What the NPGCD Does

Identifying future concerns and finding solutions related to water resources before they become problems.

The District issues water well permits, collects groundwater information, performs water quality analyses and provides a number of well system tests and other services. Extensive databases are used to store, retrieve, and analyze groundwater information for the District.

The purpose of the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District is achieved through rules, educational programs, District-provided services, and through the cooperation of local, state, and federal agencies.

Throughout the history of the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District, the board of directors and staff have been committed to identifying future concerns and finding solutions before they become problems. The District continues to be aware of regulations of other local, state, and federal agencies which affect groundwater use or groundwater management. The District acts as a liaison between these agencies and the residents of the District. It is the goal of the District to provide the best management of groundwater resources and make every effort to insure that an abundant supply of potable water will be available for future generations.

Conserving, protecting, and preserving the Ogallala Aquifer

The North Plains Groundwater Conservation District is responsible for conserving, protecting, and preserving the Ogallala Aquifer and other water resources in the northern Texas Panhandle. Headquartered in Dumas, Texas, the District serves an arid to sub-arid region with limited surface water resources. Across much of the area, groundwater from the Ogallala Aquifer is the primary water supply.

Although the Ogallala contains a significant amount of groundwater, it receives little to no recharge. With more than 10,000 large active wells within the District, the aquifer is a finite and declining resource. Recognizing the importance of long-term groundwater management, the Texas Legislature established groundwater conservation districts to help manage and protect these critical resources.

A Proud History of Preserving our water resources since 1949.

In 1949, the Texas Legislature authorized the creation of groundwater conservation districts to carry out specific duties, functions, and powers related to groundwater management. That authority was originally set forth in Article 7880-3c of the Texas Civil Statutes and was later moved to Chapter 52, and then Chapter 36, of the Texas Water Code.

A confirmation election was held in 1955, affirming the creation of a groundwater conservation district dedicated to protecting and conserving groundwater resources north of the Canadian River. The original District included Sherman, Hansford, and Ochiltree counties, along with the areas north of the Canadian River in Hartley, Moore, and Hutchinson counties.

The District expanded over time. Lipscomb County voted to annex into the District in 1973. Portions of Dallam County were annexed in 1993 and 2004, followed by additional landowner petition annexations from 2004 until July 2012, when the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ordered the remaining properties in Dallam County to join the District.

District Annual Report

The District’s Annual Report provides a yearly update on North Plains Groundwater Conservation District’s progress toward the strategic goals outlined in its management plan. A copy of the most current Annual Report is also available at the District office.