THREE RIVERS, TEXAS - MAY 07: In an aerial view, the Choke Canyon Reservoir is seen within the Choke Canyon State Park on May 07, 2026 in Three Rivers, Texas. Corpus Christi relies heavily on the Choke Canyon Reservoir for water supply. As the reservoir's water levels continue declining due to prolonged drought, the city of Corpus Christi loses a major portion of its water reserve. 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 of 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)