River Systems Institute

Our programs and projects demonstrate our deep commitment to the careful stewardship of the world's freshwater resources. Through collaborative research, public advocacy, and education on river systems, the Institute affirms the unique role of water in our lives. As one of the earth's most remarkable resources, we are dedicated to preserving and protecting this irreplaceable gift - water.

Dr. Thomas Hardy Instream Flow Short Courses

15th National Nonpoint Source Monitoring Workshop Proceedings 

April 28 - 30, 2008
Hosted by the River Systems Institute and Texas Water Resources Institute

This timely conference took a comprehensive look at what we know about climate change and what we need to know to prepare for local impacts to Texas’ water resources, its availability, and to the communities, both natural and human, which depend on it.  Over the course of 3 days,  Forecast: Climate Change – Texas Water 2008, featured international and national climate change scientists who have conducted cutting-edge work in the prediction of global warming and the impending changes on the earth’s climate and state climatologists and scientists who are working to understand the impacts to the State of Texas and it water resources. 

2007 - 2008 Common Experience

The Common Experience is a year-long initiative of the University designed to cultivate a common intellectual conversation across campus and to foster a sense of community throughout the campus. The theme for the 2007-2008 Common Experience is : “The Water Planet – A River Runs Through Us”.

The subject of water has particular relevance for our University.  The unique, spring-fed San Marcos River that runs through campus is a constant reminder of the many dimensions and roles that water plays in our lives.

For more information about events and activities planned for next year, please visit http://www.txstate.edu/commonexperience.

In Water We Trust by Colette Baron

Texas State University deposited 33,108 acre-feet of San Marcos River water rights in the Texas Water Trust. Andrew Sansom, executive director of the River Systems Institute, remarks that water plays a defining role at the university.“Having the headwaters of the San Marcos River on campus and having strong aquatic resource programs in the biology and geography departments make water a major part of the school’s culture. The university’s deposit in the trust represents a particularly meaningful and very real commitment to protecting water as a core value.” More