In Texas, over 6.6 million acre-feet of surface water is used per year, primarily to supply water for industries, cities, and irrigation. Many ranch owners in Texas have an extensive amount of surface water on their properties. While it’s technically owned by the state, landowners have the right to use it for domestic purposes and livestock. However, it’s important for ranch owners to have a clear understanding of surface water laws and regulations before they begin to use it on their land.