Unpacking the Brazos River

Brazos River Authority

Ready to unpack the powerful stories of a Texas titan - the Brazos River? Listen as experts explain the Brazos River Basin's immense role in our daily lives. They'll cover everything from the river's fascinating history to all the work that goes into ensuring you have water when you turn on your faucet. Hear invaluable insights on topics like why lake levels change, the important projects safeguarding our water, the many species that call the Brazos home, and even some tips for enjoying the water from Brazos River Authority experts. This is your chance to understand the immense work that goes into developing, managing, and protecting the Brazos River Basin, which stretches from the Texas-New Mexico border to the Gulf. (The basin is the size of Tennessee, y’all, it’s big.) It’s a huge part of our state’s story and we can’t wait to share it with you.

  1. EPISODE 1

    Goldfish Gone Wild

    Thinking about releasing your unwanted fish into the wild? Think again! These seemingly harmless pets can become invasive nightmares, destroying ecosystems and costing Texans money. We're talking about why that cute goldfish or lush aquarium plant could spell big trouble for Texas waterways.   Plus, hear about the fascinating (and sometimes hilarious) details of "fish taxis" and why some fish are just born to travel.   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: Tiffany Malzahn, BRA chief environmental officer, and Jeremy Nickolai, BRA field operations manager. 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.

    35 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    Decoding the Drop

    Tired of feeling a little "fuzzy" on what the Brazos River Authority actually does? Join us as we discuss the Texas-sized problem that led to the BRA’s creation (and how our mission has evolved,) why conservation isn’t just about turning off the faucet, and a surprising look at our role in wastewater treatment – trust us, it’s cleaner than you think.   Discover the full scope of the BRA’s responsibilities and how it impacts communities, industries, and agriculture throughout 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.   Host: Charlie L. Shugart, BRA assistant public information officer. Guest: Matt Phillips, BRA deputy general manager. 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.

    44 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    Getting Opossum-bly Lost in a Good Way at PK Lake Trails

    Lace up your boots, inflate those bike tires, and get ready for an adventure at this North Texas reservoir. With 16 miles of "choose your own adventure" trails, a chance to encounter bobcats (and lots of other Texas wildlife,) and a spectacular view of Hell’s Gate, Possum Kingdom Lake has a hike and bike trail you don’t want to miss.    This episode is your trail map to learn how to craft your perfect adventure with a variety of free amenities and discover how the BRA keeps these award-winning trails pristine for your enjoyment 365 days a year.   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: Troy Weatherhead, BRA Possum Kingdom Lake reservoir manager, and Diane Davis, BRA Possum Kingdom Lake reservoir program coordinator. 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.

    24 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    What do you mean I need a permit?

    Who owns the water in our rivers and lakes? Why do certain people, municipalities, and agencies get water rights? Is a watermaster a superhero or a real person? There are a lot of misconceptions about the answers to these questions, and in this episode, David Collinsworth, BRA’s General Manager and CEO, and Brad Brunett, BRA's chief operations officer, break down the complicated Texas water rights and how they affect you.   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: David Collinsworth, BRA’s General Manager and CEO, and Brad Brunett, BRA's chief operations 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.

    38 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    Brazos Uncovered: The Salt, The Shift, The Story

    How long would it take a rubber ducky to float the Brazos River? Where in the Brazos River Basin does it look like it has snowed because there’s so much salt on the ground? Dive into the surprising history of the Brazos, hear how its mouth moved, and learn the critical role its reservoirs play in ensuring you have a reliable supply of water for everything from drinking to air conditioning.  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: Judi Pierce, public information officer, and Candice Sheridan, public information coordinator. 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.

    31 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    Will there be enough water available for one of Texas’ fastest-growing counties?

    Growth and water needs are colliding in Eastern Williamson County. We’re unpacking a series of projects ongoing to secure a sustainable water future for the entire region. Learn about the bottlenecks, dealing with 112-degree water, and the radical idea of storing water in underground “bubbles.” 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: Brad Brunett, BRA Chief Operations Officer, and Mandy Cullar, BRA program manager. 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.

    31 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    Five coats of periwinkle: The Sterling C. Robertson Dam

    We're talking massive steel gates, legendary Texas pioneers, and why evaporation is truly Lake Limestone’s No. 1 customer. This water supply reservoir is a place where German tourists, traveling preachers, and locals all converge, but keeping this paradise protected is a full-time, hands-on job. Tune in as we hear about replacing more than 40-ton gates using a massive crane barge and dealing with unexpected 10-inch rainfall in this episode on Lake Limestone and its Sterling C. Robertson Dam. 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: John Dickson, BRA regional lake operations manager, Jackie Scott, BRA assistant reservoir manager and program coordinator, and Scott Davis, BRA lake ranger sergeant. 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.

    46 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    Why your dish soap and hot water are only making the problem worse

    That delicious, buttery gravy, salad dressing, peanut butter, and bacon grease you just washed down the sink can become a slow-motion dynamite for your home's plumbing. Why is Brown Friday the busiest day for plumbers, and how can your own holiday cleanup habits leave you with a disgusting, raw sewage back-up and a repair bill that costs more than your entire feast? 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: Troy Zwerneman, BRA regional operations programs coordinator, and Candice Sheridan, BRA public information coordinator.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.

    25 min
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About

Ready to unpack the powerful stories of a Texas titan - the Brazos River? Listen as experts explain the Brazos River Basin's immense role in our daily lives. They'll cover everything from the river's fascinating history to all the work that goes into ensuring you have water when you turn on your faucet. Hear invaluable insights on topics like why lake levels change, the important projects safeguarding our water, the many species that call the Brazos home, and even some tips for enjoying the water from Brazos River Authority experts. This is your chance to understand the immense work that goes into developing, managing, and protecting the Brazos River Basin, which stretches from the Texas-New Mexico border to the Gulf. (The basin is the size of Tennessee, y’all, it’s big.) It’s a huge part of our state’s story and we can’t wait to share it with you.

Information

  • Creator
    Brazos River Authority
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Brazos River Authority
  • Show Website
    Unpacking the Brazos River