Adopted May 6, 2004
Certified by the Texas Water Development Board on July 22, 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Mission statement
II. Time period for this plan
III. Statement of guiding principles
IV. District information
A. Creation
B. Location and Extent
C. Background
D. Authority/Regulatory Framework
E. Groundwater Resources of Brazos and Robertson Counties
F. Surface Water Resources of Brazos and Robertson Counties
G. Estimate of Total Usable Amount of Groundwater in the District
H. Current Annual Water Use
I. Projected Water Demand Within the District
J. Projected Water Management Strategies to Meet Future Supply Needs
K. Natural or Artificial Recharge of Groundwater Resources
1. Estimate of Amount of Recharge to the Groundwater Resources within
the District
2. How Artificial Recharge of Groundwater within the District May
be Increased
V. Management of Groundwater Supplies
VI. Methodology to Track District Progress in Achieving Management Goals
VII. Actions, Procedures, Performance, and Avoidance for District Implementation
of Management Plan
VIII. Management Goals and Objective
A. Management goals
1. Implement Strategies Providing for the Most Efficient Use of Groundwater
2. Implement Strategies to Control and Prevent Waste of Groundwater
3. Implement Strategies to Address Conjunctive Surface Water
Management Issues
4. Implement Strategies to Address Natural Resource Issues that Impact the
Use and Availability of Groundwater, and that are Impacted by the Use
of Groundwater
5. Implement Strategies to Address Drought Conditions
6. Implement Strategies to Promote Water Conservation
7. Implement Strategies to Protect Water Quality
B. Management Goals Determined not to be applicable to the Brazos Valley
Groundwater Conservation District
1. Controlling and Preventing Subsidence
I. MISSION STATEMENT:
The Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District was created by the Texas Legislature to protect and conserve the groundwater resources of Robertson and Brazos counties through local management. The District will direct its efforts toward preventing waste, collecting data, educating people about water conservation, and preventing irreparable harm to the aquifer. The District's rules and management plan will be based on the best available science, the laws and rules in effect, and the area's needs.
II. TIME PERIOD FOR THIS PLAN:
This plan becomes effective upon adoption by the BVGCD Board of Directors and subsequent certification by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). The management plan is based on a ten-year planning period, however, the plan shall be reviewed annually and may be revised at anytime to insure that it is consistent with the applicable Regional Water Plans, the State Water Plan, and additional science which may be developed. The District's Board of Directors shall re-adopt the management plan, with or without, revisions at least every five years.
III. STATEMENT OF GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
The residents of Brazos and Robertson counties rely solely on the local groundwater supplies to meet all of their drinking water needs and the majority of their agricultural and livestock needs. Therefore, the local groundwater resources are vital to the Brazos Valley's growth, health, economy, and environment. The District believes that this valuable resource can be managed in a prudent and cost effective manner through conservation, education, and regulation. The overall management goal will be to ensure a sustainable supply of water from the local groundwater resources while recognizing the need to balance the protection of rights of private landowners with the responsibility of managing the area's groundwater resources for future generations. A basic understanding of the local aquifers and their hydro-geologic properties, as well as the quantification of available water supplies, is the foundation for development of prudent management strategies. The Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer as well as the minor aquifers in the area, must be conserved and preserved for future generations, to the extent allowed by law and made possible through the development of scientific data. This management document is intended as a tool for the District to provide continuity and develop an understanding of local aquifer conditions and subsequently implement proper groundwater management policies.
The District has a responsibility to continually monitor aquifer conditions. As conditions warrant, this document may be modified to best serve the district in meeting its mandated goals. At a minimum, the Board will review and re-adopt this plan every five years.
IV. DISTRICT INFORMATION -31 TAC 356.5(a)(5)(A)(B)(C)(D)
A. Creation
The Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District was originally created as a temporary District by the 76th Legislature through Senate Bill 1911. The District then operated with all of the powers granted to groundwater conservation districts by Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code, except the authority to adopt a management plan or levy an ad-valorem tax. The District was ratified by House Bill 1784 in the 77th Legislative Session in 2001, and was subsequently confirmed by the voters of both Brazos and Robertson counties in a general election held on November 5, 2002 and was granted full authorities afforded groundwater conservation districts by Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code, limited only by provisions of the District's enabling legislation.
The District was created to implement proper management techniques, at the local level to address local groundwater needs that are vital to the Brazos and Robertson counties. The District will direct its efforts toward preventing waste, collecting data, providing education about water conservation, and preventing irreparable harm to the aquifer. This plan provides a template for the District to follow that will help develop an understanding of local aquifer conditions and subsequently implement proper groundwater management policies.
B. Location and Extent
The District encompasses Brazos and Robertson counties in Central Texas. The boundaries of the District are coterminous with the counties' boundaries. The District is bordered by Falls and Limestone counties to the North; Grimes and Washington counties to the South; Madison, Leon and Grimes counties to the East; and Milam and Burleson Counties to the West. The District comprises an area of approximately 1,456 square miles or 932,000 acres.
C. Background
The District's Board of Directors consists of eight (8) members who are appointed by their respective County Commissioners Courts. Four (4) members represent Robertson County and four (4) members represent Brazos County. The Board of Directors are appointed to represent the following interests:
Robertson County
1. One must represent municipal interests in the county.
2. One must be a bona fide agricultural producer who derives a substantial
portion of his or her income from agriculture in the county.
3. One must be an employee or director of a rural water supply corporation in the county.
4. One must represent active industrial interests in the county.
Brazos County
1. One must be an employee or director of a rural water supply corporation in the county.
2. One must be a bona fide agricultural producer who derives a substantial
portion of his or her income from agriculture in the county.
3. The governing body of the City of Bryan, with the approval of the Brazos
County Commissioners Court, shall appoint one Director.
4. The governing body of the City of College Station, with the approval of the
Brazos County Commissioners Court, shall appoint one Director.
D. Authority / Regulatory Framework
In the preparation of its management plan, the District followed all procedures and satisfied all requirements of Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code and Chapter 356 of the Texas Water Development Board's rules contained in Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code. The District exercises the powers that it was granted and authorized to use by and through the special and general laws that govern it, including Chapter 1307, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, and Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code.
E. Groundwater Resources of the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District
The five significant aquifers within the District's boundaries are the Carrizo-Wilcox, Queen City, Sparta, Yegua, and Brazos River Alluvium. The Simsboro Sand is the most prolific water-yielding unit and is part of the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer. The Brazos River Alluvium located near the Brazos River is the next most prolific aquifer in the District. The Queen City, Sparta, and Yegua aquifers provide small to large pumping rates of useable groundwater to wells, as noted in Groundwater Resources of Brazos and Burleson Counties, Texas, Report 185 (Follett, 1974). A large pumping rate is defined as 200 gallons per minute or more. The vertical sequence of the geologic units in descending order is listed in Figure 1. The Carrizo-Wilcox (Simsboro Sand) and Sparta aquifers provide water for large capacity public supply wells. Water from the Yegua aquifer is used for domestic, stock, small irrigation, limited industrial pumping and some minor retail public water supply use. Brazos River Alluvium wells are used mostly for irrigation purposes. The outcrop of the Gulf Coast aquifer occurs in the very southern part of the District and the aquifer provides a small amount of water to wells.
The principle fresh-water aquifers consist of sandy fluvial and deltaic sediments, while marine silts and clays act as aquitards and separate the water-yielding zones. The Wilcox Group, from the shallowest to the deepest, consists of the Calvert Bluff Formation, Simsboro Sand, and Hooper Formation. No fresh water aquifers are located below the Midway, which is a thick impermeable clay located at the base of the Hooper Formation. The Calvert Bluff Formation is comprised of clay, sandy clay, shale, silt, and sand. The Simsboro Sand is generally composed of sand while the Hooper Formation is made up of sand, silt, clay, and shale. The Simsboro Sand is older in age than the Carrizo, Queen City, Sparta, and Yegua formations. The Carrizo Sand and Queen City Sand are separated by the Reklaw Formation, which is a clay zone. The Cook Mountain Formation is composed of mostly clay and separates the Sparta Sand and Yegua formations. The Catahoula Sandstone or Catahoula Formation of the Gulf Coast aquifer is composed of clay and sand in cross-bedded lenses. The Brazos River Alluvium can be found in a two to six mile wide zone of floodplain alluvial deposits located along the Brazos River on the western boundary of the District. Sand, small gravel, and clay compose the relatively thin Brazos River Alluvium. Figure 2 illustrates a geologic cross section through Brazos and Robertson Counties and depicts the position, depth, thickness and dip of the aquifers and confining units.
The Carrizo-Wilcox, Queen City, Sparta, and Yegua aquifers outcrop within the District's boundaries in northeast to southwest trending belts that parallel the Gulf coastline. An aquifer outcrop map is included for Brazos and Robertson Counties in Figure 3. The aquifer outcrops extend outside of the two counties shown on the map.
Younger formations outcrop closest to the coast and older formations outcrop progressively further inland with increased age of the formations. The Catahoula Sandstone, which is the basal sand of the Gulf Coast aquifer, occurs in a very limited area in the southern tip of Brazos County.
The general trend of the aquifers, with exception of the Brazos River Alluvium, is to dip underground southeastward towards the Gulf Coast from their surface exposure. The formations dip at a maximum rate of about 110 feet per mile. Each formation underlies younger formations that have a similar dip toward the coast. A salt dome occurs in the southern part of Brazos County. The top of the salt dome has an elevation of about - 4,600 feet relative to sea level. The thickness and position of the Simsboro Sand is influenced by the salt dome, but the dome occurs significantly down dip of the area where the Simsboro Sand contains usable quality groundwater.
Topography and Drainage
Natural topography in Brazos and Robertson counties range from gently hilly terrain in the center of the counties to relatively flat terrain along the Brazos and Navasota River corridors. The southwest border of the counties is the Brazos River and the eastern border is the Navasota River. The land surface elevation above sea level for Brazos and Robertson counties is shown on Figure 4. Altitudes in the District range from about 140 feet to 550 feet above mean sea level, with higher elevations in the center of the counties.
Numerous creeks drain runoff into the Brazos River west of the surface water drainage divide and into the Navasota River to the east of the surface water drainage divide. At the southern most tip of Brazos County, the Navasota River merges with the Brazos River. Drainages include Carters Creek, Cedar Creek, Duck Creek, Mud Creek, Peach Creek, Pin Oak Creek, Spring Creek, Thompson Creek, Walnut Creek, Wickson Creek, and the Little Brazos River. The Little Brazos River drains Walnut Creek, Mud Creek, Pin Oak Creek, and Spring Creek into the Brazos River.
Carters Creek has a stream gradient of about 10 feet per mile towards the Navasota River from its origin in central Brazos County. Cedar Creek drains from central Robertson County through Brazos County to the Navasota River and has a stream gradient of about 9 feet per mile. Duck Creek has a stream gradient of about 7 feet per mile and drains northeast Robertson County into the Navasota River. Mud Creek drains central Robertson County into the Little Brazos River and has a stream gradient of about 10 feet per mile. Peach Creek has a stream gradient of about 12 feet per mile and drains southern Brazos County into the Navasota River. Pin Oak Creek drains southern Robertson County into the Little Brazos River and has a stream gradient of about 22 feet per mile. Spring Creek has a stream gradient of about 17 feet per mile and drains southern Robertson County into the Little Brazos River. Thompson Creek drains northwest Brazos County into the Brazos River and has a stream gradient of about 11 feet per mile. Walnut Creek has a stream gradient of about 7 feet per mile and drains northwestern Robertson County into the Little Brazos River. Wickson Creek drains central Brazos County into the Navasota River and has a stream gradient of about 8 feet per mile.
F. Surface Water Resources of Brazos and Robertson Counties
Surface water is currently allocated by the TCEQ for the use and benefit of all people of the state. Anyone seeking a new water right must submit an application to the TCEQ. The TCEQ then determines whether or not the permit will be issued and the permit conditions. The water right grants a certain quantity of water to be diverted and/or stored, a priority date, and other conditions, which may include a maximum diversion rate and instream flow restrictions to protect existing water rights and environmental concerns.
The Brazos River Authority (BRA) is the largest water right holder within the District, holding most of the rights to the water within the Brazos River Basin, including the water in Lake Limestone in Northeast Robertson County. There are several smaller water rights within the District consisting primarily of small irrigation rights along the rivers. The BRA contracts raw water to various entities for long and short-term supplies for municipal, industrial, and irrigation uses.
Surface water supplies within the District's boundaries are limited and include the Brazos River, comprising the Western boundary of the District and the Navasota River along the Eastern boundary of the District. The majority of the water in these two rivers is permitted to the Brazos River Authority (BRA) and is available only through contract with the BRA. Currently, only a small portion of the water within these rivers is available.
G. Estimate of Total Usable Amount of Groundwater in the District
There are two major aquifers within the District, based on Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) data, which include the Carrizo-Wilcox and the Gulf Coast aquifers. There also are four minor aquifers that include the Brazos River Alluvium, Queen City, Sparta and Yegua. The Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer exists in the subsurface over a large part of the District and the Gulf Coast aquifer occurs at shallow depths only over the very southern end of the District. In that area, the Catahoula Sandstone of the Gulf Coast aquifer outcrops and is in the subsurface and is a minor source of water.
Table 1 below shows the estimated amounts of usable water available from the aquifers in the District.
Table 1 - Estimated Available Usable Water
| Estimated Groundwater Availability, ac-ft/yr | ||
| Aquifer | Brazos County | Robertson County |
| Brazos River Alluvium | 12,500 1 | 13,000 |
| Carrizo | 3,000 2 | 5,000 2 |
| Wilcox (Simsboro) | 43,450 2 | 41,450 2 |
| Queen City | 645 1 | 440 1 |
| Sparta | 3,500 | 616 1 |
| Yegua | 1,100 | 0 |
| Gulf Coast | 1,177 1 | 0 |
1 Estimate from Region G Planning Study 2001
2 Total estimate for Carrizo and Wilcox aquifers from Region G Planning Study 2001
Brazos River Alluvium
The Brazos River alluvium has provided water for decades, principally to irrigation wells located in the flood plain of the Brazos River. Groundwater pumping from the Brazos River alluvium in Robertson County has ranged from about 6,300 ac-ft/yr in 1993 to about 18,000 ac-ft/yr in 1996, a year with significantly below normal precipitation. Pumpage from the Brazos River alluvium in Robertson County over the past approximately 20 years, based on data available from the TWDB has averaged about 13,000 ac-ft/yr. Significant static water-level decline in wells screening the Brazos River alluvium has not been noted during that time period. It is estimated that the availability of water from the Brazos River alluvium is at least about 13,000 ac-ft/yr in Robertson County and approximately 12,500 ac-ft/yr in Brazos County.
Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer
The estimate of the combined quantity of water available from the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer is from the Region G planning study of 2001 and represents an initial estimate of overall availability in Brazos and Robertson counties. The Simsboro Sand of the Wilcox aquifer provides the vast majority of water available from the Wilcox aquifer. In Brazos County, the Carrizo aquifer is utilized to a very limited degree because the mineralization of the water increases south of the boundary between Brazos and Robertson counties. Additional data and study are needed to improve the estimate of the amount of ground water available from the Carrizo aquifer. It is estimated that there could be about 5,000 acre-feet per year (ac-ft/yr) of water available from the Carrizo aquifer in Robertson County in the area down dip of the aquifer outcrop shown on Figure 3.
Queen City Aquifer
The Queen City aquifer crops out at land surface in the central part of Robertson County as shown in Figure 3. It is a potential source of water in the areas down dip from outcrop. It is estimated that the quantity of water available from the aquifer is about 645 ac-ft/yr in Brazos County and about 440 ac-ft/yr in Robertson County. The Texas Water Development Board is funding a project to develop a groundwater availability model (GAM) for the Queen City and Sparta aquifers. Information from that modeling effort along with other data that is developed by the District or through cooperative studies, will be used to refine or revise the estimate of the usable amount of groundwater available from the Queen City aquifer.
Sparta Aquifer
The amount of usable groundwater from the Sparta aquifer is estimated at about 3,500 ac-ft/yr in Brazos County. For approximately the past 10 years, pumping from the aquifer has averaged about 2,300 ac-ft/yr with groundwater quality remaining good, the yields of wells being sustained, and available drawdown remaining in wells through the years. The estimate of availability of usable quality water for the Sparta aquifer in Robertson County is about 616 ac-ft/yr, according to Region G Planning Study of 2001. Additional data will be collected to refine the estimate of availability as the District expands its aquifer monitoring program. Also the Queen City and Sparta aquifer GAM under development and being funded by the TWDB, will be another tool used by the District as it continues to evaluate the groundwater availability in its area.
Yegua Aquifer
This minor aquifer is an important source of water in Brazos County in the area essentially south and southeast of State Highway 21. The aquifer is utilized mainly by domestic and stock wells and also provides some water for irrigation. The estimated amount of usable groundwater available from the Yegua aquifer is approximately 1,100 ac-ft/yr. The estimate of availability will be revised as additional data is collected regarding pumpage and aquifer response to pumpage.
Gulf Coast Aquifer
The Gulf Coast aquifer outcrop occurs in the very south part of Brazos County. The estimate of availability of about 1,177 ac-ft/yr is from the Region G Planning Study of 2001 and from estimates developed previously by the TWDB. The aquifer in the very south part of the District is capable of providing small quantities of water to wells.
In summary, the estimates of the amount of usable groundwater available are based on previous studies, Carrizo Wilcox GAM runs, and on the past response of the aquifers to pumpage. The District will continue to assess the amount of usable groundwater available and the assessment will aid in the long-term management of the water resources available within the District.
H. Current Annual Water Use
The annual groundwater use within the District is currently estimated at 75,129 acre-feet. This data was developed as part of the Brazos G Regional Planning Study, 2006. The estimated usage for each water user group is shown in Table 2 below.
Table 2 - Current Annual Groundwater Use
| Water User Group | Use in Acre-feet per year | Source Aquifer |
| Retail Public Supplies | 33,129 | Carrizo-Wilcox/Sparta/ Yegua |
| Manufacturing | 309 | Carrizo-Wilcox / Sparta |
| Steam-Electric | 15,545 | Carrizo-Wilcox |
| Mining | 116 | Carrizo-Wilcox |
| Irrigation | 23,490 | Carrizo-Wilcox / Brazos Alluvium |
| Livestock | 2,540 | Carrizo-Wilcox / Sparta / Yequa / Brazos Alluvium |
I. Projected Water Demand within the District
The Brazos G Regional Water Planning Group (BGRWPG) has projected that the total water demands for the District will be 118,892 acre-feet, by the year 2060. This number includes use from all of the available groundwater sources within the District.
Table 3 below shows the current and projected water demands by user group within each county in the District through the year 2060. As indicated in the Regional water plan, these projections take into account population growth, rainfall, and conservation measures to be taken by each user group.
Table 3 - Projected Water Demand
J. Projected Water Management Strategies to Meet Future Supply Needs
The demand and supply data developed as part of the Region G planning process indicate that shortages experienced within the District over the 50 year planning period will be a result of the lack of infrastructure, rather than supply. (See table 4 below.) It is, therefore, anticipated that these shortages will be resolved by further development of the groundwater resources within the District. While there seems to be sufficient water resources today to meet the 50-year planning horizon, large scale water development projects, both within the District and neighboring Districts could significantly alter the available water supplies. Hydro-geological studies indicate that as groundwater production approaches the current water availability figures adopted by the Region G Regional Water Plan, a few older production wells in the Simsboro aquifer may need to be replaced due to declining water levels and limited available drawdown. Additional research and scientific data is needed to fully understand the long-term impact of large-scale production from the aquifers. As part of its long-range management strategy, the District will review changes in aquifer utilization and well water level changes to help estimate appropriate future well construction.
Table 4 - Projected Shortages
| Water User | Projected Shortages (acft/yr) | |
| Year 2030 | Year 2050 | |
| City of Bryan | 0 | (3,106) |
| City of College Station | (6,381) | (12,295) |
| City of Hearne | (67) | (290) |
Estimate from Region G Planning Study, January 2001
K. Natural or Artificial Recharge of Groundwater Resources
1. Estimate of Amount of Recharge to the Groundwater Resources within the District.
The aquifers within the District receive recharge from the infiltration of precipitation and from the infiltration of water from streams that cross the aquifer outcrops. The estimated locations of aquifer outcrops within the District are shown on Figure 3. Recharge to the aquifers within the District can occur outside the District boundaries as an aquifer outcrop extends to the north into an adjoining county or to the east and west of the District.
Estimates of recharge for the Carrizo and Simsboro aquifers have been in the range of 3 to possible 5 inches per year based on groundwater flow modeling work performed for the Region G planning effort. The Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer GAM project funded by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) also provided estimates of recharge to the Carrizo and the Simsboro aquifers. Based on the areas of the aquifer outcrops within Robertson County and an estimate of recharge of about 3 inches per year, the resulting estimate of recharge to the Simsboro aquifer is about 6400 to 8,000 acre-feet per year (ac-ft/yr) and to the Carrizo aquifer about 9,500 to 11,000 ac-ft/yr.
The Queen City aquifer is composed of fine-grained sands with interbedded clay. The outcrop area also can contain alternating areas of sands and other areas of lower permeability silt or clay. It is estimated that recharge to the Queen City aquifer within the District is at least equal to the estimate of the availability of groundwater within the District of 1,085 ac-ft/yr. The Queen City aquifer crops out at land surface over about 105 square miles in Robertson County.
The Sparta aquifer is composed of quartz sand with a small amount of interbedded clay within the aquifer thickness. Recharge to the aquifer via infiltrated precipitation and stream flow is estimated to be at least as great as the availability of groundwater of about 4,116 ac-ft/yr. The estimated outcrop of the aquifer encompasses about 100 square miles. Information from the GAM being funded by the TWDB for the Queen City and Sparta aquifers will be used to help refine estimates of recharge.
The Yegua aquifer is composed of sandstone, clay, and lignite beds in some areas. The outcrop area is extensive in Brazos County as shown on Figure 3. Estimated recharge to the Yegua aquifer is at least 1,100 ac-ft/yr. Additional data will be collected and information obtained from the GAM being developed for the Queen City and Sparta aquifers to help refine the estimate of recharge to the Yegua aquifer. The aquifer or overlying fluviatile terrace deposits crop out at land surface over about 230 square miles in Brazos County.
The outcrop for the Catahoula sandstone of the Gulf Coast aquifer occurs in the very southern part of the District. In part of the outcrop area, either the Navasota River or Brazos River alluvium has covered or washed away. Most likely, some recharge to the Gulf Coast aquifer occurs via leakage from the Brazos River alluvium to the Catahoula sandstone. It is estimated that recharge to the Gulf Coast aquifer is at least as high as the estimate of availability of 1,117 ac-ft/yr.
The Brazos River alluvium, located in the area of the Brazos River flood plain encompasses about 140 square miles within Brazos and Robertson Counties. Recharge to the Brazos River alluvium is estimated to occur via infiltration of precipitation and stream flow including flow from the Little Brazos River that crosses part of the flood plain of the Brazos River alluvium. Recharge to the Brazos River alluvium is estimated to be at least 25,500 ac-ft/yr. Pumping from the alluvium for the past 20 years has not significantly lowered the water levels in wells screening the alluvium, an indication that pumpage is not exceeding the rate that water is being replenished to the aquifer.
2. How Natural or Artificial Recharge of Groundwater Within The District Might Be Increased.
Recharge enhancement may increase the amount of groundwater available from the aquifers within the District. Increasing recharge can be difficult in geologic environments that occur within the District because a large percentage of the potential recharge is rejected due to shallow water levels in the sediments of the aquifer outcrops or to the low permeability of some of the sediments in some of the aquifer outcrops. Recharge might be enhanced by the construction of rainfall runoff retention structures on ephemeral streams. Further study of the surface geology and soil characteristics in the District may result in the identification of areas with porous soils that could provide sites for enhanced recharge or test sites for recharge investigations.
V. Management of Groundwater Supplies - 31 TAC 356.5(a)(6)
Groundwater conservation districts have statutorily been designated as Texas' preferred method of groundwater management, through the rules developed, adopted, and promulgated by individual groundwater district's, as authorized by Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code and the individual district's enabling act. Texas Water Code §36.0015. The Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District may manage groundwater supplies, in part, by regulating the spacing and production of wells, in order to minimize the drawdown of the water table or the reduction of artesian pressure, to control subsidence, to prevent interference between wells, to prevent degradation of water quality, or to prevent waste. Texas Water Code § 36.116. The method of groundwater production regulation must be based on the hydrogeological conditions of the aquifers in the District. However, the District may preserve historic use. Texas Water Code §36.116(b).
The Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District, as authorized by law, has adopted the following groundwater management strategy:
1 Availability Goal
The District will adopt an initial Availability Goal for the aquifers within the District utilizing information from hydrogeological studies of the Region G Water Planning Group, the Texas Water Development Board, and the District's hydrologist.
2 Historic Use
The District will preserve historic use of groundwater in Brazos and Robertson
counties prior to the effective date of the District's Rules, when adopted.
3 Pumping Rate Limit
The District will regulate groundwater withdrawal through permitting efforts and by setting a maximum pumping rate limit of 3000 gpm / well.
4 Beneficial Use
The District will regulate groundwater withdrawal by setting production limits on wells based on evidence of beneficial use; and the District will continue to study various management methods including regulating groundwater production based on surface acreage which may become appropriate for effective management of groundwater withdrawal.
5 Well Spacing
The District will require well spacing on new water wells as follows:
a. A new well may not be drilled within 50 feet from the property line of any
adjoining landowners:
b. Spacing of new wells completed in the Simsboro formation shall be spaced
two feet per one gallon per minute of production capacity from existing wells;
and
c. Spacing of new wells completed in other formations (other than the Brazos
River Alluvium) shall be spaced two feet per one gallon per minute production
capacity from existing wells.
The District will incorporate these management strategies into its Rules and will permit wells accordingly.
VI. Methodology to Track District Progress in Achieving Management
Goals 31 TAC 356.5 (a)(6)
An annual report will be developed by the general manager and staff of the District and provided to the members of the Board of the District. The Annual Report will cover the activities of the District including information on the District's performance regarding achieving the District's management goals and objectives. The annual Report will be delivered to the Board within 120 days following the completion of the District's fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year that starts on January 1, 2005. A copy of the Annual Report will be kept on file and available for public inspection at the District's offices upon adoption.
VII. Actions, Procedures, Performance, and Avoidance for District Implementation of Management Plan 31 TAC 356.5 (a)(4)
The District will act on the goals and directives established in this management plan. The District will use the objectives and provisions of the management plan as a guideline in its policy implementation and decision-making. In both its daily operations and long term planning efforts, the District will continuously strive to comply with the initiatives and standards created by the management plan for the District.
After receiving public input, the District will adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code and all rules will be followed and enforced. The District may amend the District rules as necessary to comply with changes to Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code and to insure the best management of the groundwater within the District. The development and enforcement of the rules of the District will be based on the best scientific and technical evidence available to the District.
The District will encourage public cooperation and coordination in the implementation of the management plan for the District. All operations and activities of the District will be performed in a manner that best encourages cooperation with the appropriate state, regional or local water entity. The meetings of the Board of the District will be noticed and conducted at all times in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. The District will also make available for public inspection all official documents, reports, records and minutes of the District pursuant with the Texas Public Information Act.
VIII. Management Goals and Objectives 31 TAC 356.5(a)(1)
Unless indicated otherwise, performance on goals will be measured annually. The plan will be subject to review at least every five years and modification will be made as appropriate Information describing the programs, policies, and actions taken by the District to meet the goals and objectives established by the District will be included in the annual report prepared by the General Manager and presented to the Board of Directors.
A. Management Goals:
1. Implement Strategies Providing For the Most Efficient Use of Groundwater:
1a. Objective - Require all existing and new non-exempt wells constructed within the boundaries of the District to be permitted by the District and operated in accordance with District Rules. In addition, the District will encourage all exempt wells constructed within the District boundaries to be registered with the District.
Performance Standard - The number of exempt and permitted wells registered within the District will be reported annually in the District's Annual Report submitted to the Board of Directors of the District.
1b. Objective - Regulate the production of groundwater by permitting wells within the District's boundaries based on beneficial use and in accordance with District Rules.
Performance Standard - Each year the District will accept and process applications for the permitted use of groundwater in the District, in accordance with the permitting process established by District Rules. The number and type of applications made for the permitted use of groundwater in the District, the number and type of permits issued by the District, and the amount of groundwater permitted, will be included in the Annual Report given to the Board of Directors.
1c. Objective - Conduct an investigation to evaluate the aquifers underlying the District and the current groundwater production within the District, and then determine the available groundwater that can be produced from each aquifer within the District on an annual basis. Using this data, the District will establish availability goals and will permit wells in accordance with the appropriate production goals.
Performance Standard - The District will conduct the appropriate studies to identify the issues and criteria needed to address groundwater management needs within the District's boundaries. Groundwater availability goals will be consistent with the Region G Regional Water Plan and based on research of the hydro-geologic and geographic characteristics of the aquifers, which may include, but not necessarily be limited to, the amount of water use, water quality, and water level decline. Initial studies will be conducted by July 1, 2005, and additional studies will be conducted in future years as necessary.
Performance Standard - A progress report on the work of the District regarding the conduct of appropriate groundwater availability studies will be included in the Annual Report of the District each year, as appropriate.
2. Implement Strategies to Control and Prevent Waste of Groundwater:
2.a Objective - Apply a water use fee to the permitted use of groundwater in the
District to encourage conservation-oriented use of the groundwater resources
to eliminate or reduce waste.
Performance Standard - Each year the District will apply a water use fee to the non-exempt permitted use of groundwater produced within the District pursuant to District rules. The amount of fees generated and the amount of water produced for each type of permitted use will be a part of the Annual Report presented to the District Board of Directors.
2b. Objective - Evaluate District rules annually to determine whether any amendments are necessary to decrease the amount of waste within the District.
Performance Standard - The District will include a discussion of the annual evaluation of the District rules, and the determination of whether any amendments to the rules are necessary to prevent the waste of groundwater in the Annual Report of the District provided to the Board of Directors.
2c. Objective - Provide information to the public and the schools within the District on the wise use of water to eliminate and reduce wasteful practices.
Performance Standard - The District will include a page on the Districts web-site devoted to the wise use of water and providing tips to help eliminate and reduce wasteful use of groundwater. The District will provide information to local school Districts including providing book covers to encourage wise use of water.
2d. Objective - Adopt acceptable water availability goal utilizing information develop by the Region G, Regional Water Plan, the Texas Water Development Board and the District's hydrologist.
Performance Standard - Using the state's Groundwater Availability Model (GAM) and additional science developed by the District to determine impact on existing wells develop an acceptable initial groundwater availability goal. Permit wells based on beneficial use and subject to availability as determined in the availability goal.
3. Implement Strategies to Address Conjunctive Surface Water Management Issues:
3a. Objective - Encourage the use of surface water supplies where available, to meet the needs of specific user groups within the District.
Performance Standard - The District will participate in the Region G - Regional Water Planning process and encourage the development of surface water supplies where appropriate. This activity will be noted in the Annual Report presented to the District Board of Directors.
4. Implement Strategies to Address natural resource issues which impact the use and availability of groundwater, and which are impacted by the use of groundwater
4a. Objective - Determine if there are any natural spring flows within the District that may be impacted by increased groundwater pumping.
Performance Standard - Monitor water levels near natural spring flows for
potential impact from groundwater production. Prepare an annual assessment
statement and include in annual report to the District Board of Directors.
5. Implement Strategies to Address Drought Conditions:
5a. Objective - Use the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) map to monitor drought
conditions and notify permit holders of severe drought conditions.
Performance Standard - The District will monitor the Palmer Drought Severity
Index (PDSI) maps at least monthly and will notify existing water producers of any
severe or expected severe drought conditions. The District will make an
assessment of drought conditions in the District and will prepare and annual
briefing to the Board of Directors.
5b. Objective - Require all water producers, that are required by the state of
Texas to have drought contingency plans, to submit those plans to the District
when applying for a permit for well production from the District.
Performance Standard - Review all drought contingency plans submitted as a result of
permit requirements whenever a severe drought condition is reached as determined by the
PDSI.
5c. Objective - Develop a District drought contingency plan.
Performance Standard - Complete the District drought contingency plan by January 2006.
6. Implement Strategies to Promote Water Conservation:
6a. Objective - Require all water producers requesting a permit for water production
within the District to submit a water conservation plan at the time of permit application.
Performance Standard - Review all water conservation plans submitted
as a result of permit requirements to ensure compliance with permit conditions.
6b. Objective - Develop a system for measurement and evaluation of groundwater supplies.
Performance Standard - Water level monitoring wells will be identified for each
aquifer and will be monitored annually to track changes in static water levels.
Baseline water levels and a water level monitoring program will be
developed by January 2005.
6c. Objective - Assist in obtaining grant funds for the implementation of water conservation
methods.
Performance Standard - Work with the appropriate state and federal agencies
to facilitate bringing grant funds to various groups within the District boundaries to
develop and implement water conservation methods.
7. Implement Strategies to Protect Water Quality:
7a. Objective - Develop baseline water quality data and a system for continued evaluation of groundwater quality.
Performance Standard - Water quality samples will be obtained from wells and will be
evaluated on an annual basis to track water quality changes in water supplies. Baseline
water quality data will be developed by January 2007.
7b. Objective - Require all water producers that are required by the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality to have well vulnerability studies prior to
constructing a well, to provide evidence of the study to the District prior to construction of a
well within the District.
Performance Standard - Review all vulnerability studies submitted as a result of permit
requirements to help ensure water quality protection.
7c. Objective - Provide information to the public and the schools within the District on the
importance of protecting water quality.
Performance Standard - The District will include a page on the Districts
web-site devoted to water quality issues and will provide information to
water producers on wellhead protection programs.
B. Management Goals determined not to be applicable to the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District.
1. Controlling and preventing Subsidence:
The geologic formation of the aquifers within the District precludes significant subsidence from occurring due to groundwater pumping.
Permit Applications
