Most compaction that occurs as a result of groundwater withdrawals is irreversible; even if groundwater 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. Contact Us. All Rights Reserved. %N_yuJlv\DxD"`UIci+QV8F,P"iRNd[U]4#8T&2m4=oCgq! 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. For non-emergency law enforcement matters, please contact the Harris County Sheriffs Office non-emergency line at (713) 221-6000. Overview of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District planning process. Harris-Galveston Subsidence District. 1 of 11. o35d8\,=R/.Y2xTE@;jj?4/gh?D$U2;MrpF&tMF6h-|l-:nSzC~ ER5knSP" zXyY/mY|{mm}x"S8K~"UILrD> After successfully implementing InSAR mapping in the Houston-Galveston region in 2019, this new project will harness the complimentary capabilities of the Subsidence Districts subsidence monitoring network and SAR imagery to develop these historical deformation maps. The district proactively works with its groundwater users to address issues such as how to most efficiently use groundwater, control and prevent waste, control and prevent subsidence, and address drought conditions. USGS measures groundwater levels in over 700 wells in an 11-county area annually in the Houston-Galveston area in order to develop a regional depiction of groundwater levels. HGSD has the goal of reducing the area to 20% reliance on groundwater by 2035 and managing water to promote . Since the mid 1970s, the USGS and the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District have conducted scientific investigations and subsidence monitoring for over 40 years. Some natural land subsidence also occurs over long periods of time, due to natural settling. Harris-Galveston Subsidence District reposted this, Mitigation of human-induced land subsidence starts with the regulation of resource extractions. The districts mission is to control land subsidence and manage groundwater resources through regulation, conservation, and coordination with suppliers of alternative water sources to assure an adequate quantity and quality of water for the future. 2001: Established by the Texas State Legislature. HGSD is governed by a board composed of 19 directors appointed by mayors and entities withing HGSD boundaries. For detailed information on the processing methodology, please refer to https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/%28ASCE%29SU.1943-5428.0000399. The District was created to provide for the regulation of groundwater . . Conventional Measurement Method, Borehole Extensometers, GPS, and Measuring Subsidence in the Future. Star Groundwater Conservation District. Working with surface water suppliers the HGSD controls subsidence by managing the use of groundwater resources in Harris and Galveston Counties. hb```a``c`e`fb@ !+s\ddX{DJG3^pq~HIq @ZHHt40Ttt4D - 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. compaction data. You can view research studies, model information, and interactive maps under the Science & Research tab of the HGSD website. larger image. endstream endobj 190 0 obj <>stream 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). We are hiring a Deputy General Manager Fort Bend Operations to join our executive leadership team. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) prepared this dataset in cooperation with the HarrisGalveston Subsidence District, City of Houston, Fort Bend Subsidence District, Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District, and Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District. Chicot-Evangeline aquifer in southeastern Harris County, and correspondingly, by 1979, as much as 10 Prior to 1975, the withdrawal of groundwater from the Chicot-Evangeline aquifer was unregulated, and Learn about the history of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District. 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. The District was created to provide for the regulation of groundwater withdrawal. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Harris Galveston Subsidence District, City of Houston, Fort Bend Subsidence District, Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District, and Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District, has produced this dataset of water-level changes and approximate water-level altitudes in the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas. 301 Jackson Street, Suite 639 water for municipal supply, commercial and industrial use, and irrigation in the Houston-Galveston Click here to view information and publications from USGS about groundwater and subsidence on the Texas Gulf Coast. Legislature authorized the establishment of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District to regulate and Up to 2020, regional water-level altitude maps were created by manually interpolating contours of GALVESTON COUNTY CHAMBERS COUNTY LIBERTY COUNTY WALLER COUNTY 45 249 59 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Pamphlet to accompany Scientific Investigations Map 3365 Prepared in cooperation with the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, City of Houston, Fort Bend Subsidence District, Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District . reduce groundwater withdrawals in Harris and Galveston Counties. 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 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. Subsidence can be an important issue in certain areas such as the Gulf Coast region. adopted as an effective alternative to manual contour interpolation. as the difference in water-level altitude at each well for the water-level data collection year and the zAG2U&8?fU@. USGS measures groundwater levels in over 700 wells in an 11-county area annually in the geographic information system (GIS) and used for the construction of regional water-level altitude and Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District - Phase 3 Site-Specific Subsidence Investigations (December 12, 2022), Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District - Phase 2 Subsidence Investigations (January 26, 2022), Subsidence Study Phase 2 Final Report (as approved on May 10, 2022), Subsidence Study Phase 2 Task 1 and Task 2 Draft Report, Subsidence Study Phase 2 Scope of Work (as approved on April 13, 2021), Subsidence Study Phase 1 Final Report (as approved on August 11, 2020), Subsidence Study Phase 1 Draft Final Report (pending Board approval on August 11, 2020). Click here to read our blog about how it could be addressed with a new USGS subsidence mapping tool. Bend County Subsidence District, Lone Disrupts collector drains and irrigation ditches. One of the primary concerns of subsidence in the coastal regions is flooding due to storm surges associated with hurricanes, where permanent seawater inundation and periodic storm water surge can dramatically impact property. Water-level change in the Gulf Coast Aquifer, 1977 to 2018. Interpolated modeled water-level altitude surfaces were only used to compute differences when wells were Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District, Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District. 229 0 obj <>stream Get the latest news and updates from the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District. The Board meetings are typically held at 5:30 PM on the first Wednesday of the month at The Lakehouse at Towne Lake, 10000 Towne Lake Parkway, Cypress, Texas 77433. When we pump large amounts of groundwater from the aquifers beneath us, we pull water out of the many layers of clay, which can cause the clay to compact. Ground-Water Withdrawals and Land-Surface Subsidence in the Houston-Galveston Region, Texas, 1906-80: R-286: 4/1/1984: TWDB numbered report: This site is a publicly available, searchable, online database of water information. `c331vf2~+kRbs "cX1K3H3200 iy@Se! g= The District office will be closed on Monday, February 20, 2023, in observance of Presidents Day and will reopen during regular business hours on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Groundwater Conservation District Information (O-Z and Subsidence Districts) For keyboard navigation: First, use Arrow Keys to navigate up and down the districts. levels rise, compacted sediments and the associated land-surface lowering would remain as-is. 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. The district implemented their first groundwater regulatory plan in 1976. Register a well, permit applications, renewals, and amendments. We look forward to each Directors contribution to the HGSDs Board. The University of Houston processes the GPS data. Managing how groundwater resources are used is key to controlling subsidence. In reaction to the subsidence issues across the Houston-Galveston region, the Texas Legislature established the first subsidence district in 1975 to reduce or minimize further groundwater subsidence in their area. 1999: Regulatory areas converted into 3 primary areas. % All Rights Reserved the Houston-Galveston Region, Texas. Fort Newsletters H\j@}l/6 6i!i$U6"o=B9|c7MfwzQCyaks,Oi&LOcuVcc6_z0Y.MTQM>lW~2Miu8hV4c:ul:fU,+?/Q_spA.%Y[Hliicc-iiiiooo#t8zAG#+0SL W`y$[yzzxzzzxzzzxzzzxzzzxzzzxzzzxzgJ0Fi6xN4._3I]8o Subsidence regulation districts and their creation timeline The Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District. HGSD Financial Information including Budgets, Annual Audits, and Financial Reports. Purpose: To manage groundwater withdrawal and enforce groundwater regulation throughout Harris and Galveston counties, in hopes of preventing the land subsidence that leads to increased flooding.. 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. 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. Water Conservation Program Coordinator, 2022 Annual Groundwater Report Public Hearing Notice, https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/%28ASCE%29SU.1943-5428.0000399. Copyright 2023 The Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts. For keyboard navigation: First, use Arrow Keys to navigate up and down the districts. 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. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from Baylor University and her . The reduction in pumpage has resulted in the increase of water- level in the aquifer system in those areas and a reduction in subsidence rates. Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District . %PDF-1.3 Subsidence Risk Assessment and Regulatory Considerations for the Brackish Jasper Aquifer. water levels in the aquifer were declining with associated depressuring, dewatering, and compaction Creation year: 1975 (64th Texas Legislature).