Ogallala Aquifer Water Level Measurements

Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District takes measurements on a network of 800+ wells throughout the District each year to determine yearly aquifer changes in water levels. The measurements are taken not only to determine the water level in the aquifer, but also to collect data, provide information for future planning and to determine IRS depletion allowances.

The winter water level measurements play a critical role in in gauging our compliance with the 50/50 goal, to have 50 percent of the water remaining in the aquifer 50 years from now, by allowing us to monitor the decline of saturated thickness in the aquifer over the past year.

Knowing the amount of decline drives enforcement of study areas in places where water levels have dropped below the allowed annual 1.25 percent of saturated thickness. When study areas go into place, the landowner is notified and water use is monitored more frequently by the District. If the decline levels improve it can come out of a study area, however, if decline continues to exceed the allowable limit, the study area could be designated a conservation area by the District which may result in reductions of the maximum annual production rate.

Depth to water level measurements shown in the publication (see link below) were taken from November 2014 to February 2015. The measurements are taken during these winter months when demands for irrigation are lower so that a more representative static water level can be obtained. Every effort is made to capture this measurement when levels have recovered or stabilized.

As for next year, water level measurements should show a positive impact on aquifer declines because of significantly reduced pumping due to recent rains. Some decline will still occur however, but hopefully not as much as in years past. Recharge of aquifers due to surface precipitation will not be realized for decades and in the big picture is negligible. The aquifer is like a big bank account but if you are putting pennies in and taking dollar bills out the bank account will diminish. Conservation is still and will always be a priority even with the improved conditions.

To view PGCD's July 2015 Newsletter - Water Level Issue click here.

Public Education in Full Swing Across the District

The staff at Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District (PGCD) jumped into 2012 with more enthusiasm for public education and outreach than ever before!  With last year’s extreme drought still fresh on everyone’s mind, we’re working hard to drive home the dire importance of water conservation. Not only did our elementary education program kick into full-swing, but a lot of other opportunities have come along as well.

Each year, PGCD does countless programs for civic organizations throughout the year and this year has been no exception.  We visited the Retired Teachers Association of Panhandle to discuss xeriscape gardening and rainwater harvesting.  There was a great turnout and a lot of enthusiasm over the attractive new rain barrels that are available.  The Groom Girls Scouts learned all about xeriscaping and drought tolerant plants and presentations were also delivered at meetings for the Texas Farm Bureau, Ogallala Common’s Playa Education Day, High Plains Driller’s, City of Amarillo Utilities, and Shamrock Downtown Booster Club. 

On February 8, PGCD hosted the Inaugural Panhandle Water Conservation Symposium: the Dollars and $ense of Conservation.  It was an immense success and we are thrilled with the turnout.  (For the full story, see page: one.)  The City of Amarillo and PGCD partnered on booths at the Amarillo Home and Garden Show, Amarillo Utility School, and Regeneration 2012’s tree planting at Thompson Park.  The aquifer exhibit was on display at the Amarillo Botanical Gardens throughout the month of March with tours led by Alice in Waterland.  Staff also attended the Donley County Health Fair, Carson County Ag Fair and West Texas A&M University Earth Day.

Pauline Robertson with Alice (Joy Shadid) from Alice and Waterland at the Botanical Gardens. Picture taken by Robyn Turner.

We are looking forward to many exciting upcoming events and are eager to continue educating the public about the importance of water conservation.  If you would like a presentation for your civic group, please contact Joy Shadid at 806-883-2501.

Rules and Management Plan Changes Made

Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District (District) amended the district rules and management plan after a hearing on April 4, 2012. Many of the rule changes were required by statute because of legislation enacted in 2011.  Among those required changes is the addition of Groundwater Management Area (GMA) hearings to the hearing procedures in Rule 10, clarification of the District’s role in the GMA planning in Rule 12, clarification in Rule 15 that the District’s existing 50/50 Management Standard is adopted as the Desired Future Condition (DFC) of the Ogallala in this area and the addition of DFC’s for the minor aquifers in the area including a 50/50 DFC for the Blaine Aquifer, and a decline of no more than 30 feet in 50 years for the Dockum Aquifer.

The other major changes are regarding wells that are classified as exempt use because of their oil and gas exploration status. Those wells will now be required to meet spacing rules because many of them, once abandoned by the oil and gas companies, are returned to the landowners for other uses. Also, those wells will now be required to install a meter and report water use annually. Since the GMA and Regional Planning processes require the District to have good estimates of water use, this new reporting of oil and gas water use is critical to make these estimates more accurate within the District.

As the oil and gas exploration continues to expand and use more water in the District, and the GMA and Regional Planning processes require the District to have better estimates of water use, this reporting is more critical for the District.

The management plan was updated in order to capture the DFC’s and update the water use and supplies information required by the Texas Water Development Board. This plan outlines 13 goals that guide the District’s actions over the next five years. The guiding principle of the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District is still the 50/50 Management Standard, and the amendments to the rules and management plan serve only to strengthen that goal.