High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1 (HPWD) staff members will begin annual water level measurements on January 2, 2024.  These annual observations are one of the most essential services HPWD provides. 

These annual measurements are made in a network of approximately 1,400 privately owned wells. These observation wells are spaced at a density of approximately one well per nine square miles throughout the 16-county HPWD service area. Quite a few of the observation wells have been part of this annual program for many years and have a long history of data collection. These observation sites have a blue sticker placed near the wellhead, showing the year of measurement and the current water level.

"We want to let the public know that our staff will be visiting observation well sites from early January until the completion of this work effort, normally mid-March.  They will be driving white pickup trucks that are clearly identified as High Plains Water District vehicles," said Field Technician Supervisor Billy Barron.

Measurements are beginning in Castro, Deaf Smith, and Parmer Counties. When these counties are completed, the preliminary data should be available on the district website (hpwd.org). All final results are also published on the HPWD interactive map at map.hpwd.org. "Since 2013, the interactive map has been a highly-utilized method of obtaining depth-to-water and saturated thickness information," said HPWD General Manager Jason Coleman.

Created in 1951 by residents and the Texas Legislature, the High Plains Water District works to conserve, preserve, protect, and prevent waste of underground water in aquifers within its 16-county service area. HPWD is the first groundwater conservation district created in Texas.