Rice farming in Matagorda County is shrinking fast as drought limits water from the Colorado River. The Lower Colorado River Authority often cuts irrigation supplies when lake levels drop, leaving farmers without water for seasons at a time. At its peak, the county grew 55,000 acres of rice; today, it’s down to about 10,500 acres. Rising costs add pressure, with water running about $250 per acre. Local ag businesses are also hurting. A new reservoir in Wharton County may help, but the future of rice here remains uncertain.