October Term 2012 · Docket 11-889
Can Oklahoma block Texas from using water in Oklahoma under the Red River Compact?
Texas water users seek access to water located in Oklahoma. Oklahoma argues it can deny that access entirely.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Texas counsel stated Oklahoma agreed to let Texas use water in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma counsel argued the lower court correctly allowed Oklahoma to block Texas access.
Justice Breyer questioned the mechanism for a state to take water from another state.
Justice Sotomayor questioned how a non-bordering state would access water in Oklahoma.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-9 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 13-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 5-35 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 5-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 37-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-5 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 31-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-5 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-5
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The Red River Compact grants Texas rights to use specific water in Oklahoma. Oklahoma claims it can block that use. Texas claims the Compact forces Oklahoma to allow it.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-9 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 13-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 5-35 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 5-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-5 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 31-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-15
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 23, 2013.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-15
What each side wants
Texas wants the Court to enforce the Compact and allow its users to use water in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma wants the Court to uphold its right to deny Texas users access to that water.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-9 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 13-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 5-35 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 5-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-5 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 31-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-15
What each side says
Texas argues Oklahoma agreed to let Texas use a specified quantity of water in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma argues it can categorically foreclose Texas users from accessing water in its subbasin.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-9 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 13-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 5-35 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 5-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-5 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 31-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-15
What the justices asked
Justice Breyer asked if a state can take water from another state without a mechanism.
Justice Sotomayor asked how Louisiana would take water from Oklahoma if it shares no border.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 37-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-5 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-5
Why it matters
This case defines how states share water across borders. It determines whether a state can unilaterally block another state's compact rights. The outcome shapes interstate water management and resource allocation.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-9 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 13-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 5-35 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 5-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-5 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 31-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-15
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 37-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-33 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-5 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-5
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-9 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 13-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 5-35 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 5-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-5 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 31-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-9 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 13-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 5-35 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 5-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-5 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 31-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-15
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.