Click Here to view the 2019 Annual Report

Click Here to view the 2018 Annual Report

Llano Estacado Underground
Water Conservation District

Board of Directors 

Name                                               Representing                             Term Ends
Jud Cheuvront, President                   Precinct 3                                            May 2019
Weldon Shook, Vice-President           At Large                                              May 2017
Walter Billings, Secretary                   Precinct 1                                            May 2019
Chuck Rowland, Member                   Precinct 2                                            May 2017
Rob Warren, Member                         Precinct 4                                            May 2017
                                   

Report Prepared By

Lori Barnes..........District Manager
Marie Neufeld..........Administrative Assistant
Charles George..........Field Technician

District Mission Statement

The Llano Estacado Underground Water Conservation District (the District) will develop, promote, and implement management strategies to provide for the conservation, preservation, protection, recharging, and prevention of waste of the groundwater resources, over which it has jurisdiction, for the benefit of the people that the District serves.

Introduction and Overview

SB 1, 75th Texas Legislature (1997), requires groundwater conservation districts governed by Chapter 36, Texas Water Code, to submit management plans for certification by the Texas Water Development Board.  The management plans must specifically address the following management goals as applicable:

1. Provision for the most efficient use of groundwater2.Control and prevention of the waste of groundwater

2. Control and prevention of the waste of groundwater

3. Control and prevention of subsidence

4. Conjunctive surface water management issues

5. Natural resource issues

6. Drought conditions: and

7. Conservation

The management plans must also identify the performance standards and management objectives under which each district will operate to achieve their management goals.

The current Management Plan of the District was developed during the summer of 2015.  After notice and hearing, the Board of Directors officially adopted the plan on August 13, 2015.  The plan became effective on August 13, 2015 and was certified by the Texas Water Development Board on September 15, 2015

This annual report is a review of the District’s activities for fiscal year 2015 and an evaluation of the District’s performance in meeting its goals and objectives.

Report on Attainment of Goals

Goal 1.0 -Providing the most efficient use of groundwater

Management Objective 1.01 - Water Level Monitoring
During the winter of 2015, a total of 171 wells were measured (171 Ogallala).

 Performance Standards
  1.01a – 100% of measurement wells from the previous year were again measured.
  1.01b –100% of wells had field notes written
 1.01c – 171 water level measurements entered into database
1.01d – 171 wells in network
1.01e – 0 replacement Ogallala wells added

Management Objective 1.02 – Technical Field Services
67 requests for Technical Field Services were fulfilled in 2015.  This is 17 less than the 84 request in 2014.  March was the busiest month for flow test, when 35 test were performed. 

Performance Standards
1.02a – 67 field service requests were fulfilled
1.02b – 67 test were entered in database. 

Management Objective 1.03 – Laboratory Services
The total number of lab tests performed for producers in 2015 was 8.  This is 2 less than the 10 tests run in 2014.  These requests concern the suitability of irrigation water for certain crops.

Performance Standards
1.03a – 8 lab service requests were fulfilled
1.03b – 8 records entered in database. 
1.03c – 8 results were reported to constituents. 

Management Objective 1.04 – Research and Demonstration
N/A

Management Objective 1.05 – Center Pivot Inventory
Center pivot inventory was required in 2014 by the District’s Management Plan.

Performance Standards
1.05a – N/A
1.05b – N/A
1.05c – 2113 pivots, 6 LEPA, 26 MESA, 1,125 LPIC, 816 LESA, 11 Side Row        water, and 23 Drip Type Irrigation, systems are entered in District’s database

Goal 2.0-Controlling and Preventing Waste of Groundwater

Management Objective 2.01 – Well Permitting and Completion
Since November 1999, the district has issued over 5336 permits.  The number of permits issued during 2015 was 144.  This is lower than the 318 issued in 2014.  February had the highest number of permits issued, which was 25.

Also, 165 wells were inspected during 2015 to insure proper completion and spacing.  Some of these well were from previous years.
 
Performance Standards
2.01a – 144 permits issued
2.01b – 165 well sites inspected, 83 well sites were from previous years.
2.01c – 22 well sites failed to meet completion standards

Management Objective 2.02 – Open, Deteriorated or Uncovered Wells
Open or uncovered wells are discovered in one of two ways:

1. a person reports it to the District office, or

2. District staff discovers the well during a field visit

Twenty-two, uncovered wells were discovered during District Staff field visit, during 2015.

Performance Standards
 2.02a – 22 open, uncovered wells were discovered by District staff
2.02b – District staff notify responsible party
2.02c – 5 days to make initial contact with responsible party
2.02d – 2 weeks for responsible party to complete closure of uncovered wells
2.02e – 100% have been covered

 Management Objective 2.03 – Maximum Allowable Production
  No instance of a maximum production violation were discovered this year
  Performance Standards
  2.03a – N/A
 2.03b – N/A
2.03c – N/A

Management Objective 2.04 – Water Quality Monitoring
Water quality samples were taken form 100 wells during the summer of 2015. The samples were tested for conductivity, total dissolved solids, chlorides,                   alkalinity, hardness, fluoride, iron and nitrates.  The 2015 water quality map will be posted for viewing and printing on the District’s web site.

Performance Standards
2.04a – 100 samples collected and analyzed
2.04b – 100% of wells sampled in 2015, 100 were sampled in 2014
2.04c – Water quality maps were made available to the public
2.04d – 100 test results were entered in database

Goal 3.0 -Addressing Drought Conditions

For educational purposes, the link to the TWDB drought page which has much useful information. That link is: http://waterdatafortexas.org/drought/

Management Objective 3.01 – Rain Gauges
The District maintains a network of 60 gauges.  The District’s network of rain gauges averaged 17.71 inches for the year 2015 compared to 15.20
inches for the same period last year.  The readings from the rain gauges are gathered monthly.

Performance Standards
3.01a – 60 rain gauges in District network
3.01b – 720 Yearly rain gauge readings of 720 possible

Goal 4.0          Addressing Conservation

Management Objective 4.01 – Classroom Education
During 2015, the District provided book covers to all three school districts.  Book covers were available for all elementary school students.  Water conservation curriculum is available on the education web site.  Presentations on the water conservation were given to all 4th & 5th graders in the District.

Performance Standards
4.01a – Water conservation curriculum was made available to all three elementary schools in the District
4.01b – 1,437 book covers distributed

Management Objective 4.02 – News Releases
Six news articles were published in the Seminole Sentinel News during 2014.  These articles addressed the District’s cost-in-water depletion program, “Water Conservation Scholar Ship” and articles prepared by the Education Coordinator.
Performance Standards

4.02a - Six news releases were prepared for publication in the local newspaper
Management Objective 4.03 – Public Speaking Engagements
The District fulfilled sixteen public speaking engagements during 2015.  These included:

-One presentation was made to approximately 100 Gaines County Citizens at the “Sandy Land Ag Conference”

-Presentation made to approximately 6 Citizens at the Rainwater Harvesting & Xeriscaping Workshop

-Two presentation were given @ two High Schools

-One presentation was made to the public at Ag & Oil Day

-Eight presentation was made to approximately 278 4th graders at Ag & Oil Day

-Three presentations were given at all three schools in September regarding the Conservation Calendar Art Contest


Performance Standard
4.03a – Sixteen programs were presented to protect, conserve and enhance our groundwater

Management Objective 4.04 – Printed Material Resource Center and Technical File
Eleven (11) Different publications are displayed in the library area of the office.  These publications are obtained from various sources, including the TWDB, the USGS and the Texas Ag Extension Service.
 
Performance Standards
4.04a – There 88 items on conservation, 6 on rules, and 11 on permitting, 11 on water quality
4.04b – N/A

Management Objective 4.05 – Saturated Thickness Maps
The most recent saturated thickness map is from 2015.  No additional saturated thickness map is required until 2020.

 Performance Standards
4.05a – There is currently one saturated thickness maps displayed in the District office and located on the District web site.  Real estate agents and prospective land buyers frequently request this document.                                                                                                               
                       
                       
Management Objective 4.06 – Conservation Literature
Eight publications displayed in the library area of the office are devoted to water conservation for the home and the farm.

Performance Standards
4.06a – 8 publications are dedicated to water conservation

4.06b – 0 items were obtained by the public in 201

Goal 5.0 -Addressing Rainwater Harvesting
                       
Management Objective 5.01 – Addressing Rainwater Harvesting
In June, the District hosted a Rainwater Harvesting & Xeriscaping Workshop.  Participants signed up for the workshop which was advertised on the District’s web site, KIKZ radio, and in the Seminole Sentinel.  At the workshop, a brief explanation of rainwater harvesting was given by the Education Coordinator.  There were also presentations given regarding lawn care during the drought and xeriscape landscapes. 

Performance Standards
5.01 - 6 participants received rain barrels and a rain chains. 

Goal 6.0  -Addressing Precipitation Enhancement

6.01 - While the District did participate in this program for twelve years, the program has been dissolved.  Therefore this goal is not applicable.

Goal 7.0 - Controlling and Preventing Subsidence

7.01 - This goal is not applicable to the District because there is no surface water in our district.  Referenced in Chapter 36, Texas Water Code.  TWC § 36.1071 (a) (3).

Goal 8.0-Addressing Conjunctive Surface Water Management Issues

8.01 - This goal is not applicable to the District because there is no fresh surface water in our district.  Referenced in Chapter 36, Texas Water Code.  TWC § 36.1071 (a) (4).

Goal 9.0 -Addressing Natural Resource Issues

9.01 - This Goal is not applicable to the District because there is no fresh surface water in our district.  Referenced in Chapter 36, Texas Water Code.  TWC § 36.1071 (a) (5).

Goal 10.0 -Addressing Recharge Enhancement

10.1 - A review of past work conducted by others indicates this goal is not appropriate at present.  Therefore this goal is not applicable.

Goal 11.0 -Addressing Brush Control

11.01 - Existing programs administered by the USDA – NRCS are sufficient for addressing this goal.  He Board does not believe that this activity is cost-effective and applicable for the District at this time.  Therefore this goal is not applicable.

Goal 12.0 -Addressing Desired Future Condition of the Aquifers

In 2010 the District adopted a DFC.  GMAs are required to meet annually.  The members of GMA #2 met in Lamesa in January and met again in Post in April to begin discussion on the next round of setting DFCs.  

Management Objective 12.01 – Calculate Annual Drawdown

Performance Standards
12.01a - The calculate annual drawdown results were presented to the District Board in the Annual Hydrograph Report at their December Board meeting
12.01b - The average drawdown results were presented to the District Board at their December Board meeting

Management Objective 12.02 – Calculate Cumulative Drawdown

Performance Standards
12.02a – The cumulative drawdown results were presented to the District Board in the Annual Hydrograph Report at their December Board meeting.
12.02b – The cumulative average annual drawdown results were presented to the District Board at their December Board meeting.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

IRS COST – IN – WATER DEPLETION PROGRAM

2015 was the 14th year the Llano Estacado Underground Water Conservation District participated in the IRS cost-in-water depletion program.  This program benefits irrigated landowners who have experienced a cash loss due to declining water levels.  The program was considered a success, as 51 landowner requests were processed.

LLANOESTACADOUWCD.ORG

The District has developed and maintains a web site.  The site provides education and information for District constituents, as well as people state-wide.  The web site can be accessible from the Texas Alliance of Groundwater District’s web site and is linked from various water district web sites.  General information, hydrologic maps, rainfall information, newsletters, rules, management plan and district program descriptions are available on the site.  In this fiscal year there were a total of 2709 visitors to the web site. 

FLOWMETER PROGRAM

2015 marks the 7th year for the District’s Flowmeter Program.  With the help of approximately 15 cooperators, the District reads flow meters every 2 weeks during the growing season to determine water usage on various crops.  Water usage for 2015 was calculated at the end of the growing season.  The following table contains a summary of irrigation water applied during this year.  The data received from the flow meter readings also helps the District calculate water efficiency in crop production.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

In 2007, the District joined South Plains UWCD, Sandy Land UWCD to form The Southern Ogallala Conservation and Outreach Program (SOCOP) which serves the education needs of the three districts. Through the Education Coordinator hired by SOCOP, more emphasis has been placed on education to students in the three school districts in the LEUWCD

This year, the 9th annual “Water Conservation Art Contest” was conducted.  Students submitted water conservation art work after hearing a presentation concerning water usage and conservation.  The winning art works will be featured in a 2016 calendar to be published and       
distributed by the District.  Calendars from the 2015 Water Conservation Contest were distributed throughout the District.

The District sponsored a “Water Conservation Scholar Ship Award” in 2015.  All senior students were eligible to enter the essay contest.  Contest winners from each school, Loop, Seagraves and Seminole will receive a $1,000 scholarship for 1st Place, $500.00 scholarship for 2nd Place and sent to the college of their choice.

The education website, www.savingH2O.org continues to be a part of the District’s public education outreach along with an education blog and a Twitter entry.  These mediums contain water conservation tips and information on the District’s education program.

WATER LEVEL RECORDERS

The District now has 6 well sites equipped with continuous monitoring water level recorders.  These devices obtain daily water level measurements.  Readings will be downloaded periodically and converted to chart form, then presented to the Directors annually meetings.  The data will also be mailed to the well owners/ operators.  The District will monitor these sites and plan to add more wells to the system.

USGS HYDROLOGY STUDY 

At In 2014, the Board of Directors voted to contract with the USGS to conduct a comprehensive study of the Ogallala and Edwards Trinity aquifers in the District. The objective of the project is to develop an updated regional conceptual model of the hydrogeologic framework, geochemistry and groundwaterflow system of the Ogallala and Edwards-Trinity (High Plains) aquifers within the District.  Updates are presented to the Board by USGS staff. 

Because declines in the saturated thickness of the aquifers raise concerns of possible groundwater quality degradation, groundwater quality sampling is planned to define groundwater sources, recharge, discharge and mixing zones.  A better understanding of the hydrologeology, geochemistry, and groundwater flow will help guide water management decisions.  

SUMMARY

The original legislative intent of groundwater district performance evaluations through management plan certification and auditing was to answer two main questions: 

1.Is the district operational, and

2.Is the district actively engaged in achieving stated goals, objectives, and performance standards?

Without a doubt, the Llano Estacado Underground Water Conservation District is operational and achieving its stated goals, objectives, and standards.  That is not to say, however, that there is no room for improvement.

The following are recommendations where the District could improve its service:

Management Objective                                           Recommendation

      1.01 – Water Level Monitoring                         N/A                                                    
      1.02 – Technical Field Services                         N/A
      1.03 – Laboratory Services                                N/A
      1.04 – Research and Demonstration               Consider a meeting to share results with cooperating producers
      1.05 – Center Pivot Inventories                         N/A
      2.01 – Well Permitting and Completion          Staff needs to reiterate the importance of   turning in paper work and completion of                                                                                           the well on time and the use of the well
2.02 – Open, Deteriorated or Uncovered         Staff need to reiterate the importance of
     Wells                                                         completion of wells
      2.03 – Maximum Allowable Production          N/A
      2.04 – Water Quality Monitoring                     Address concerns related to increased oil field activity
      3.01 – Rain Gauges                                             N/A
      4.01 – Classroom Education                                                                             
      4.02 – News Release                                           N/A
      4.03 – Public Speaking Engagements              N/A
      4.04 – Printed Resource Center/Technical     N/A
                 File
      4.05 – Saturated Thickness Maps                    N/A
      4.06 – Conservation Literature                         Work with the communities in the District and consider placing conservation literature at city offices.
      5.01 – Addressing Rainwater Harvesting       N/A
      6.01 – Addressing Precipitation
                 Enhancement                                           N/A
      7.01– Controlling and Preventing                   N/A
Subsidence
      8.01- Addressing Conjunctive Surface
Water Management Issues                          N/A
     9.01- Addressing Natural Resource Issues      N/A
    10.01- Addressing Recharge Enhancement     N/A
    11.01- Addressing Brush Control                       N/A
    12.01- Calculate Annual Drawdown                 N/A
    12.02- Calculate Cumulative Drawdown           N/A

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