Texas Water Code - WATER § 15.325. Emergency Releases of Water

(a) All water owned by the board in any facility may be released at the discretion of the board, with or without charge, to relieve any emergency condition arising from drought, public calamity, or any other reason causing a severe water shortage, if the commission first determines the existence of the emergency and requests the board to release water to alleviate the emergency condition.

(b) The executive administrator may authorize the release of water owned by the state from any facility in which the state has an interest under this subchapter for a period of not to exceed 72 hours from time of authorization to relieve an emergency condition that poses an imminent threat of flooding.  The commission must approve any release of water that must be made beyond the 72-hour period provided by this subsection.