Post on 20-May-2015
transcript
Groundwater Management Strategies
For The High Plains of Texas
Jim ConkwrightJim ConkwrightGeneral Manager
High Plains Underground Water
Conservation District No. 1
Lubbock TX
TAGD Groundwater Summit
August 29, 2012
High Plains of Texas• We live with drought on daily basis.
– Agricultural, industrial, and urban water users continue to adopt
conservation practices.
• Agricultural irrigation only supplements rainfall.• Agricultural irrigation only supplements rainfall.
(Less pumping in wet years + more in dry years)
• Reliance on water conservation plays key role in water
planning.
• GCDs in Ogallala region use similar strategies.
– Allowable production rates.
– Shared management plans/conservation strategies.
– Water well spacing requirements.
Different Districts =
Different Desired Future Conditions =
Different Strategies
GCDs use a variety of tools in the toolbox to formulate
water conservation strategies to achieve DFCs.water conservation strategies to achieve DFCs.
Adopted strategies based upon local decisions.
GMA # 140/50 DFC(Dallam, Sherman, Moore & Hartley in a district)
50/50 DFC (Rest of GMA # 1 & areas not in a district)
80/50 DFC (Hemphill County)
North Plains GCD
Panhandle GCD
Hemphill Co.
UWCD
These adopted DFCs for
southern portion of
GMA # 2 and areas not in a district
are based upon a continuation of water
level declines resulting
from estimated production
rates from 1998-2007.
Sandy Land
UWCDSouth Plains
UWCD
Mesa
UWCDLlano Estacado
UWCD
High Plains UWCD # 1
Garza FW &
UWCD
GMA # 250/50 DFC(HPWD & areas not in a district)
Permian Basin UWCD
HPWD DFC and
Management Strategies
• DFC for Ogallala Aquifer is 50/50.
• 50 % of saturated thickness in 2010 • 50 % of saturated thickness in 2010
still in storage in 2060.
• Strategies include:
• Spacing rules
• Allowable production rates (APR)
• Water use reporting
• Water banking
• Public education/awareness
Take Home Points
• Proactive management needed if
sustainable use of water resources is to be
achieved.achieved.
• “One Size Doesn’t Fit All!”
• GCDs must use different management tools
as they formulate strategies for local
management of aquifers.
Jim Conkwright
High Plains Underground Water
Conservation District No. 1
2930 Avenue Q2930 Avenue Q
Lubbock TX 79411-2499
(806) 762-0181
jimc@hpwd.com
or
info@hpwd.com