Aaron Abel

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.

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 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.

Understanding why, when, and how the BRA moves water can help you manage your risks on the Brazos River Basin’s rivers, lakes, and tributaries. How long does it actually take for water to reach you? And which specific bookmarks do you need on your phone to protect your property? This is your practical guide to the Brazos to make smart decisions for your family and your gear. Learn about the science behind river releases, the danger of shifting buoys, and why the "flood that stole Christmas" reminds us storms don’t come when it’s convenient. If you live on the lake or recreate downstream, "wait and see" isn't a safety plan. Don't go out on the water until you hear this episode.Once you’ve finished, here are the links we said we’d share!Real-time data at BrazosBasinNOWDownstream notification signupRoad closures via DriveTexasUnpacking 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, Peyton Lisenby, BRA senior water resources planner, and Judi Pierce, BRA public information 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.

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.