hb```a``c`e`fb@ !+s\ddX{DJG3^pq~HIq @ZHHt40Ttt4D - reduce groundwater withdrawals in Harris and Galveston Counties. Houston-Galveston area in order to develop a regional depiction of groundwater levels. Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District, Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District. Harris County MUD 501 purchases its water supply from Harris County Municipal Utility District 500, which purchases surface water from the Authority. Land subsidence occurs when large amounts of groundwater have been excessively withdrawn from an aquifer. The University of Houston processes the GPS data. This report, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, City of Houston, Fort Bend Subsidence District, Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District, and Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District, is one in an annual series of reports depicting water-level altitudes and water . Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gtXuURxS. sOsOg_oW uMfM "F6H1#]Q]9gv3] m ]:U3*~=lrz&/tU=j4VRi/Y?Qk#mLiQ&~9zOo,6L#?~"|HJ@uF~[L iaG,):LUCB$\zB+B=zT& During todays Board Meeting, Rosa Alvarez, Susan Baird, Sarah Benavides, Steve Gillett, Katherine Mears, and Don Johnson were reappointed and took their Oath of Office. The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (District) is a special purpose district created by the Texas Legislature in 1975. % Harris-Galveston Subsidence Districts main mechanism of regulation is through its regulatory plan, with requirements laid out in the districts enabling legislation. The Subsidence District has adopted regulations requiring reduction of groundwater withdrawals through conversion to alternate source water (e.g., surface water) in certain areas within the . In order to evaluate the performance of the projection methodology which informed the 2013 DRP, the short-term projections from the RGUP have been evaluated against recent estimates of population and water demand from multiple sources at various geographic scales. HGSD lies within the boundaries of Groundwater Management Area 14 (GMA 14). HGSD is governed by a board composed of 19 directors appointed by mayors and entities withing HGSD boundaries. This site is a publicly available, searchable, online database of water information. Water, For persons with questions or needing help regarding website accessibility, or to request the provided information in alternative formats, please call (713) 860-6400 or send an email to, Harris County Municipal Utility District 501, 10000 Towne Lake Parkway, Cypress, Texas 77433. Since it is not a GCD, HGSD participates in the activities of GMA 14 as an inter-local participant. Providing analysis of accurate and up to date predictions on water usage; the enforcement of real disincentives to those who rely too heavily on groundwater; and an unwavering commitment to practicing and promoting water conservation. In collaboration with Galveston Bay Foundation and Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service, HGSD . endstream endobj 190 0 obj <>stream HGSD Financial Information including Budgets, Annual Audits, and Financial Reports. The Fort Bend Subsidence District was created by the Texas Legislature in 1989 as a conservation and reclamation district (Act of May 26, 1989, 71st Leg., R.S., ch. However, there is another cause of subsidence in our area which causes the activation of surface faults (which can damage roads, houses, and buildings), loss of wetlands and . Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District . The U.S. Geological Survey prepared this dataset in cooperation with the HarrisGalveston Subsidence District, City of Houston, Fort Bend Subsidence District, and Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District. The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD) is a special purpose district created by the Texas Legislature in 1975. =*-SRIbI -|tdAl` Q ka+dzLp[fAh/tGp7=>>q[y,Nz Ma The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District is a special purpose district created by the Texas Legislature in 1975. Harris-Galveston Subsidence District Joins the Winners' Circle. hbbd```b``NA$EHD]c@$wX2$'u1fHY b Damages roadways, bridges, building foundations, and other infrastructure. The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, created in 1975, was the first of these districts. As a result of Senate Bill 1336 in the 84th Legislature, the Edwards Aquifer Authority is no longer required to submit management plans to the TWDB. 8X>F|9L'a{:Vh41tX p`;WDWjxWu{F$I8x}C/rQA6VT\=#_ 68q RJGE0KWp|nxDrQnvc#|Wl Zi4dg9H#qU@xz?$' x[k gH x$C8c:Bes9$_(Rs]j~4KNSB@-. This study provides a basis for future research on subsidence in the Districts area and can inform water managers and planners in the Houston area on the availability of brackish groundwater resources. The Subsidence District has adopted regulations requiring reduction of groundwater withdrawals through conversion to alternate source water (e.g., surface water) in certain areas within the Subsidence Districts jurisdiction, including the land within Harris County MUD 501. In addition, they involve local communities by education and outreach programs to underscore the importance of water conservation, such as publishing an interactive viewer with GPS land subsidence monitoring stations (shown below). Grant opportunities to implement projects that help reduce water use in the HGSD Regulatory Areas. Copyright 2023 The Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts. Alters the flow of creeks and bayous which may increase the frequency and severity of flooding. This button displays the currently selected search type. The district implemented their first groundwater regulatory plan in 1976. Land Subsidence. %N_yuJlv\DxD"`UIci+QV8F,P"iRNd[U]4#8T&2m4=oCgq! below the land surface due to groundwater withdrawals. We look forward to each Directors contribution to the HGSDs Board. These efforts have identified and . SMU is developing subsidence maps from 1992 to 2023 by integrating data obtained from multi-temporal Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), a remote sensing technique using data collected from orbiting satellites, to quantitatively evaluate subsidence over specific periods of time across the region. Bend County Subsidence District, Lone Conventional Measurement Method, Borehole Extensometers, GPS, and Measuring Subsidence in the Future. HGSD has the goal of reducing the area to 20% reliance on groundwater by 2035 and managing water to promote . users to view annual water-level altitudes, water-level changes over time, and historical time series of 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 Program collects, processes, and interprets groundwater-level . subarea, and area B. For keyboard navigation: First, use Arrow Keys to navigate up and down the districts. Overview of Science and Research conducted by the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, The strategic direction for science and research conducted at the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District. In the event of an emergency, please dial 9-1-1. each regional water-level altitude map. region since the early 1900s. Evaluation of projected population and future water demands, Development of subsidence models to simulate future subsidence based on projected water demands, Measurement of annual water-level to show the impact of conversion requirements on the water-level in the aquifer, Assessment of alternative water supplies including brackish groundwater use and aquifer storage and recovery. The goal was to keep the region elevated by developing ways to reduce groundwater consumption.. Subsidence can be an important issue in certain areas such as the Gulf Coast region. Harris-Galveston Subsidence District wishes you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday season! Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, the Get regular updates on Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District. If you would like to find out more about their strategies and available data, please visit: https://hgsubsidence.org/, 2022 Annual Pumpage Reports are due on January 31, 2023. The District has taken a reasonable approach to groundwater regulation in order to minimize subsidence within its regulatory areas. J.M:xo[q]omJdI Wf@M|$ot-MB@V5J SDh!!FwTtd\#\v?T{DJo"DfTFaF.%I\J'3@$;k 8f The Authority has developed a groundwater reduction plan (GRP) and obtained Subsidence District approval of its GRP. While some of the duties and goals are similar to those of groundwater conservation districts, Harris-Galveston . Since 1836, groundwater withdrawals have caused about 3,200 square miles of the Houston-Galveston area to subside (or sink) more than a foot, with some areas subsiding as much as 12 to 13 feet. 2017 Annual Groundwater Report Final Approved (Revised 2.0). . Chicot-Evangeline (undifferentiated) and Jasper, which are composed of laterally discontinuous deposits SMU is developing subsidence maps from 1992 to 2023 by integrating data obtained from multi-temporal Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), a remote sensing technique using data collected from orbiting satellites, to quantitatively evaluate subsidence over specific periods of time across the region. Lone Star GCD is working with the Subsidence District to make the newer stations available online. <> While some of the duties and goals are similar to those of groundwater conservation districts, Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD) is not governed by Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code. This effort has published aquifer levels and subsidence data since 1975 and is a great example of what can be accomplished through sustained collaboration between, city, county, regional, and federal partners. `c331vf2~+kRbs "cX1K3H3200 iy@Se! g= The variables to be explored include: Since the District was created in 1975, our focus has been on preventing subsidence through reasonable regulation of groundwater use, says Mike Turco, General Manager of HGSD, our commitment to cutting-edge research and consistent investment in the highest-quality data collection, with agencies like the USGS, has provided a firm scientific basis for a successful regulatory plan. The new GULF-2023 model will be the latest product in a large body of scientific activities initiated by HGSD. Though subsidence rates are moderate in Fort Bend county, the continued heavy dependence of groundwater use may result in increased subsidence and associated impacts such as flooding and infrastructure damage. Water supply evaluation and population projections are underway. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Fort Bend Subsidence District (FBSD) revised its District Regulatory Plan (DRP) in 2013 based on population and water demand projections, which were developed as part of a Regional Groundwater Update Project (RGUP) completed in 2013. =3R{;vBbh *J2q!Ol] 5rR(T/hgb(0XY g;}HcBei3Wbhq+(MH9DX0ayqQ^\I:v@|\S$N=fV(~'|Wo+p&O%b This district was created because area . Establishes policy regarding groundwater regulation withdrawals to control subsidence. endstream endobj 191 0 obj <>stream In addition HGSD provides water conservation, education, and outreach programs to . After collecting and evaluating groundwater-level data for quality control, data are incorporated into a The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, in cooperation with the Fort Bend Subsidence District, the Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District, the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District, the University of Houston, and the Brazosport Water Authority maintains a subsidence monitoring network that is constantly evolving and requires consistent investment. historical year or as the difference in water-level altitude at each well for the water-level data Click here for more information about the Subsidence District. The results of this study confirm the potential for compaction in the Jasper aquifer and subsidence to occur from brackish groundwater development particularly in up-dip areas near where the Jas-per is being used for freshwater supply. In this chapter: (1)AA"Agricultural crop": (A)AAmeans food or fiber commodities that are grown for resale or commercial purposes and that are to be used for food, clothing, or animal feed; and In 2001, the Texas legislature created the West Harris County Regional Water Authority (the Authority) to, among other things, reduce groundwater usage in, and to provide surface water to, the western portion of Harris County and a small portion of Fort Bend County. This report, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, City of Houston, Fort Bend Subsidence District, Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District, and Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District, is one in an annual series of reports depicting water-level altitudes and water . If you are a leader with a passion for executing projects that improve our local communities, check out this opportunity! Harris County Sheriffs Office The review of the plan includes the following steps: The initial stakeholder meeting for the joint regulatory plan review will take place May 20, 2020 and future progress meetings will be scheduled periodically throughout the project. Field inspector Robert Loveland sets up GPS monitoring site P013 that delivers data on land subsidence, or the sinking of land surface, to the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, Tuesday . Explore Groundwater-Level and Compaction Data in the Chicot, Evangeline and Jasper Aquifers. You can also view water levels by visiting the Lone Star Static Well Level Monitoring Network Map. Water-level altitude, well, and compaction data have been combined in an interactive map that allows Want to learn more about how subsidence has impacted this region? 1999: Regulatory areas converted into 3 primary areas. Further information detailing the data processing and map creation for each published regional Managing how groundwater resources are used is key to controlling subsidence. 1700 North Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701TEL: 512-463-7847 / FAX: 512-475-2053, Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District, Panola County Groundwater Conservation District, Pecan Valley Groundwater Conservation District, Permian Basin Underground Water Conservation District, Pineywoods Groundwater Conservation District, Plateau Underground Water Conservation and Supply District, Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District, Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District, Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District, Real-Edwards Conservation and Reclamation District, Red River Groundwater Conservation District, Red Sands Groundwater Conservation District, Reeves County Groundwater Conservation District, Refugio Groundwater Conservation District, Rolling Plains Groundwater Conservation District, Rusk County Groundwater Conservation District, San Patricio County Groundwater Conservation District, Sandy Land Underground Water Conservation District, Santa Rita Underground Water Conservation District, Saratoga Underground Water Conservation District, South Plains Underground Water Conservation District, Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District, Southern Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, Southwestern Travis County Groundwater Conservation District, Starr County Groundwater Conservation District, Sterling County Underground Water Conservation District, Sutton County Underground Water Conservation District, Terrell County Groundwater Conservation District, Trinity Glen Rose Groundwater Conservation District, Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, Uvalde County Underground Water Conservation District, Victoria County Groundwater Conservation District, Wes-Tex Groundwater Conservation District, Wintergarden Groundwater Conservation District, 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), Permanent Rules - Effective January 1, 2019, Brackish Resources Aquifer Characterization System, Notice of Nondiscrimination and Reasonable Accommodation, Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS), Texas Water Infrastructure Coordination Committee (TWICC), District was created by Petition to the Texas State Board of Water Engineers, 1955, (formerly Martin County Underground Water Conservation District), (formerly Haskell/Knox County Underground Water Conservation District). Gen. Laws 4251). as the difference in water-level altitude at each well for the water-level data collection year and the Since the creation of the GMA, HGSD has provided information, research, and financial support to the GMA process. regional water-level change maps. Water demands were projected . This model will provide valuable information to inform the regulatory decision-making of the HGSD and FBSD. Community The District was created to provide for the regulation of groundwater withdrawal throughout Harris and Galveston counties for the purpose of preventing land subsidence, which leads to increased flooding. Contact Information; District Website; Legislation House Bill 552; Chapter 284, 64th Legislature, 1975; Application for Groundwater Certificate Replacement, and Acknowledgment of District Regulatory Requirements. A focus of these scenarios will be on the variables that minimize subsidence in the future while accounting for the availability of alternative water supplies. This report documents the impact of groundwater use on aquifer water levels and subsidence within the District and was prepared in accordance with an Inter-local Agreement between the District and the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD). endobj https://lnkd.in/g-6YkVmS For the Jasper aquifer, primarily used in Montgomery County, water levels have continued to decline with development in the area., Click here to read our blog about how it could be addressed with a new USGS subsidence mapping tool, first published water-level altitude maps, The Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District, The Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District, The Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District, Its time for a water session at the Legislature, Texas is Losing an Average of Over 50 Gallons of Water Per Connection Every Day, Key Solutions to Texas Water Woes Are Simpler Than We Think. in the Houston-Galveston region to provide for the regulation of groundwater withdrawals in areas within Click here to read our blog about how it could be addressed with a new USGS subsidence mapping tool. GULF-2023 Model Development & USGS Partnership. The model will simulate the impacts of groundwater use on aquifer water levels and land subsidence throughout the region and will be used to evaluate regulatory scenarios of interest to both subsidence districts. When we pump large amounts of water from the aquifers beneath us, we pull water out of the many layers of clay, which causes the clay to compact, lowering the elevation of the land above. This study, spawned from their original research that showed subsidence in southern Montgomery County was caused by exploitation of the Jasper aquifer, will investigate the combined effects of climate changes on coastal subsidence to enhance understanding of the deformation process. collection year and the interpolated water-level altitude of the historic year from a modeled surface. For non-emergency law enforcement matters, please contact the Harris County Sheriffs Office non-emergency line at (713) 221-6000. Harris-Galveston Subsidence District; Fort Bend Subsidence District; . It is the purpose of the HGSD Regulatory Plan to establish policy in the area of groundwater regulation, permits and enforcement. Working with surface water suppliers the HGSD controls subsidence by managing the use of groundwater resources in Harris and Galveston Counties. publication. zAG2U&8?fU@. Water-level altitude is calculated at each well by subtracting the water-level measurement (depth to Now on its fifth iteration since 1976, the plan describes the different regulatory areas throughout the district, defines groundwater withdrawal limits for each area, and provides guidelines for permitting. It has since been turned into the Baytown Nature Center. Trash Then, use either Enter or Space key to open the selected district. These sites are being cooperatively run and operated by the following agencies. City To address the issues associated with land-surface subsidence and compaction, the 64th Texas State water levels in the aquifer were declining with associated depressuring, dewatering, and compaction Water Conservation Program Coordinator, 2022 Annual Groundwater Report Public Hearing Notice, https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/%28ASCE%29SU.1943-5428.0000399. 1992: Regulatory areas redivided into 7 areas. Learn about the District's water conservation programs and tools, Get local watering recommendations based off data from the District's weather stations. She joins Harris County from the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, where she has served as Deputy General Manager for the past 3 years and oversaw the District's Regulatory Planning, Scientific Research, and Water Conservation Programs. In the Houston-Galveston region, land subsidence is caused by compaction of fine-grained aquifer sediments (silts and clays) below the land surface due to groundwater withdrawals. If the elevation of your house is only 10 feet above sea-level and you lose 10 feet of elevation because of subsidence, your house is now under water. The cumulative compaction in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers are measured at 13 extensometer stations in the 11-county area. Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD) in Texas was recognized as a WaterSense Partner of the Year for the first time for helping residents and businesses save water outdoors. On the first stop, we visited the Texas City Rainwater Pump Station, where Texas Citys Emergency Management team takes runoff rainwater from ditches in the area and pumps it into Moses Lake. geographic information system (GIS) and used for the construction of regional water-level altitude and interprets groundwater-level and aquifer-sediment-compaction data to understand the effects of The USGS has a long history of working with HGSD and other entities in the Houston region. water below land surface) from the referenced well land-surface altitude. 301 Jackson Street, Suite 639 Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District; Other Districts. adopted as an effective alternative to manual contour interpolation. Harris County MUD 501 is within the boundaries of the Harris Galveston Subsidence District (the Subsidence District) which regulates groundwater withdrawal. 2005: Established by the Texas State Legislature. The Lone Star GCD has studied the Gulf Coast Aquifer for a decade and confirmed the reports of many local water suppliers, which state that water levels in the countys aquifers have declined at an alarming rate as a result of deficit pumping. People who live in the lower lying coastal areas (i.e., lower elevations and flatter topography) have much more reason to be concerned with subsidence than those who reside further inland in areas of higher elevations with more topographic relief. Learn about the history of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District. Data were compiled and multiple hydrologic parameters were utilized to improve the understanding of the brackish resources within the study area. %%EOF Richmond, TX 77469 The development of brackish groundwater resources has become a more common water management strategy in the State of Texas. Subsidence Risk Assessment and Regulatory Considerations for the Brackish Jasper Aquifer.