Texas Water Rights Commission v. Crow Iron Works

Crow Iron Works, L.M.B. Corp., Gustave Ring and Hidalgo County Water Control and Improvement District No. 15, respondents here (hereinafter "Crow Iron Works, et al."), brought suit against the Texas Water Rights Commission, petitioner here. Several water districts intervened on behalf of the Commission. The suit seeks to set aside a Commission order denying Crow Iron Works, et al.s petition to upgrade water rights awarded them or their predecessors under the judgment entered in the Lower Rio Grande Valley water rights adjudication. State v. Hidalgo County W.C.I.D. No. 18, 443 S.W.2d 728 (Tex.Civ.App. Corpus Christi 1969, writ refd n. r. e.) (hereinafter "the Valley Water Case"). The primary issue is whether the judgment in the Valley Water Case is res judicata of the water rights asserted here. The trial court upheld the Commissions determination that the Valley Water Case is res judicata of Crow Iron Works, et al.s claims. The court of civil appeals reversed and remanded the cause for a trial on the merits. 569 S.W.2d 638. We reverse the judgment of the court of civil appeals and affirm the judgment of the trial court.