Last month, Groundwater Management Area (GMA) 1 & 2 representatives adopted proposed Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) for the Ogallala and Dockum Aquifers in their respective joint water planning areas.

The majority of High Plains Water District (HPWD) is in GMA 2, while the portions of the District in Armstrong, Potter, and Randall Counties are within GMA 1.

GMA 1 DFCs FOR OGALLALA AQUIFER:

• At least 40 percent of volume in storage remaining for each 50-year period between 2018 and 2080 in Dallam, Hartley, Moore, and Sherman Counties;

• At least 50 percent of volume in storage remaining for each 50-year period between 2018 and 2080 in Hansford, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Ochiltree, Carson, Donley, Gray, Roberts, Wheeler, and Oldham Counties; and within the Panhandle District portions of Armstrong and Potter Counties;

• At least 80 percent of volume in storage remaining for each 50-year period between 2018 and 2080 in Hemphill County; and

• Approximately 20 feet of total average drawdown for each 50-year period between 2012 and 2080 in Randall County and within High Plains District in Armstrong and in Potter Counties.

GMA 1 DFCs FOR DOCKUM AQUIFER:

• At least 40 percent of the average available drawdown remaining for each 50-year period between 2018 and 2080 for Dallam, Hartley, Moore, and Sherman Counties

• No more than 30 feet average decline in water levels for each 50-year period between 2018 and 2080 in Oldham and Carson Counties and the Panhandle District portions of Potter and Armstrong Counties; and

• Approximately 40 feet average decline in water levels for each 50-year period between 2012 and 2080 in Randall County and within High Plains District in Armstrong and Potter Counties.

GMA 2 DFC FOR OGALLALA AQUIFER:

• A GMA 2-wide average drawdown of 28 feet between 2013 and 2080 for the Ogallala and Edwards-Trinity (High Plains) Aquifers.

GMA 2 DFC FOR DOCKUM AQUIFER:

• A GMA 2-wide average drawdown of 31 feet between 2013 and 2080 for the Dockum Aquifer.

A minimum 90-day public comment period is now in progress (March 25-June 23, 2021). It will include a public hearing conducted by each groundwater conservation district within the two management areas. The date for the HPWD public hearing is yet to be determined.

Draft explanatory reports for proposed DFCs are available below:

GMA 1: www.panhandlewater.org/gma-1/joint-planning-process

GMA 2: Click here for the report.

Print copies of the respective reports are also available for viewing at the following GMA administrative agencies:

GMA 1: Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, 415 SW 8th Avenue, Amarillo, TX 79101.

GMA 2: High Plains Underground Water Conservation District, 2930 Avenue Q, Lubbock, TX 79411.

The process of adopting a DFC was established by the Texas Legislature in 2005, and requires groundwater conservation districts to establish DFCs for relevant aquifers at least once every five years. This is the third time that groundwater conservation districts have established DFCs.