Ogallala Aquifer Studies and Maps
North Plains GCD provides groundwater reports, studies, and maps to help users better understand aquifer conditions, water quality, and groundwater resources within the District.
Water Quality in the North Plains
While the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District is extremely involved in protecting water quantity, poor quality water is no longer suitable for many uses and therefore, wasted. That is why the district has also made water quality a focus through its in-house water quality program. If you ever have a concern about the quality of your well water, please call us at 806-935-6401 or e-mail info@northplainsgcd.org and we’ll send someone out to test it, free of charge.
USGS Groundwater Assessments
Water-quality samples are collected throughout the district each year as part of the district’s ongoing monitoring program. To supplement this annual testing with a comprehensive and highly detailed assessment, the district has partnered with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to evaluate the chemical and physical characteristics of groundwater within the aquifer. The resulting reports provide both a baseline assessment and a later comparison of groundwater conditions. Read the USGS water-quality reports below.
2014 USGS Water-Quality Report-5188
This report presents the results of groundwater-quality sampling conducted during 2012–13 and provides a baseline assessment of water quality in the Ogallala Formation within the district.
2022 USGS Water-Quality and Depth-to-Water Report
This follow-up report presents groundwater-quality and depth-to-water data collected during 2019–20 and compares those findings with conditions documented during the 2012–13 study.
How to Disinfect a Private Water Well
If your private well may have been contaminated—such as after flooding—this Texas Commission on Environmental Quality guide provides step-by-step instructions for disinfecting the well and household plumbing system, flushing the system, collecting a water sample, and reviewing bacteriological test results.
Hydrology & Groundwater Resources Reports
North Plains GCD completes hydrology reports on an annual basis.
The North Plains Groundwater Conservation District has completed a general information hydrologic report on the District’s regional hydrology and groundwater resources. The report is available each summer for the preceding calendar year.
The report contains maps showing the District boundaries, estimated depth to water, estimated average yearly water level declines, estimated aquifer saturated thickness and maps showing District monitor well locations. The report summarizes the number of active and inactive wells, the number of new wells drilled, annual groundwater production, and general water quality.
Copies of the atlas can be obtained free of charge at the District office at 603 East 1st Street in Dumas.
Please allow time for the document to download. It is very graphic intensive and may take several minutes to download.
