texas water safari winners

Sat, Jun 10

Meadows Center

2023 Texas Water Safari

World's Toughest Canoe Race

Time & Location

Jun 10, 2023, 9:00 AM – Jun 14, 2023, 2:00 PM

Meadows Center, 201 San Marcos Springs Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA

About the event

TWS 2023, June 10-14

From the TWS website: “Legend has it that in 1962, Frank Brown and Bill “Big Willie” George decided to take their V-bottom boat, without a motor, from San Marcos to Corpus Christi. They accomplished their mission in about thirty days and decided that other people should have the opportunity to experience the same journey. So, in 1963 they set up the first Texas Water Safari.

Today the Safari is a long, tough, non-stop marathon canoe-racing adventure, traversing 260 miles of challenging rivers and bay. Many participants enter the race with no intention of winning, but with the goal of joining the elite group of finishers and earning the coveted Texas Water Safari finisher’s patch.” http://www.texaswatersafari.org/

Larry Rice, in July 2009 Canoe & Kayak Magazine: “They don’t call the Texas Water Safari The World’s Toughest Canoe Race’ for nothing. In addition to the length, the challenges include whitewater rapids, multiple portages, and the relentless, soul-sapping Texas heat. Competitors have four days and four hours to paddle from San Marcos, in the center of the state, to the shy little town of Seadrift on the Gulf Coast. There is no prize money for the winners; just Texas-size bragging rights for the finishers.”

Entry Fee $175 (through March 31), $200 (through May 5), $250 (through May 19) per paddler. No entry fee for team captains. Must be registered by May 7 to hold prelim finish for starting position in TWS.

In the event of a postponement, the race will be held on June 24th Check in will be Friday, June 23th.  Should a 2nd postponement be needed the race will be held on July 8th Check in will be Friday, July 7th

Share this event

• Texas Hill Country News
• Spirits & Libations
• Places to Eat
• Hill Country Happenings
• Places to Stay
• Things To Do
• Online Magazine
• Caussey’s Corner
• Our Writers
• Real Estate

World’s Toughest Canoe Race: Texas Water Safari Well Into Its 5th Decade

On the second Saturday in June, “The World’s Toughest Canoe Race” has been held here in Texas since 1963. It takes place on the San Marcos and the Guadalupe Rivers, between San Marcos in the Texas Hill Country and a small Texas coastal town called Seadrift. It’s a canoe route equalling 260 miles in length , and the manpower required to complete the race, also known as the Texas Water Safari, is amazing!

To the winners of “The World’s Toughest Canoe Race,” bragging rights are the prize. There’s no money involved, but does that stop those eager to take on the challenge? Absolutely not! Having the right to say you took on a Texas-sized competition such as this and won has been enough to draw participants from near and far. Making it through rapids, some intense heat, and enduring the need to carry all of your supplies while you try to maintain the proper mental space required to compete is something only sheer willpower can accomplish. Participants of the Texas Water Safari are happy to show up and say they’ve done so!

Video: YouTube/KUT Austin

Shared on the KUT Austin YouTube Channel , the video above features a brief documentary from 2019 on the Texas Water Safari. With more than 140 teams, each of which has a captain allowed to help them along the way by supplying water, food, and ice, this race is epic ! The team captain can follow the canoe along the race path on land, doing so either by car or even by bike . It’s arduous, to say the least, for both the team and the captain. The Texas Water Safari has stated that to take part in “The World’s Toughest Canoe Race,” the teams have to be prepared to reach mandatory checkpoints, including set cut-off times. Many do so by canoeing 24-hours nonstop , however, teams have occasionally been known to stop for rest and still been successful in doing so, crossing the finish line within the 100-hour deadline. The journey is long and hard, but to the victor go the rights to say they did it better than anyone else! Regardless of its 57-year history, that means only a very few have been able to say that’s the case.

We are your resource for Hill Country travel, things to do, places to eat, places to stay, tourism, events, lodging, and we feature Texas Hill Country info of all manners. Our Texas Hill Country Facebook page is growing by over 1,000 fans per day! We also run the premiere real-estate site in the hill country at HillCountryRealestate.com . We are born and bred in The Hill Country, and we welcome you to our family. Join the discussion on our new social platform Texjas.com !

Latest News

Do you know the meaning of gtt left on abandoned homes, ride the fastest ziplines in all of texas, from texas to the tetons: tony maples, dr pepper jalapeno beef jerky is the most texan recipe there is, do you know what was named the official dog breed of texas, lubbock book festival: free, two-day event on the south plains.

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

How to Witness the World’s Toughest Canoe Race in San Marcos, Texas

The Texas Water Safari, which starts in San Marcos, offers the challenge of padding 260 miles in under four days and four hours. San Marcos Convention and Visitor Bureau

In a state that brags about everything "bigger and better," it is only fitting that Texas hosts the self-proclaimed World’s Toughest Canoe Race. Officially called the Texas Water Safari, the annual 260-mile canoe race begins in Central Texas in the town of San Marcos. Each second Saturday of June participants launch their canoes into the headwaters of the San Marcos River in Spring Lake and travel down the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers hoping to finish in the Gulf Coast shrimping village of Seadrift a few days later.

Paddlers have 100 hours to navigate whitewater rapids, dams, varying water levels and multiple crossings. Racers must be physically and mentally strong to withstand the days of nonstop motion, physical fatigue, pitch-black nights and scorching hot days. Boats are only powered by human muscle. Riders must carry all food and equipment with them, receiving only water and ice along the way. Team size ranges from solo paddlers to a maximum of six. With team names like Blonde Chicks with Paddle Sticks, Saddle Up and Paddle *and* Whiskey Trip, teams must paddle nonstop both day and night to stay competitive. Winners do not win prize money, merely bragging rights to the world’s toughest canoe race. Simply finishing the race itself is considered a huge accomplishment, as nearly 40 percent of entrants drop out along the way.

Rio Vista Park is a popular spot for spectators, who can see the paddlers navigate whitewater and portage around the dam. San Marcos Convention and Visitor Bureau

This year the regatta of 150 boats will take off on Saturday, June 10, at 9 a.m. The Texas Water Safari kicks off at The Meadows Center , which can be a very exciting place to watch the start of the race. As the race snakes through San Marcos, several public access points, such as Veramendi Plaza , City Park and Rio Vista Park are full of spectators watching the canoes as they race by. The 14-acre Rio Vista Park with its overhanging trees, aquamarine water and bleached shoreline rocks is a picturesque place to watch the race. With the 10-foot drop at the Rio Vista Dam that shoots canoes through rough rapids, it is also the most exciting location in town to watch the race. Bring your swimsuit and cool off from the summer sun by sunbathing along the riverbanks or swimming in the water holes around the park once the boats have paddled through. Each access point is within walking distance of downtown, so once the racers leave town you have the rest of the afternoon to explore the vibrant downtown .

The historic downtown square is at the heart of the 62,000-person town. Locally owned shops, restaurants and bars line the square, giving visitors more than enough shopping, drinking and eating opportunities to fill the day.

Stop by one of San Marcos' Downtown eateries and watering holes for good food and cold beverages.

If you're looking for a local watering hole, you won't have to go far! Zelicks in Downtown San Marcos is great for hanging out with friends and soaking up the San Marcos vibe. For the best burger in town, stop by the Taproom Pub . This American-style pub has more than 100 beers, 42 of them on tap, and burgers that every Texas State college student swears by. Industry is another staple with classic comfort meals and fresh offerings. Sit back, relax, and raise a glass to those paddling their way to the coast.

If you are thinking less beer and burger and more quaint and cozy, the European-inspired Blue Dahlia Cafe a few doors down is your best bet. The bistro serves healthy meals with an emphasis on bread, sandwiches, soups and cheese.

Feeling inspired for a little outdoor adventure after watching the start of the big race? If so, load up with the season’s latest outdoor apparel and gear at Hays County Outfitters . To add a few vintage clothing pieces to your wardrobe, make sure you stop by Vagabond Vintage or Monkies Vintage. If you’re looking for a bit of local history while you’re in town, learn about our 36th president at the LBJ Museum of San Marcos . The museum focuses on the years President Johnson spent as a student at the local university and his role in the development of landmark education and civil rights legislation.

Stick around into the night and hit up almost any bar in town for live music. Cheatham Street Warehouse is a honky tonk featuring live country, blues, folk and soul bands. Other options include T he Porch or Jack’s Road House . As the music plays, think about the racers navigating their boats through the night, and you can raise a glass to them in comfort.

Written by Jennifer Simonson for RootsRated Media in partnership with San Marcos CVB.

Texas Water Safari

From the TWS website: "Legend has it that in 1962, Frank Brown and Bill "Big Willie" George decided to take their V-bottom boat, without a motor, from San Marcos to Corpus Christi. They accomplished their mission in…

Download or Request Free

Visitors guide, sign up for our, e-newsletter.

Texas Water Safari returns to Gonzales to celebrate 60 years

For 60 years, organizers have called it the “world’s toughest canoe race.” And this weekend, Texas Water Safari again will have one of its checkpoints in Gonzales.

The 60th Texas Water Safari shoves off from the Texas State University Meadows Center for Water and the Environment in San Marcos (the former Aquarena Springs) on Spring Lake this Saturday, June 10 at 9 a.m.

Some 161 teams from all over the globe have signed up for this year’s race, which traverses the San Marcos River to the Guadalupe River (the confluence of the two is in Gonzales) to Guadalupe Bay and then San Antonio Bay with a finish line some 260 miles away in Seadrift. The teams have until 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, to cross the finish line at Bill Sanders Memorial Park — just 100 hours total.

The primary requirement is a boat powered only by human muscle. Racers must take all equipment needed with them, receiving only water, ice and food along the way.

“Its reputation has grown worldwide. It's kind of on the bucket list for people to do, and so it's a very unique race,” said TWS President Allen Spelce.

And because this is the 60th Texas Water Safari, the TWS board will be giving out one-time awards during the banquet to the 60th boat to finish, the 60th person to finish, the boat that finishes closest to 60 hours, the 1st 60-year–old man and woman to finish the race and possible others. Because, why not?

The Texas Water Safari is not just the race that takes place every year on the second weekend in June, but also includes a seminar in February, the Texas Water Marathon race in May and the Texas Jr. Water Safari in September.

Once again, heat and low waters will propose a challenge for paddlers this year, according to Spelce.

“If you haven't maintained your body that day, Saturday and Saturday night by getting proper, you know, hydration, electrolytes, food calories. Teams will typically start to crater or drop out Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon,” Spelce said.

Checkpoint 4, which for a long time was the Gonzales gravel bar (mile 85.79) to the Gonzales dam (mile 84.46). Paddlers have until 4 p.m. Sunday, June 11 to make this checkpoint. They will have a mandatory left portage at the dam to the checkpoint to be signed through by their crews. Boats will exit the river above the dam, take the portage and head down the path to put in below the dam.

“There is a cable strung 15-20 feet above the water 500 yards above the dam with a warning sign on it. Generating building on left side of the dam is usually well lit at night,” course notes state. “Must portage on Left hand side. Take out at ramp. Carry up to access road. Turn in to gate on right. Follow trail to the river. There is quite a bit of rip rap, so exercise caution.

“The next road crossing is 39 miles and this is the longest section on the race course. Make sure to have plenty of water. The dam is not conducive to team pulling over to sleep. Suggest going to Gravel Bar if planning to sleep.”

How TWS started

The following information comes from the Texas Water Safari website:

Legend has it that in 1962, Frank Brown and Bill "Big Willie" George decided to take their V-bottom boat, without a motor, from San Marcos to Corpus Christi. They accomplished their mission in about thirty days and decided that other people should have the opportunity to experience the same journey. So, in 1963 they set up the first Texas Water Safari.

Today the Safari is a long, tough, non-stop marathon canoe-racing adventure, traversing 260 miles of challenging rivers and bay. Many participants enter the race with no intention of winning, but with the goal of joining the elite group of finishers and earning the coveted Texas Water Safari finisher's patch.

Entrants must have all provisions, equipment, and items of repair in their possession at the start of the race.

Nothing may be purchased by, or delivered to, a team during the race except water and/or ice. Each team must have a team captain (18 years old, or older) whose responsibility it is to follow the team by vehicle (car, truck, or bicycle) to keep track of their location and condition and to give them water and/or ice.

During the Safari, teams may not receive any assistance of any kind, except verbal. Teams must be prepared to travel day and night, nonstop, to be competitive but teams who occasionally stop for sleep have been able to reach mandatory checkpoint cutoff times and cross the finish line by the 100-hour deadline.

For more information about the Texas Water Safari, check out texaswatersafari.org.

Other items that may interest you

Take a hike — in Gonzales and other Texas locales

Tovar, diaz qualify for uil state theatrical design competition, ghs earns top 100 rural & community hospital award, county payroll will stay under auditor’s office.

• Distributors

Conquering the Texas Water Safari: The Ultimate Kayak Race of Endurance and Adventure

Every year, adventure seekers and paddling enthusiasts from around the world gather in Texas for one of the most exhilarating kayak races on the planet: the Texas Water Safari. Spanning a grueling 260 miles, this legendary race pushes participants to their limits as they navigate treacherous rivers, relentless currents, and unpredictable weather. Join us as we dive into the thrilling world of the Texas Water Safari and uncover the challenges, triumphs, and unwavering spirit of its competitors.

The Ultimate Test of Endurance:

The Texas Water Safari, often referred to as the "World's Toughest Canoe Race," is an extraordinary feat of physical and mental endurance. Beginning in the bustling city of San Marcos, participants embark on an arduous journey down the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers, culminating in the coastal town of Seadrift. The race must be completed within a strict 100-hour time limit, leaving little room for rest or recovery.

Navigating Nature's Obstacles:

As participants paddle through remote and picturesque landscapes, they face a multitude of challenges. From navigating rapids and logjams to battling strong currents and shallow waters, the Texas Water Safari demands unwavering determination and skill. Competitors must be prepared for encounters with wildlife, including alligators and snakes, as they maneuver through the untamed Texas wilderness.

A Test of Strategy and Stamina:

Success in the Texas Water Safari requires more than physical prowess. Competitors must carefully strategize their race plan, considering optimal rest breaks, nutrition, and navigation tactics. Sleep-deprived and physically exhausted, they rely on their mental fortitude to push through the darkest moments and find renewed strength when the finish line seems beyond reach.

The Camaraderie of the River:

While the Texas Water Safari is a fiercely competitive race, it also fosters a unique sense of camaraderie among participants. Strangers become friends, offering support, encouragement, and shared stories of triumph and perseverance. The shared experience of battling the elements and conquering the race forges lifelong bonds, creating a tight-knit community of adventurers with a deep appreciation for the sport of kayaking.

A Celebration of Human Spirit:

The Texas Water Safari is not solely about winning; it is a celebration of the indomitable human spirit. Every participant, regardless of their finishing position, embodies the essence of determination, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of personal achievement. It is a testament to the unwavering human spirit and the pursuit of extraordinary challenges.

Inspiring Future Generations:

The Texas Water Safari serves as a source of inspiration for both seasoned paddlers and aspiring adventurers. It demonstrates the incredible feats that can be accomplished with dedication, preparation, and a burning passion for exploration. The race fuels a spirit of adventure, encouraging individuals to push beyond their limits and embrace the unknown.

The Texas Water Safari stands as an epic testament to human endurance and the beauty of the natural world. It embodies the spirit of adventure, camaraderie, and the pursuit of personal triumph. Whether you're a competitor or a spectator, witnessing the Texas Water Safari is an awe-inspiring experience that ignites a deep appreciation for the power of the human spirit and the boundless wonders of our planet's rivers.

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

What Is ‘The World’s Toughest Canoe Race’ Like? Find Out at the Texas Water Safari

Gators, sunburn, and sleep deprivation, oh my! If you like canoeing and type II fun, the Texas Water Safari may be the right race for you.

Share this:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Every June, a few hundred slightly warped paddlers spread anti-chafing cream on their skin and tape tubes of ibuprofen to the inside walls of their canoes. They top off water bottles, slather on sunscreen, and shove down one last energy bar.

Then, just before 9 a.m., they slide their boats into a spring-fed lake in San Marcos, south of Austin, Texas, and prepare for the start of “ The World’s Toughest Canoe Race .”

Colloquially known as the “Safari,” the race started back in 1962, when Texans Frank Brown and Bill “Big Willie” George, paddled their 14-foot fishing boat from San Marcos to Corpus Christi. It took them 20 days and 8 hours, and as the legend goes, they hunted and fished (eating squirrels and bass) along the way.

The next year, the two men invited the public to join them in their misery. Anyone who took them up on the offer would have to bring whatever they needed for the entire trip; no one could hand them supplies along the way. 

Things have changed since then.

Running the Modern Day ‘Texas Water Safari’

The race still follows the cool, clear San Marcos River as it flows into the Guadalupe River and heads toward the Gulf of Mexico, getting muddier as it goes. The race today ends shy of Corpus Christi, Texas, in the town of Seadrift. Though, paddlers still have to slog across the bay to reach the finish line. And depending on how Mother Nature is feeling, those last 10 miles can take a few hours — or an entire day.

Teams get handoffs from support crews at checkpoints along the way. Those support teams can hand the athletes water and ice as well as food (since 2012, when a racer died of hyponatremia, a low concentration of sodium in the blood).

Racers wear GPS trackers so race organizers and fans can track their progress, and they can carry cellphones for emergencies. They also bring flares, snake bite kits, water pumps, headlamps, and other necessities.

But it’s no leisurely paddle.

The race bakes participants in the hot sun, fries their brains with sleep deprivation, and spits them into rapids and saltwater chop. Paddlers haul their boats around dams and over floating mats of logs and brush (and the occasional dead farm animal). They slog through mud, encounter swarms of mosquitos, and pass the occasional alligator. The top finishers don’t stop — not to sleep, not to eat, not even to pee. At a certain point, hallucinations kick in.

In 2022, the race attracted 149 teams of between one and six paddlers each. Some paddled sleek, bullet-shaped racing craft; others used traditional aluminum canoes. Racers range from elite athletes to recreational paddlers out to test their mettle, and they come in all ages and skill levels.

One long-time competitor in his 80s always packs a bag of Swisher Sweets cigars to puff along the way. The six-man “Cowboys” team races every year with a rotating cast of paddlers. In 2019, an all-women’s team dubbed “the Night Witches” became the first all-female squad to finish in under 40 hours. They placed fourth overall.

I myself have started the race twice and finished once. In 2019, I teamed with two veteran female paddlers and finished in about 53 hours. The first 20 hours went well. Then things went south.

My appetite waned; my stomach churned. About 40 hours in, I began to hallucinate. In the dark, trees morphed into leering clowns and bushes became grinning cartoon characters. My butt hurt, my back hurt, and my mind hurt.

When we finished, I staggered out of the water, swore I’d never do the race again, crawled onto a cot, and passed out. I didn’t feel normal for an entire month. (Sleep deprivation will do that to you.) But despite the unpleasantries, the sense of accomplishment was priceless, even if the rash on my rear end stuck around for two more weeks.

Last year, with some of the hottest and driest conditions on race day, I went back for more. It didn’t go well. I got sick (and mentally weak) and dropped out at a place appropriately called Cheapside, after 36 horrendous hours. That year, half the field did not finish.

The rest of my team went on without me and finished in a long and brutal 77 hours.

All you get for surviving what’s billed as “the World’s Toughest Canoe Race” is a 5-inch patch decorated with what looks like an alligator and a devil. You also walk away with a fierce sunburn, cracked lips, blisters as big as pecans, and rashes in places humans should never get rashes.

But trust me when I tell you nothing feels as good as making it to the final buoy in Seadrift and slapping your hands on the wooden marker that signifies the Texas Water Safari finish.

Race Day: How to Register

This year, the Texas Water Safari is celebrating its 60th year. The race starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2023. Paddlers must finish the 260 miles within 100 hours for their finish to officially count. Other basic rules include you must register for one category — novice, standard, unlimited men/women (up to six paddlers), tandem, solo, masters, and more — and your team must have a captain (18 years or older) to follow along with support, and to track location. 

The deadline to register for the race is May 19. The entry fee is $200 per paddler through May 4, or $250 through May 19. If canoeing in hot weather and grueling conditions sounds like your jam, consider joining the Safari!

The Gear That Won the 400-Mile 'Expedition Ozark' Adventure Race

Adventure racing is about a lot of things. But one of the least understood is the role that efficiency and effective gear plays into a team’s success. Read more…

Meet the Mountain Biker Who Single-Handedly Cleared 950 Trees to Ride His Favorite Trail

After a windstorm obliterated his favorite trail, one mountain biker took a chainsaw to the problem, clearing 950 trees just so he could ride. Read more…

Pam Le Blanc is a freelance writer based in Austin, Texas. After working as a staff writer at the Austin American-Statesman for 21 years, she went freelance in 2018. Today, Le Blanc writes about outdoor travel and adventure for an array of publications including Texas Monthly, Condé Nast Traveler, Texas Highways, the Nature Conservancy Magazine, and more. She’s an avid backpacker, scuba diver, camper, snow skier, water skier, swimmer, cyclist, and outdoor junkie. Le Blanc also travels with her campervan, Vincent VanGo. Follow along with her at www.pamleblancadventures.com.

Follow Us On

Subscribe Now

Get adventure news and gear reviews in your inbox!

Join Our GearJunkie Newsletter

Gear Top Stories Deals

• Entertainment
• KSAT Insider
• Newsletters

WEATHER ALERT

A red flag warning in effect for 8 regions in the area

Water scarcity and clean energy collide in south texas.

Texas Tribune

Dylan Baddour, Inside Climate News

Sign up for The Brief , The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.

Recommended Videos

This story is published in partnership with Inside Climate News , a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for the ICN newsletter here.

Chemical company Avina Clean Hydrogen Inc. has purchased the last available water supply from the Nueces River of South Texas, raising concerns of regional scarcity as reservoirs dwindle and drought persists.

Avina’s Nueces Green Ammonia plant plans to separate the hydrogen from water, convert it to ammonia and export it as a high-tech fuel alternative to oil and gas. It’s one of several such projects currently proposed in Texas, driven by federal subsidies . Governments and scientists say this technology plays an important role in the transition away from fossil fuels.

But officials in the nearby city of Corpus Christi have warned that the project could threaten water supply for more than 600,000 regional customers.

“Increased water drawn solely from the Nueces River system could dramatically increase the potential for scarcity,” wrote Corpus Christi’s director of intergovernmental relations, Ryan Skrobarczyk, in a March 1 memo to state lawmakers, first reported by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times . “A new large-volume user of the Nueces River will require extensive and exact monitoring to avoid increased drought restrictions.”

Over the last decade, Corpus Christi stretched its water supply to its limits, selling vast volumes of Nueces River water to a string of major industrial users, hoping to meet the new demand with several large desalination plants.

But those plants still haven’t materialized. Meanwhile, the new industrial customers have ramped up operations while a multi-year drought bore down. Local residents have been under water-use restrictions for more than 600 days as reservoirs have fallen below one-third full.

Although Corpus Christi holds rights to the vast majority of Nueces River water, it doesn’t hold them all, as it was recently reminded. The only other significant right belongs to the Nueces County Water Improvement and Control District #3, which serves the towns of Calallen and Robstown. It has rights from 1909 that were originally intended to flood crop fields and haven’t been used in decades.

That’s where Avina found the means to purchase 5.5 million gallons of treated Nueces River water per day—enough for all 38,000 residents of Calallen and Robstown to each flush their toilets 90 times daily—for the next 25 years.

“Do I want them there? No. But I can’t be biased,” said Marcos Alaniz, general manager of the Nueces County Water Control and Improvement District #3 outside of Corpus Christi. “I don’t have a right to tell somebody that I cannot feed them water.”

He cited rules from the Texas Public Utility Commission that listed five reasons why water providers may refuse service. Compromising the regional supply wasn’t among them.

“It’s just the fact that we’re pulling more out of the reservoirs than we’re putting in. But that’s not for me to say,” Alaniz said.

A spokesperson for Avina in New Jersey, Karen White, said the company “takes seriously the water/energy nexus and is engineering the most water conscious plant design, opting for dry cooling, reuse and reduction wherever possible.”

In a March 6 email to Corpus Christi City Council, City Manager Peter Zanoni warned the Avina project could increase water prices to all city water users.

“The loss of millions of gallons of water a day will have an impact on our water supplies. To backfill that loss will potentially result in rate impacts to all [Corpus Christi Water] customers,” Zanoni wrote.

The city of Corpus Christi and its water department declined to answer questions.

The hydrogen boom 

Avina is one of at least 30 hydrogen and ammonia projects currently proposed in Texas, according to data from the Environmental Integrity Project , following federal legislation that laid out financial incentives for fossil fuel alternatives, aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gasses.

“In the future, hydrogen will be used to replace diesel,” said Joe Powell, director of the Energy Transition Institute at the University of Houston and a former chief scientist at Shell. “I see it as a good jobs transition opportunity for this [Houston] region to be securing its place in the future.”

Most of those projects produce hydrogen the old-fashioned way , from natural gas, but incorporate new measures to capture the high volume of carbon emissions and inject them underground for disposal instead of releasing them into the air.

Ten of the projects use a method called electrolysis that doesn’t directly involve oil or gas. Instead, it uses a large volume of water and a tremendous amount of electricity to separate the hydrogen from water molecules. When powered by clean energy, the process releases no carbon emissions.

The technology isn’t new, but it wasn’t considered economically feasible until the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 laid out steep federal subsidies for hydrogen projects.

One such project in North Texas plans to build 1.4 gigawatts of wind and solar power generation and pump 500,000 gallons of groundwater per day to produce 200,000 kilograms of hydrogen for fuel. Another project on Matagorda Bay will use water to produce hydrogen for so-called “eFuels.” Avina also plans a second electrolysis plant in South Texas to fuel furnaces for steel production.

But there’s a hangup. Hydrogen gas is nearly impossible to transport. It needs to be liquified at about -500 Fahrenheit then held at that temperature.

So instead, scientists devised an alternative: convert the hydrogen to ammonia (a stable liquid made of hydrogen and nitrogen), ship it overseas then re-convert to hydrogen. It’s an inefficient process. Up to 40% of the original energy input is lost in the production, conversion and re-conversion of the hydrogen, said Hugh Daigle, an associate professor of petroleum engineering at the University of Texas who has studied the hydrogen economy. But, it produces a carbonless fuel that can power heavy vehicles without harmful emissions.

“To make one molecule of H2 it takes 1 molecule of water,” Daigle said.

If developed at scale, he said, “that is going to take a lot of water.”

Nueces County ammonia plant 

The Avina spokesperson, White, said the company selected its Nueces County location based on its proximity to renewable energy resources (wind farms cover millions of acres in South Texas) and its relay access to the Port of Corpus Christi.

Federal tax incentives require electrolysis projects to run on renewable energy, with extra benefits if the energy projects are new. White said Avina’s Nueces ammonia plant will be powered by 3.5 gigawatts of new renewable power projects, but those contracts haven’t been finalized yet.

The news of another water-intensive industrial project in the region surprised Encarnacion Serna, a retired chemical engineer who spent his career in local refineries.

“They keep bringing in more and more industry and there is no water,” he said. “It's a horrible disaster just waiting to happen.”

Serna, 72, has nothing against the industrial sector. He raised his family while working in these plants, including five years at ExxonMobil, 15 years at Occidental Chemical and three years at Air Liquide.

But, he said, it’s gone too far. He listed the recent, major additions to the region’s waterside industrial sector: Cheniere LNG, Voestalpine steel, Chemours chemicals and a trio of massive new oil export terminals, among others. One new plastics plant by ExxonMobil and the Saudi Basic Industries Corp. has contracts to use up to 25 million gallons of treated water per day.

All this growth was supposed to be supported by the development of several new seawater desalination plants. But while the industrial customers are now operating, plans for the desalination plants have floundered, mired in years of delays.

“They spent millions of dollars pushing desalination and all the money went to lawyers, permitting and public relations,” Serna said. “The idiots sold water they didn’t have.”

Avina plans to produce 3.2 billion gallons of ammonia per year at the Nueces County plant, according to its application. Serna calculated how much hydrogen that would require, and how much water in turn, coming up with 9.5 million gallons per day—almost twice Avina’s contracted water supply.

Alaniz, manager of WCID #3, said Avina will put in groundwater wells to make up the difference. (The company did not respond to questions about its total planned water use.)

WCID #3’s 1909 water rights from the Nueces River allow for 10.5 million gallons per day. Originally, that water was meant for crop irrigation, but over time the farm fields turned into neighborhoods, which use much less water. Still, WCID #3 held onto its rights.

“This will be our first industrial customer,” Alaniz said. “Until you can figure out how we can get more water, it’s probably my last.”

Disclosure: Exxon Mobil Corporation and the University of Houston have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here .

Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival , happening in downtown Austin Sept. 5-7. Get your TribFest tickets before May 1 and save big!

2024 Texas Tribune

The 5 stages of the 2024 total solar eclipse explained for April 8

On Monday (April 8), a total solar eclipse will sweep across the Americas. Here's how it will play out.

Stage 1: First contact

Stage 2: second contact, stage 3: totality, stage 4: third contact, stage 5: fourth contact.

On Monday, April 8, the 2024 total solar eclipse will sweep through the sky over North America. 

While all of North America and Central America will experience at least a partial  solar eclipse , those within a path with a width of approximately 115 miles (185 kilometers) passing over 15 U.S. States. Mexico, and Canada will also witness a totality as the moon entirely covers the disk of the sun.

You can  watch the total solar eclipse live on Space.com . You can also keep up with all the eclipse-related action with our   total solar eclipse 2024 live updates   blog.

Don't be in the dark about the 2024 total eclipse

There are three major types of solar eclipse. A total solar eclipse like that on April 8 occurs when the moon is relatively close to Earth and blocks the entire disk of the sun. 

Because the moon's orbit around our planet is an ellipse, sometimes it is further away and thus appears smaller. An eclipse at these times sees the moon only an obscure part of the solar disk, with the sun appearing as a glowing ring of fire. These events are called annular solar eclipses , and the last one seen over the U.S. occurred on Oct. 14, 2023.

Finally, a partial solar eclipse is an event that happens when the Earth, moon, and sun are not perfectly aligned, resulting in the lunar disk only covering part of our star, making the sun appear as if a bite has been taken out of it. Partial eclipses also happen at the beginning and ending stages of total and annular eclipses.

On April 8, 2024, the moon will be in its new moon phase , and it will look relatively large, meaning it is capable of covering 100% of the sun's disk as viewed from the narrow path of totality. The fraction of the diameter of the sun covered by the moon is known as the magnitude of a solar eclipse . On April 8, 2024, this value will be 1.0566,  according to EclipseWise.com , slightly more than total coverage. 

Get the Space.com Newsletter

Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!

NASA has released an interactive map of the total eclipse, which space enthusiasts can use to track the totality as it drifts across the globe. However, location won't be the only factor affecting the appearance of the total solar eclipse on Monday. The eclipse will pass through 5 distinct stages, with each of these phases occurring at different times across different locations.

What are the stages of the annular solar eclipse? 

In the initial stage of the eclipse, the moon will begin to pass in front of the sun, kick-starting a partial solar eclipse. During this phase, the darkened lunar disk of the moon will make the sun appear as if a bite has been taken out of its illuminated face. This "bite" will get bigger and bigger as the totality approaches.

During the first stage of the total solar eclipse, some onlookers will be able to see rapidly moving, long, dark bands called " shadow bands " on the sides of buildings or the ground. Bailey's beads , caused by light streaming through the valleys on the horizon of the moon, may also be visible at the moon's edges during this initial stage. These phenomena repeat during the second partial eclipse that occurs after totality.

On April 8, this stage of the partial eclipse will first be seen near Pu‘uali‘i, Hawaii, at  6:27 a.m. local time (12:27 p.m. EDT, 1627 GMT).

First contact will last for between 70 and 80 minutes, and its conclusion will be marked by a single bright spot, or " diamond ring ," appearing at the edge of the moon. This marks the second contact stage and heralds the oncoming totality. 

On April 8, the total solar eclipse will make landfall at Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, at 9:51 a.m. local time (12:51 p.m. EDT, 16:51 GMT).

Stage 3 and the mid-point of the total solar eclipse is the totality.  At this point, the moon completely covers the solar disk. During the totality of the outer atmosphere of the sun, the corona may become visible as white streamers at the edge of the moon. This region is usually washed out by bright light from the solar surface, the photosphere. The inner atmosphere of the sun, the chromosphere , may be visible as a wispy aura around the edge of the moon.

The totality may also make stars and planets visible in the darkened sky that are usually not visible from America during daylight hours. 

On April 8, the first location to experience totality will be Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico at  11:07 a.m. local time  (2:07 p.m. EDT, 1807 GMT). The first location to experience totality in the U.S. will be Near Florentino Ramos Colonia, Texas, at 1:27 p.m. local time (2:27 p.m. EDT, 1827 GMT).

The duration of the totality depends on the path from which the eclipse is viewed. In Mexico, totality will last for 40 minutes and 43 seconds. Skywatchers in the U.S. will collectively experience totality for 67 minutes and 58 seconds. Onlookers in Canada will experience the totality of the solar eclipse for 34 minutes and 4 seconds.

The fourth stage of the total solar eclipse, third contact, will see the moon start to move away from the disk of the sun, thus ending the totality and starting the second partial eclipse period. Brightening appears on the opposite side of the moon as it did during the second contact period. At this time, skywatchers will get another chance to spot Baily's Beads along the edge of the moon and shadow bands on the buildings and ground around them, with this stage mirroring the second contact stage. 

The total solar eclipse ends on the Atlantic coast at 5:16 p.m. local time (3:46 p.m. EDT, 1946 GMT). 

The fifth and final stage of the total solar eclipse. The moon moves away from the disk of the sun, meaning that at fourth contact, the moon is no longer even partially eclipsing the sun. At this point, 2024's total solar eclipse will be over.

On April 8, on the Atlantic coast of  Newfoundland and Labrador, the partial eclipse phase ends at 6:18 p.m. local time (4:48 p.m. EDT, 2048 GMT).

— A 'horned' comet may be visible during the 2024 total solar eclipse

— How photos of the April 8 solar eclipse will help us understand of the sun's atmosphere

— How fast will April's total solar eclipse travel?

If you intend to view any of these stages, the most important thing to consider is how to safely view it. Looking at the sun without adequate protection at any time is harmful to the eyes, so eclipse watchers should take precautions on Monday. 

Sunglasses, regardless of how dark they are, can't protect the eyes from the effect of the sun, so specialized eclipse glasses made from safe solar filter materials will be needed. If skywatchers intend to watch the event with a telescope, special filters will be needed to make this a safe viewing experience.

Our how to observe the sun safely guide tells you everything you need to know about safe solar observations.

Following the 2024 total solar eclipse, skywatchers in the U.S. will next get the opportunity to see a total solar eclipse on March 30, 2033 . The totality of this eclipse, which will last 2 minutes 37 seconds, will be visible in Alaska. Following this, on Aug. 23, 2044 , a total solar eclipse will be visible from the U.S. states of Montana, South Dakota, and North Dakota, as well as from much of Canada.

Under a year later, on Aug.12, 2045 , another total solar eclipse will sweep over the U.S., visible from California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, as well as from the Caribbean, and South America.  

Submit your photos! If you capture a photo of the April 8 total solar eclipse and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send photos, videos, comments, and your name, location and content usage permission release to [email protected] .

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Robert Lea is a science journalist in the U.K. whose articles have been published in Physics World, New Scientist, Astronomy Magazine, All About Space, Newsweek and ZME Science. He also writes about science communication for Elsevier and the European Journal of Physics. Rob holds a bachelor of science degree in physics and astronomy from the U.K.’s Open University. Follow him on Twitter @sciencef1rst.

My formal 2024 solar eclipse apology

Top total solar eclipses to look out for over the next decade

Fallout and the Space Age: The franchise's connections and nods to the final frontier

Most Popular

• 2 Sierra Space wants to drop cargo from orbit to anywhere on Earth in 90 minutes
• 3 DJI Avata 2 drone review
• 4 Scientists identify origin of the 'BOAT' — the brightest cosmic blast of all time
• 5 My formal 2024 solar eclipse apology

• Safari Seminar
• Texas River Marathon
• Texas Water Safari
• Texas Junior Water Safari
• Texas Water Safari Hall of Fame
• Brad Ellis Spirit Award
• Past Results
• Get Registered
• Texas Water Safari 2024 Entries
• Texas River Marathon (Prelim) 2024 Entries
• Calhoun’s Gator Chase 2024
• 2024 Calender
• TWS Rules and Procedures
• Boat Types, Classes and Special Recognition
• Course Description
• Driving Guide
• Clean Boats Campaign (pdf)
• Team Inventory Sheet (Excel)
• Team Captain Worksheet
• TWS Helpful Links
• River Flow Data
• Texas Paddling Trails

Texas Water Safari Registration – 148 Teams

Safari news.

• Gate Code for Gonzales Dam Portage
• Order TWS Magnetic door signs for competitors, team captains, and spectators.

Safari Sponsors