Irrigation

Irrigation Districts Deliver Water Across the County

A network of irrigation districts—some dating to the 1910s—delivers Rio Grande water to farms and communities throughout Hidalgo County.

Hidalgo County Home & Property

Multiple irrigation districts hold water rights in the lower Rio Grande region. These districts own and run the canal systems that move water across the flat valley. Some of these districts go back to the 1910s.

If you buy farm land in Hidalgo County, your property may be served by one of these districts. That means water is delivered through their canals. It also means you may owe fees to the district.

Before you buy rural land here, find out which district covers the property. Ask what it charges. These fees are a real, ongoing cost of owning agricultural land in Hidalgo County. Check with TCEQ's watermaster program for more details on how the districts work.

Source to confirm: TCEQ – Rio Grande Watermaster Program

More Hidalgo County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two Separate Offices Handle Your Property Taxes

Hidalgo County has one office that values your property and a different office that collects the taxes—you need to know which to contact.

Read note ->

Homestead Exemption

A Homestead Exemption Can Lower Your Tax Bill

If your home is your main residence, you can file for a homestead exemption that reduces how much of its value gets taxed.

Read note ->

Taxing Units

Your Tax Bill Comes From Many Different Entities

Hidalgo County has 56 active taxing units, so your total tax bill is the sum of rates from several different entities.

Read note ->

Agricultural Valuation

Farm and Ranch Land Can Be Taxed on Productivity, Not Market Value

Texas law lets qualifying farmland and ranchland be taxed on what it produces rather than what it could sell for, which can cut the tax bill significantly.

Read note ->