No one knows how much water sits beneath the desert of Terlingua. Residents worry their wells will run dry, as developers and local officials cheer the tourism boom.

Marcos Carley checks the water level of his portable tote as he and his wife make a water run to the Terlingua Ranch Lodge on Friday, March 15, 2024 in South Brewster County. Carley said he and his wife have to fill up their tote with non-potable water every couple of weeks and must purchase drinking water from either Terlingua or Alpine, the latter being a nearly three-hour round trip.

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