This is accomplished through the careful regulation of groundwater withdrawals, working in collaboration with surface water suppliers. endobj extensometer stations in the 11-county area. Occasionally, the district undertakes a review of the regulatory plan, working with other entities to assess future water needs and ensure that the plan will be successful in ceasing subsidence. However, there is another cause of subsidence in our area which causes the activation of surface faults (which can damage roads, houses, and buildings), loss of wetlands and . Trash Alternative water sources, like treated surface water, prevents excessive groundwater pumping, thereby minimizing subsidence. Datasets of water-level changes and altitudes in the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers. Significant brackish groundwater resources exist within the Gulf Coast Aquifer System near Houston, Texas in Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend, and surrounding counties. Community =*-SRIbI -|tdAl`
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Since the creation of the GMA, HGSD has provided information, research, and financial support to the GMA process. The RGUP was jointly supported by the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, the Fort Bend Subsidence District, and the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District. Harris County MUD 501 is within the boundaries of the Harris Galveston Subsidence District (the Subsidence District) which regulates groundwater withdrawal. Managing how groundwater resources are used is key to controlling subsidence. endstream
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In cooperation with Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, the City of Houston, Fort Bend County Subsidence District, Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District, and Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District, the U.S. Geological Survey Texas Water Science Center Gulf Coast Program collects, processes, and interprets groundwater-level . The district implemented their first groundwater regulatory plan in 1976. We are hiring a Deputy General Manager Fort Bend Operations to join our executive leadership team. Deputy General Manager Fort Bend Operations, Now Hiring! Subsidence regulation districts and their creation timeline The Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District. 1975: Established by Texas State Legislature. Texas Water Development Board works best with JavaScript enabled. Since it is not a GCD, HGSD participates in the activities of GMA 14 as an inter-local participant. 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
as the difference in water-level altitude at each well for the water-level data collection year and the
interprets groundwater-level and aquifer-sediment-compaction data to understand the effects of
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"1T"@0D$L$!A!JyXUJsm\Ouu~o:p11G5r[U=w/ QdQUq] Population projections were developed at the census block level for each decade from 2010 to 2070 using the 2010 U.S. Census as a population baseline. 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. University of Houston . reduce groundwater withdrawals in Harris and Galveston Counties. View More. Water-level altitude is calculated at each well by subtracting the water-level measurement (depth to
users to view annual water-level altitudes, water-level changes over time, and historical time series of
This dataset was created to provide resource managers, public officials . This district was created because area . <> The Subsidence District has adopted regulations requiring reduction of groundwater withdrawals through conversion to alternate source water (e.g., surface water) in certain areas within the . HGSD has the goal of reducing the area to 20% reliance on groundwater by 2035 and managing water to promote . The cumulative compaction in the Chicot-Evangeline undifferentiated aquifer is measured at 13
Subsequent to establishing the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, the Texas State Legislature
9 were here. Harris County MUD 501 is located within the boundaries of the Authority. Purpose: To manage groundwater withdrawal and enforce groundwater regulation within the district to prevent subsidence. The results of this study confirm the potential for compaction in the Jasper aquifer and subsidence to occur from brackish groundwater development particularly in up-dip areas near where the Jas-per is being used for freshwater supply. The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District maintains GPS monitoring stations in Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend and surrounding counties. 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 below land surface) from the referenced well land-surface altitude. Land Subsidence. The review of the plan includes the following steps: The initial stakeholder meeting for the joint regulatory plan review will take place May 20, 2020 and future progress meetings will be scheduled periodically throughout the project. For non-emergency law enforcement matters, please contact the Harris County Sheriffs Office non-emergency line at (713) 221-6000. The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD) is a special purpose district created by the Texas Legislature in 1975. Harris County MUD 501 is within the boundaries of the Harris Galveston Subsidence District (the Subsidence District) which regulates groundwater withdrawal. People who live in the lower lying coastal areas (i.e., lower elevations and flatter topography) have much more reason to be concerned with subsidence than those who reside further inland in areas of higher elevations with more topographic relief. Additionally, the US Geological Survey (USGS) has begun work on the GULF-2023 model, with an anticipated completion date in the fall of 2021. water for municipal supply, commercial and industrial use, and irrigation in the Houston-Galveston
Contact information for the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District. The Lone Star GCD has studied the Gulf Coast Aquifer for a decade and confirmed the reports of many local water suppliers, which state that water levels in the countys aquifers have declined at an alarming rate as a result of deficit pumping. December 1, 2020. larger image. Harris-Galveston Subsidence District Permitting Portal Fort Bend Subsidence District Permitting Portal Please use one of these links to reach to the appropriate Permitting Portal. water-level altitude data at observation wells in the Houston-Galveston Region. The live data from the two older PAM units may be viewed by clicking on the Subsidence Monitoring Network Map (If you have Google Earth installed on your computer, simply click on the .kml file, and Google Earth will automatically open, showing you the network map.). Up to 2020, regional water-level altitude maps were created by manually interpolating contours of
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. 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. From USGS well monitoring over decades they are able to show that once subsidence districts are created, groundwater levels rise significantly, thereby decreasing subsidence issues in their districts. Data provided by the USGS. Surface water rates dropped from $5.05 to $4.55, and the groundwater pumpage fee went from $4.60 to $4.10 per . Regular, precise, automated readings are taken of the elevation of the ground at locations throughout the county. 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). City
The Houston area's two subsidence districts the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, HGSD, and the Fort Bend Subsidence District have worked to monitor subsidence and mitigate it through a variety of water management efforts. On the first stop, we visited the Texas City Rainwater Pump Station, where Texas Citys Emergency Management team takes runoff rainwater from ditches in the area and pumps it into Moses Lake. Explore Groundwater-Level and Compaction Data in the Chicot, Evangeline and Jasper Aquifers. After collecting and evaluating groundwater-level data for quality control, data are incorporated into a
Land subsidence is the gradual lowering of land-surface elevation. Water-level altitude contours, wells, and compaction data have been combined in an interactive map that allows users to view annual water-level altitudes from 1977 through the present, water-level changes over time, and historical time series of compaction data. Most compaction that occurs as a result of groundwater withdrawals is irreversible; even if groundwater
Working with surface water suppliers the HGSD controls subsidence by managing the use of groundwater resources in Harris and Galveston Counties. HGSD works closely with State and Federal agencies to foster collaboration and improve governmental efficiency. The goal was to keep the region elevated by developing ways to reduce groundwater consumption.. It has since been turned into the Baytown Nature Center. Harris-Galveston Subsidence Districts main mechanism of regulation is through its regulatory plan, with requirements laid out in the districts enabling legislation. They have successfully slowed-down land subsidence, decreased flood risks, and overall maintained the viability of the area. You can also view water levels by visiting the Lone Star Static Well Level Monitoring Network Map. Groundwater-level and compaction data are available as part of USGS data products. %PDF-1.5
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Subsidence is known to have occurred in the southern part of Montgomery County based on monitoring and long-term surveying of land surface. The Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District has required reduced groundwater use to slow or stop subsidence (sinking of ground level) in Harris and Galveston Counties. 186 0 obj
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2005: Established by the Texas State Legislature. Contact Information; District Website; Legislation House Bill 552; Chapter 284, 64th Legislature, 1975; 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. water levels in the aquifer were declining with associated depressuring, dewatering, and compaction
A report by: David B. Zilkoski, Lucy W. Hall, Gilbert J. Mitchell, Vasanthi Kammula, Ajit Singh, William M. Chrismer, and Ronald J. Since 2019, the Subsidence District has sponsored research conducted by Southern Methodist University (SMU) that utilizes a novel methodology to evaluate land-surface deformation (subsidence) in the region. Since the mid 1970's, the USGS and the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District have conducted scientific investigations and subsidence monitoring for over 40 years. Reduces the ability to store water in an aquifer. 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. The accuracy of the referenced well land-surface altitude data has improved through time and the most
the U.S. Geological Survey Texas Water Science Center Gulf Coast Program collects, processes, and
The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, created in 1975, was the first of these districts. HGSD Financial Information including Budgets, Annual Audits, and Financial Reports. 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 . The Authority has entered into a Water Supply Contract with the City of Houston to obtain treated surface water from Houston. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the . These efforts have identified and .
1985: Divided into 8 regulatory areas by amount of groundwater reduction needed. ArcGIS Online Map of Subsidence Rates in Fort Bend and Surrounding Counties, Texas, USA, 2020 Annual Groundwater Report Executive Summary, ArcGIS Online Map of Subsidence Rates in Fort Bend and surrounding Counties, Texas, USA. Since 1836, groundwater withdrawals have caused about 3,200 square miles of the Houston-Galveston area to subside (or sink) more than a foot, with some areas subsiding as much as 12 to 13 feet. Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District, Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District. HGSD is governed by a board composed of 19 directors appointed by mayors and entities withing HGSD boundaries. 1999: Regulatory areas converted into 3 primary areas. The Authoritys GRP sets forth the Authoritys plan to comply with the Subsidence District regulations, construct surface water facilities, and convert users from groundwater to alternate source water (e.g., surface water). The RGUP originally started in 2010 as the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD) 1999 Regulatory Plan Update, but due to its benefits to other regional groundwater regulatory agencies, the Fort Bend Subsidence District (FBSD) and the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District (LSGCD) joined the collaborative effort in 2010.The primary benefit of collaboration between these three entities is that each of them could use the RGUP to vet their existing regulatory plans using updated population/water demand data and groundwater modeling capability, and in the case of HGSD and FBSD, investigate the physical effects of changing their existing regulatory plans to accommodate the practical realities facing their stakeholders while successfully completing the Districts mission objectives. HARRIS-GALVESTON SUBSIDENCE DISTRICT SUBCHAPTER A. endstream
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Overview of Science and Research conducted by the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, The strategic direction for science and research conducted at the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District. 18-396 passed on March 28, 2018, the Board of Directors held the Annual Groundwater Hearing beginning at 2:30 p.m. on May 23, 2018. Learn about the District's water conservation programs and tools, Get local watering recommendations based off data from the District's weather stations. The USGS has a long history of working with HGSD and other entities in the Houston region. endobj By Vanessa Holt. A resident of the Houston area since 2011, Vanessa began working in community . 0
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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. About Us | Programs and Education | Management and Rules | News& Publications | Meeting Info | Permitting | Aquifers Data& Maps | Contact Us, Copyright 2004-2016 Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District Water demands were projected . 1976: First regulatory area (Area of Concentrated Emphasis, ACE) established. The Authority has developed a groundwater reduction plan (GRP) and obtained Subsidence District approval of its GRP. According to a 2017 USGS report, Water levels in the southeastern parts of the study area in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers have generally continued to rise since 1977, while water levels in the northern and western parts of Harris County and Southern Montgomery County have continued to decline. endstream
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1 0 obj Want to learn more about how subsidence has impacted this region? Report Street Light Outage 229 0 obj
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Fort Bend Subsidence District (FBSD) revised its District Regulatory Plan (DRP) in 2013 based on population and water demand projections, which were developed as part of a Regional Groundwater Update Project (RGUP) completed in 2013. Lone
HARRIS GALVESTON SUBSIDENCE DISTRICT TESTIMONY TO COMMITTEE ON COUNTY AFFAIRS 2. The District was created to provide for the regulation of groundwater withdrawal.