corpus Christi could declare an unprecedented Level 1 water emergency by September 2026. Such a declaration would require a 25 percent reduction in water usage for both residents and industrial users, including refineries. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***