Severe drought conditions may cause Matagorda County to lose thousands of acres of rice crops and millions of dollars in revenue. The Lower Colorado River Authority has announced that there will be no Highland Lakes water available for agricultural customers in Matagorda, Wharton, and Colorado counties this year. This is due to the drought affecting the Hill Country’s lake reservoirs, leading to low levels in the water supply. The county stands to lose around $30 million, impacting rice farmers, turf farmers, row crops, and ranchers who rely on the water for their cattle.