What Aquifers Are In Texas?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  • Pecos Valley.
  • Seymour.
  • Gulf Coast.
  • Carrizo-Wilcox.
  • Hueco-Mesilla Bolsons.
  • Ogallala.
  • Edwards-Trinity (Plateau)
  • Edwards (Balcones Fault Zone)

Are there any aquifers in Texas?

Texas has

numerous aquifers

capable of producing groundwater for households, municipalities, industry, farms, and ranches.

What major aquifer is in Texas?


The Ogallala aquifer

extends through 48 counties of the Texas Panhandle and is the southernmost extension of the largest aquifer (High Plains aquifer) in North America.

Where is aquifer found in Texas?

The Edwards Aquifer is one of the most prolific artesian aquifers in the world. Located

on the eastern edge of the Edwards Plateau

in the U.S. state of Texas, it is the source of drinking water for two million people, and is the primary water supply for agriculture and industry in the aquifer’s region.

What is the biggest aquifer in Texas?


Ogallala Aquifer

interactive map

The Ogallala Aquifer is the largest aquifer in the United States and is a major aquifer of Texas underlying much of the High Plains region.

Is Texas going to run out of water?

In 2020, Texas faces a

potential water shortage of 4.8 million acre-feet

in a drought of record. In 2070, that number grows by approximately 87 percent to 8.9 million acre-feet (Table 7.1). These needs vary considerably by water use category (Figure 7.1).

What are the 2 largest aquifers in Texas?

  • Pecos Valley.
  • Seymour.
  • Gulf Coast.
  • Carrizo-Wilcox.
  • Hueco-Mesilla Bolsons.
  • Ogallala.
  • Edwards-Trinity (Plateau)
  • Edwards (Balcones Fault Zone)

What are the three aquifers in Texas?

The major aquifers in Texas include the

Ogalalla aquifer, the Gulf Coast aquifer, the Edwards aquifer, Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer, Edwards-Trinity (Plateau) aquifer, the Seymour aquifer, the Hueco-Mesilla Bolson, and the Cenozoic Pecos aquifer

.

How deep are the aquifers in Texas?

The aquifer is hydraulically connected to overlying alluvium along the Red River. The thickness of the aquifer ranges from a few feet in outcrop areas to about 700 feet near the downdip limit of slightly saline water in Fannin County. Maximum depth to the top of the aquifer is

about 2,000 feet below land surface

.

Which state has the most aquifers?


Mississippi

84%
California 67% Hawaii 63% Nebraska 59% Florida 63%

Does anything live in aquifers?


Stygofauna

are any fauna that live in groundwater systems or aquifers, such as caves, fissures and vugs. … Stygofauna can live within freshwater aquifers and within the pore spaces of limestone, calcrete or laterite, whilst larger animals can be found in cave waters and wells.

What is the largest aquifer in the world?

Groundwater aquifers can be truly huge. The world’s largest aquifer is

the Great Artesian Basin in Australia

. It covers 1.7 million square kilometres, equivalent to about a quarter of the entire country and 7 times the area of the UK. The Great Artesian Basin is also the deepest aquifer in the world.

How deep is the Trinity aquifer in Texas?

The Edwards-Trinity Aquifer underlies 30 counties of the Texas Edwards Plateau and extends

over 500 feet deep

(Fig. 1). Many Texas landowners and cities depend on this high-quality, usually abundant source of groundwater.

What aquifer is Katy Texas a part of?

City officials commissioned an environmental study from hydrogeologist William Hutchinson prior to permit acquisition and construction of the well. The city of Katy is a part of

the Bluebonnet Groundwater Conservation District

and as such must follow specific BGCD mandates before gaining approval for construction.

What would happen if all the aquifers in Texas dried up?

In some places, the groundwater is already gone. This is the breadbasket of America—the region that supplies at least one fifth of the total annual U.S. agricultural harvest. If the aquifer goes dry,

more than $20 billion worth of food and fiber will vanish from the world’s markets

.

Where does Texas get their water from?

More than half of all municipal water in Texas comes from

underground water

. The largest single use of underground water in Texas is for irrigation. In 1990, 6 million acres in Texas was irrigated, and about 70 percent of all irrigation water came from underground sources.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.