What is the San Jacinto River Authority?
The San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) is a river authority created by the Texas Legislature. Its mission is to develop, conserve and protect the water resources of the San Jacinto River basin. Its headquarters is on Dam Site Road in Conroe, in Montgomery County.
When was the San Jacinto River Authority created?
The Legislature created the agency in 1937 as the San Jacinto River Conservation and Reclamation District. The enabling act is Chapter 426 (H.B. 832), Acts of the 45th Legislature. The law has never been codified and exists only in session law. The agency took its current name in 1951.
How is the San Jacinto River Authority governed?
A seven-member board of directors governs SJRA. The governor appoints the directors with the advice and consent of the Texas Senate. Four directors must live in Montgomery County. Directors serve staggered six-year terms and elect the board president.
What area does the San Jacinto River Authority serve?
SJRA’s jurisdiction covers all or part of seven counties. It includes the San Jacinto River watershed outside Harris County. The authority still serves customers in eastern Harris County through its Highlands system.
What does the San Jacinto River Authority operate?
- Lake Conroe. SJRA built Lake Conroe with the City of Houston in 1973 and operates the Lake Conroe Dam.
- Highlands Division. SJRA bought the east-side canal of a wartime Federal Works Agency system in 1945. The system now runs more than 27 miles of canal from a pump station on Lake Houston to a 1,400-acre reservoir. It sells raw water to industrial users and to communities including Crosby.
- Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP) Division. SJRA’s surface water treatment plant is in Conroe.
- Woodlands Division. It serves The Woodlands.
- Flood Management Division. Flood mitigation is one of the long-term regional strategies SJRA pursues, along with water supply and wastewater treatment.
Does SJRA levy a property tax?
No. SJRA receives no state appropriations and does not levy taxes. Its revenue comes from water and wastewater services sold to utilities and industrial customers. The Sunset Advisory Commission issued its decisions on a review of SJRA in January 2021.