Texas Gulf Coast Groundwater and Land Subsidence Over Forty Years of Research in the Houston-Galveston Region. The Trinity Aquifer is a major aquifer that extends across much of the central and northeastern part of the state. storage and recovery facility A major aquifer is generally defined as supplying large quantities of water in large areas of the state. U.S. Geological Survey 505 Ferguson Lane Austin, Texas 78754-4501 The Edwards and Trinity aquifers are classified as major aquifers by the Texas Water Development Board and are major sources of water in south-central Texas, where Hays County is located. The aquifer is used for municipal, industrial, and irrigation purposes. Aquifers shown on the 2003PrincipalAquifers map, with some additions, were used as the first National AquiferReferenceList in the USGSNational Water Information System(NWIS) in theAggregate Water Use Data System(AWUDS,database released in August 2001). PrefaceThe Ground Water Atlas of the United States presents a comprehensive summary of the Nation's ground-water resources and is a basic reference for the location, geography, geology, and hydrologic characteristics of the major aquifers in the Nation. Parts of the aquifer in the Winter Garden area and portions of Brazos County are slightly to moderately saline, with total dissolved solids ranging from 1,000 to 7,000 milligrams per liter. in Texas. Please note that the maps do not show the entire extent of an aquifer, only itssubcropor outcrop area. National aquifers, or principal aquifers of the United States, are defined as regionally extensive aquifers or aquifer systems that have the potential to be used as a source of potable(drinkable)water. The aquifer is comprised of the Twin Mountains, Glen Rose, Paluxy, Hosston, and Hensell formations. Groundwater movement is generally toward the southeast. In 2008, irrigation accounted for 43 percent of water pumped from the aquifer, and municipal supply accounted for 47 percent. Five GCD's (Red on the map), the GMA12, are required to work together to set these conditions for the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. We'd love to hear from you. The aquifer also feeds several well-known recreational springs and underlies some of Texas most environmentally sensitive areas. This document provides information on the basic functions of AWUDS and the steps f, Fresh ground-water withdrawals from 66 principal aquifers in the United States were estimated for irrigation, public-supply, and self-supplied industrial water uses for the year 2000. For Geophysical Well Log assistance contact. Last fall while exploring for oil and gas deposits in southwest Texas, a driller instead found a huge freshwater deep aquifer. Conservation districts are promoting more-efficient irrigation techniques, and market-based, voluntary transfers of unused agricultural water rights to municipal uses are more common. The aquifer is comprised of the Twin Mountains, Glen Rose, Paluxy, Hosston, and Hensell formations. They are grouped into four categories: basin-fill, blanket sand and gravel, glacial-deposit, and stream-valley aquifers. Located west of the Franklin Mountains, the Mesilla Bolson reaches up to 2,000 feet in thickness and contains three separate water-producing zones. The Maverick Aquifer, as it's been named, lies more than a mile deep under parts of Maverick, Uvalde, Dimmit and Kinney Counties. About 60 percent of the approximately 16 million acre-feet of water used yearly in Texas is derived from underground formations that make up 9 major and 22 minor aquifers. The Aggregate Water-Use Data System (AWUDS) is the database management system used to enter, store, and analyze state aggregate water-use data. (in error) Northern Great Plains aquifer system, Some revisions to the lists of valid States, this code, and reference list were added to the NWIS Site File and toNWISWebwith the release of NWIS 4.5 in 2005; see the WMA Technical Memo "NWIS 4.5 -- Assigning National Aquifer Codes in the Ground Water Site Inventory (GWSI) for the NWIS 4.5 Release.". San Antonio It is composed of several smaller aquifers contained within the Trinity Group. January 31, 2023. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. El Paso and Fort Bliss also have built the worlds largest inland desalination plant in El Paso County, which uses brackish groundwater from the Hueco Bolson. Latitude (DD) Longitude (DD) County. The Ogallala aquifer extends through 48 counties of the Texas Panhandle and is the southernmost extension of the largest aquifer (High Plains aquifer) in North America. Guadalupe runs dry with rainfall scarce. For study or mapping purposes, aquifers are often combined into aquifer systems. Get your free copy of the 20202021 Texas Almanac eBook. The published maps contain base and cultural features not included in these data. This map, which was derived fromGround Water Atlas of the United Statesdata (published as part of the National Atlas in 1998, revised 2003) indicates the areal extent of the uppermost principal aquifers on a national scale. Their combined freshwater saturated thickness averages about 600 feet in North Texas and about 1,900 feet in Central Texas. Increased salinity may be associated with evaporative concentration of groundwater in saline playa lakes in the southern portion of the aquifer, up flow of more saline groundwater from the underlying Dockum Aquifer and other sources./p>. The aquifer now provides approximately 90 percent of the citys drinking water. 1700 North Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 TEL: 512-463-7847 / FAX: 512-475-2053. Sulfate and chloride concentrations also tend to increase with depth. The Ordovician age Ellenburger aquifer is a fractured limestone and dolomite and is present in the southeastern and northwestern portions of the county. The desired future conditions provide the foundation for estimating the amount of groundwater available to the region. Aquifer Code Name. To learn more, visit theNational Aquifer Code Reference List. The Trinity Aquifer consists of basal Cretaceous-age Trinity Group formations extending through 61 counties from the Red River in North Texas to the Hill Country of Central Texas. 400--Carbonate-rock aquifers. Where the Glen Rose thins or is absent, the Twin Mountains and Paluxy formations coalesce to form the Antlers Formation. Presented by Several agencies are investigating playa recharge and agricultural re-use projects over the aquifer. Irrigation accounts for more than half of the aquifer's discharge. General Information Letters and Private Letter Rulings, State Tax Automated Research (STAR) System, Historically Underutilized Business (HUB), Vendor Performance Tracking System (VPTS), Texas Procurement and Contract Management Guide, Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation College Compendium. Elevation (ft) Well Depth (ft) Water Level Observation Type. Major Aquifers of Texas [Map] Author: Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Year: 2006: Document Number: 1295: HCP EIS Reference: . Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. For a deeper dive into principal aquifers:TheGround Water Atlas of the United States(USGS Hydrologic Atlas 730,published inchapters from 1990 to2000) describes the location, hydrologic characteristics, and geologic characteristics of the principal aquifers throughout thefiftyStates, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The information was collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies during the course of many years of study. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) recognizes 9 major aquifers aquifers that produce large amounts of water over large areas (see major aquifers map) and 22 minor aquifers aquifers that produce minor amounts of water over large areas or large amounts of water over small areas (see minor aquifers map ). Page Contact Information: Texas Water Data Maintainer Page Last Modified: 2023-02-25 01:14:50 EST The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) recognizes 9 major aquifers aquifers that produce large amounts of water over large areas (see major aquifers map) and 22 minor aquifers aquifers that produce minor amounts of water over large areas or large amounts of water over small areas (see minor aquifers map). There are nine major aquifers and 22 minor aquifers that supply groundwater for municipal and irrigation needs throughout the state. For the distance tool click points on the map to build line segments to measure and double click to complete the measurement. In general, groundwater is fresh but very hard in the outcrop of the aquifer. Additional aquifer data through the USGS web app Entriesinitalicsare no longer valid.To learn more about a specific aquifer, visit the Principal Aquifers websitefor an overview, or access more extensive information from theGround Water Atlas of the United States. Historically, Texas has had a wealth of fresh to slightly saline water, which underlies more than 81 percent of the state. In cooperation with Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, the City of Houston, Fort Bend County Subsidence District, Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District, and Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District, the U.S. Geological Survey Texas Water Science Center Gulf Coast . Purchase your copy of the brand new Texas Almanac today! This is one in a series of reports the Comptroller has prepared on water in Texas. Below are other webpages associated with principal aquifers. New and Environmentally Improved. The water-yielding properties of carbonate rocks vary widely; some yield almost no water and are considered to be confining units, whereas others are among the most productive aquifers known. 1700 North Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701TEL: 512-463-7847 / FAX: 512-475-2053, Asset Management Program for Small Systems, State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT), Guidance & References for Online Loan Application, State Water Implementation Fund for Texas, 6th Planning Cycle Information (2026 RWPs), 2021 Regional Water Plans & Previous Plans, Regional Water Planning Data Entry Application (RWP22) Training, District Information (O-Z and Other Districts), Extended Naturalize Flow and Reservoir Evaporation, Flood Planning Useful Links and Resources, Drought Response and Financial Assistance, Water Conservation Plan ~ Utility Profile, Historical Water Loss Audit and Conservation Annual Report Data, Industrial, Commercial & Institutional (ICI), Brackish Resources Aquifer Characterization System, Notice of Nondiscrimination and Reasonable Accommodation, Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS), Texas Water Infrastructure Coordination Committee (TWICC), Texas Aquifers Study: Groundwater Quantity, Quality, Flow, and Contributions to Surface Water, An Investigation of Clouds and Precipitation for the Texas High Plains, Quantity and Chemical Quality of Low Flow in the Prairie Dog Town Fork Red River near Wayside, Texas, February 6-9,1968, Evaluating the Ground-Water Resources of the High Plains of Texas, Volumes 1-4, The High Plains Aquifer System of Texas, 1980 to 1990 - Overview and Projections, Evaluation of Ground-Water Resources in Dallam County, Texas, Evaluation of Enhanced Recharge Potential to the Ogallala Aquifer in the Brazos River Basin, Hale County, Texas, Updated Water-Quality Evaluation of the Ogallala Aquifer, Including Selected Metallic and Non-Metallic Inorganic Constituents, Studies of Playa Lakes in the High Plains of Texas, Geology and Ground-Water Resources of Hale County, Texas, Ground-Water Resources of Gaines County, Texas, Reconnaissance Investigation of the Ground-Water Resources of the Brazos River Basin, Texas, Conference Proceedings: Aquifers of the Edwards Plateau, Water-Quality Evaluation of the Ogallala Aquifer, Texas, Evaluation of Ground-Water Resources in Briscoe, Hale, and Swisher Counties, Texas, Evaluation of Ground-Water Resources in the Southern High Plains of Texas, Ground-Water Resources of Collingsworth County, Texas, Ground-Water Resources of Hall and Eastern Briscoe Counties, Texas, Water-Level Changes in the High Plains Aquifer of Texas, 1980-1990, Management plan information for Hemphill County UWCD, Management plan information for High Plains UWCD No. Below are publications associated with principal aquifers. This system has been divided into three major water-producing components referred to as the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers. Most of the carbonate-rock aquifers consist of limestone, but dolomite and marble locally yield water. Aquifers are vital to the states economy and environment, highlighting the need for their proper management and conservation. Such sites will not be retrieved using this search criteria. Water Use. Below are publications associated with national aquifers. The aquifer is primarily composed of sand locally interbedded with gravel, silt, clay, and lignite. Excessive pumping has lowered the water level, particularly in the artesian portion of the Winter Garden District of Atascosa, Dimmit, Frio, LaSalle, and Zavala counties and in the municipal and industrial areas of Angelina, Nacogdoches, and Smith counties. Throughout much of the aquifer, groundwater withdrawals exceed the amount of recharge, and water levels have declined fairly consistently through time. In 2005,thenational aquiferinformationwas addedto NWIS, allowing users to search by national aquifer code and name from the reference list below. The Ogallala Formation of late Miocene to early Pliocene age consists of heterogeneous sequen-ces of coarse-grained sand and gravel in the lower part, grading upward into clay, silt, and fine sand. Irrigation used the largest amount of ground water, 56,900 million gallons per day, foll, PrefaceThe Ground Water Atlas of the United States presents a comprehensive summary of the Nation's ground-water resources and is a basic reference for the location, geography, geology, and hydrologic characteristics of the major aquifers in the Nation. The Hueco Bolson, located on the eastern side of the Franklin Mountains, consists of up to 9,000 feet of clay, silt, sand, and gravel and is an important source of drinking water for both El Paso and Juarez, Mexico. It's very responsive to the weather and very responsive to drought, unfortunately. These aquifers span many counties and most of the major aquifers extend beyond Texas borders. In 2019, more than 4.4 million acre-feet were pumped from the Ogallala Aquifer, accounting for 67 percent of the water sourced from all major Texas aquifers. H2Oaks is Freshwater saturated thickness averages 95 feet. Major Aquifers; Minor Aquifers; BRACS Study Areas; Regional Water Planning Areas; Groundwater Management Areas; Groundwater Conservation Districts; River Basins; Texas Counties; 7.5' USGS Grid; 2.5' State Grid; Base Maps This dataset documents the depth to groundwater measured in wells screened in the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas for 2019. Each PA was sampled across its lateral extent using an equal-area grid, typically with 60 wells. Until recently, San Antonio was one of the largest cities in the world that relied solely on a single groundwater source for its municipal supply. Some water-bearing formations dip below the surface and are covered by other formations. In scattered places in the United States, carbonate rocks are interbedded with almost equal amounts of water-yielding sandstone. Now called the Maverick Basin Aquifer, it is known to be at least 3,000 square miles in area and averages 1,000 feet thick in most places. Adopt the TX Town or County of your choice and share your message with the world. Consisting of up to 1,500 feet of alluvial fill, the aquifer occupies two hydrologically separate basins: the Pecos Trough in the west and the Monument Draw Trough in the east. The Wilcox Group and overlying Carrizo Sand form a hydrologically connected system of sand locally interbedded with clay, silt, lignite, and gravel. County-- select one or more . Elsewhere, the aquifer supplies fresh but hard water for municipal, domestic, and livestock use. See more information on Water Issues and the Texas economy. Summary The Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer is a major aquifer extending from the Louisiana border to the border of Mexico in a wide band adjacent to and northwest of the Gulf Coast Aquifer. Their combined freshwater saturated thickness averages about 600 feet in North Texas and about 1,900 feet in Central Texas. It is part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System. Aquifers are identified by a geohydrologic unit code - a three-digit number related to the age of the formation, followed by a 4 or 5 character abbreviation for the geologic unit or aquifer name. The Edwards (BFZ) aquifer forms a narrow belt extending through 13 counties from a groundwater divide in Kinney County through the San Antonio area northeastward to the Leon River in Bell County. In 2008, 72 percent of groundwater pumped from the aquifer was used for irrigation, and the rest is withdrawn for industrial uses, power supply, and municipal use. About 32 percent of water used to meet municipal demands is from groundwater. The Ogallala Aquifer provides significantly more water for users than any other aquifer in the state. The Ground Water Atlas of the United States is available onlineas anHTML website, asdownloadable PDFs, andoravailable for purchasethrough the USGS Store. Texas Water Development Board works best with JavaScript enabled. 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