water conservation for the texas high plains symposium/2015... · kody bessent, legislative affairs...
TRANSCRIPT
Water ConservationFor The Texas High Plains
1
Kody Bessent, Legislative Affairs DirectorHigh Plains Underground Water Conservation District
Bell County Water SymposiumNovember 19, 2015
The Water Cycle
“All the water there will be . . . is.”‐‐ Anonymous
Water Makes a Big Difference!
November 3, 2015 November 1, 2011
Five years later – there are no exceptional drought conditions in Texas!
Created September 1951 by voters and Texas legislature.(64 years of service)
Very first groundwater conservation district established in Texas.
Enabling legislation charges the district to “conserve, preserve, and protect the underground waters” within its service area. (Currently all or part of 16 counties)
High Plains Water District
We are dedicated to the principle that “water conservation is best accomplished through education and demonstration.”
The public will conserve water if they knowWHY and HOW.
High Plains Water District
Groundwater Use in Texas(2012 State Water Plan – Now finalizing 2016 plans)
80% is for crop production
15% is for municipal use
5% is for livestock/manufacturing
Some District Responsibilities By Statute
Governed by Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code.
Develop rules to conserve, preserve, protect, and recharge underground water. Protect against waste.
Make surveys of the groundwater reservoir(s).
Develop a comprehensive plan for the most efficient use of groundwater.
Carry out water conservation research, projects and or strategies.
Publish information and plans which are designed to encourage water conservation by users in the district.
Ag Producers: Irrigation Assessment
HPWD monitored 101 irrigation systems covering 14,243 acres of land throughout the district’s 16‐county service area.
Helps determine water use efficiency,enabling producers to have more timelyirrigation when needed and achieve greaterConservation.
12,971 center pivots in HPWD.
4,263 subsurface drip systems in HPWD.
Water Conservation Research
Support of research to determine which turf grass variety is best suited for semi‐arid climates.
HPWD Board of Directors funded 7 research proposals with emphasis on groundwater stored in the Dockum Aquifer. Other priorities include rainwater harvesting, groundwater reuse, and agricultural water conservation. (June 9, 2015)
We have come a long way…
Pumping a full pipe of water 1,150 g.p.m.
Hale County (1938)
Applying limited irrigation waterin furrow dikes
under a LEPA system
Open unlined ditch irrigation
Subsurface Drip Irrigation
HPWD Groundwater Management Goals
Water Management in Texas
Striking a balance:
Supply vs. demand Drought vs. flooding Water use by groups Agriculture vs. urban interests Fact vs. emotion
Texas is a big state –with many different groundwater issues.
One set of laws/rules will not meet all needs.
Local management of local resources is preferred.
Our Groundwater Resources
The Ogallala Aquifer in the southern High Plains has been utilized since the 1930s.
It is a saturated geologic formation consisting of sands, gravels, and clays.
It is NOT an underground lake, river, or “water bottle.”
Our Groundwater Resources
Ogallala Aquifer Dockum “Santa Rosa” AquiferEdwards‐Trinity High Plains Aquifer
9 21
Groundwater Management Areas
Regional Water Planning Areas
We MUST Conserve!
Good Stewardship“Right thing to do!”
Extend life of aquifersto take advantage ofnew conservation technologies.
Extend life of aquifersto maintain viability ofour way of life.
Contact us for more information!
High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1
2930 Avenue QLubbock TX 79411‐2499
(806) 762‐0181www.hpwd.org