Eagle Pass ISD Water Warriors Gain Hands-On Experience at Amistad Dam Tour
By Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
Eagle Pass Independent School District students from Eagle Pass High School and C.C. Winn High School received a firsthand look at international water management during an educational visit and tour of Amistad Dam in Del Rio, Texas.
On Tuesday, September 22, 2026 members of the Eagle Pass ISD Water Warriors traveled to the international dam under the guidance of Eagle Pass Water Works System General Manager and Eagle Pass ISD Board President, Jorge Barrera.
During the visit, students learned how the dam shared by the United States and Mexico operates and the essential role it plays in flood control, water conservation and management of the Rio Grande.
The students were welcomed by Evelio Siller, area operations manager for the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, and members of his staff. IBWC personnel provided an informative tour and explained the dam’s operations, infrastructure and importance to communities on both sides of the border.
The Eagle Pass ISD Water Warriors program was created in April 2023 by the Eagle Pass Water Works System as a leadership and youth-development initiative for EPISD high school students.
Students are selected through an application and interview process. The program holds monthly meetings, leadership workshops, presentations and field trips intended to educate participants about water resources, public service and career opportunities.
The initiative also encourages community involvement while helping students develop innovative and creative approaches to future water challenges.
Amistad Dam is one of the most important international water projects along the Texas-Mexico border. Construction began in 1963, and the dam and reservoir were completed in 1969, meaning the facility has existed for approximately 57 years.
The dam was dedicated in 1969 by President Richard Nixon and Mexican President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz. It is jointly operated and maintained by the U.S. and Mexican sections of the IBWC. Its principal purposes include flood control and water conservation for both countries.
Experiences such as the Amistad Dam tour allow students to connect classroom instruction with real-world careers involving engineering, technology, environmental protection and water-resource management.
