NE Texas Aquifers

According to the 2008 Guidance Manual for Brackish Groundwater in Texas, prepared for the TWDB by NRS Consulting Engineers, there exists 55.8 million acre-feet of brackish groundwater in storage beneath NE Texas. This is water in the out-flow boundaries of the several known aquifers.  

Presently, most of our NE Texas area is not under a groundwater control district.  Availability estimates have been extracted from various reports by GMA 8, the Region D Water Planning Group and other political water planning agencies governed by the Texas Water Development Board. 

These paid-by-taxpayers reports include the Desired Future Conditions (DFCs), updated Regional Water Planning pumping estimates (as applied to a desired construct for predictive models), and Groundwater Availability Model (GAM) Runs to determine the amount of Managed Available Groundwater (MAG) for each aquifer.  These assumptions and estimates are guesstimates, however, not facts. 

All of these reports are studies that rely upon assumptions and estimates that vary, according to the sources of data and the methods of calculation. But all have been tentatively accepted by the TWDB. But assumptions and estimates can be changed, however, at the whim of one of the reporting governmental units.  But the following information on area aquifers can be found in recent TWDB reports: 

Blossom Aquifer

The Blossom Aquifer occupies a narrow east-west band in parts of Bowie, Red River, and Lamar counties in the northeast corner of the North East Texas Region.   

The Texas Water Development Board reports that the annual availability for the Blossom Aquifer is equal to the effective recharge that occurs primarily through infiltration of rainfall over the outcrop area.  This, they claim, allows for a small to moderate amount of groundwater yields over a limited area on and south of the outcrop, with the largest well yields occurring in Red River County. Production decreases in the western half of the aquifer, where yields of 35 gal/minute to 85 gal/minute are typical. 

There are times when you wonder about claims made by governmental units.  For instance, the TWDB maps of the Blossom aquifer show recharge occurring from the Red River, which is not considered in the TWDB report on the aquifer.  Nor, does the report show any recharge from Arkansas and Oklahoma sources, which add to the potential total recharge rate.    

In addition, the TWDB claims water quality from the Blossom Aquifer does not meet current drinking water standards for public water supplies but may be used for domestic and livestock purposes.  Historically, however, the aquifer has provided a clean and safe water supply for NE Texas families and communities. And current statewide standards require that water from all sources be treated to “clean water” criteria.

Nacatoch Aquifer

The Nacatoch Aquifer is claimed and classified as a minor aquifer by the TWDB. But this sandstone aquifer starts its identity in NE Arkansas and extends to Louisiana, and occurs along a narrow band in northeast and north-central Texas. Nacatoch groundwater is generally good and the aquifer provides water used for municipal, domestic, and other purposes within its extent.  

Basically, in Texas, it is an Arkansas aquifer claimed by the TWDB (sort of a “Capture Rule” thing).  In essence, the aquifer is basically fed by Arkansas water along its 500-plus mile length. 

Woodbine Aquifer

Classified as a minor aquifer, the TWDB claims the water quality in this regional aquifer is typically not acceptable for public water supply because it does not meet current public drinking water standards.  But, they also say, it may be used for domestic, irrigation, and livestock purposes. 

A recent study, funded by the TWDB, classified the Woodbine as part of the Trinity Aquifer in NE Texas. The report, as originally presented, provides evidence that the Woodbine, in Texas, is the start of the Trinity aquifer, and that both aquifers are just one aquifer.  If not, the Woodbine is the major source of the groundwater that feeds into the Trinity.  

As technology continues to develop, and our underground knowledge of aquifers and formations keeps expanding, other long-held beliefs are likely to change.

Trinity Aquifer

The Trinity consists of the Trinity Group formations, which extend through 61-counties from the Red River in North Texas to the Hill Country of Central Texas. Several previous studies, prior to the recent Woodbine-Trinity study, stated that the Trinity was comprised of the Twin Mountains, Glen Rose, Paluxy, Hosston, and Hensell formations. Where the Glen Rose thins or is absent, the Twin Mountains and Paluxy formations coalesce to form the Antlers Formation. In the south, the Trinity includes the Glen Rose and underlying Travis Peak formations. Water from the Antlers portion in East Texas mainly supports and acts as a recharge source for the outcrop areas of the minor area aquifers.

Historically, the TWDB classifies the Trinity as a major aquifer, but claims the groundwater availability and usage from the aquifer is limited in the North East Texas Region. They also say that the water quality in the Trinity Aquifer, in the North East Texas Region, is typically not acceptable for public water supply because it does not meet current drinking water standards.  BUT they also say, it may be used for domestic, irrigation, and livestock purposes.

It is interesting to note that while the TWDB claims that the Trinity Aquifer “groundwater availability and usage…is limited in the North East Texas Region”, they don’t say it is not available.  Perhaps, as NE Texas is in the water-rich area of Texas, and enjoys an approximate average of 45-inches of rainfall annually, the need for availability and usage is greatly reduced.  (Texas’ coastal areas have greater amounts of rainfall, but this fresh water supply is demanded by requirements of the state’s bays and estuaries.)  

The Trinity Aquifer is a major supplier of groundwater to communities in a large region of both East and Central Texas.

Antlers, Paluxy, and Twin Mountains Aquifers

At deeper elevations, starting at depths below 1000-feet, are the Antlers and Paluxy formations. The Twin Mountains and Paluxy formations coalesce to form the Antlers Formation.  All three are major aquifers, capable of producing large amounts of water. 

SUMMARY:  Groundwater in our NE Texas aquifers moves from one aquifer to another, each feeding the other.  Groundwater falling in the limestone hills of Arkansas and Oklahoma makes it way underground to these aquifers, adding greatly to potential recharge capabilities. The “potential” is unknown, as the aquifers in our East Texas area stay full, which currently limits recharge:  You can’t add water to a full pot.

On Friday, February 24, 2012, the Texas Supreme Court declared that Texas landowners own the water beneath their land, and may seek compensation if unreasonable government regulations limit their access to it.

We, Rural/Urban Resources, have around 75-landowners who have leased their groundwater under several thousands of surface acres. They communitized or pooled their groundwater – much like oil and gas – with other landowners for an eventual sale. It is an economic venture by these landowners to make money from an asset they own and, at the same time, be a public benefit for areas that need additional water resources. 

We hold that this was done, as it was, before the current control efforts were implemented.  These new controls would have to consider the (1) prior separation of the water from the land; (2) the landowner's use of his/her property for their economic benefit; and (3) provide for a "grandfathering in" of the prior economic use purpose...just as a change in zoning must factor in current use under prior zoning requirements. 

Since 1967, state water-planners have eyed our NE Texas region as the key component in the development of a Master Plan on water resources.  In 1967, one of the principles of Rural/Urban Resources helped develop the first brochure on a state water plan, and it started with the water in East Texas.  As Texas has ownership to all of the state's surface water, it has the all the rights of ownership control.  The state not only has control of all surface water, but it is trying to take the right of groundwater ownership away from the landowners.    

Starting in 1967, state water planners have worked, and are working, for control of groundwater, which is owned by the landowner.  As they know, there cannot be a Master Plan for water resources without the inclusion of groundwater.  

Every year, it becomes more important for landowners to seek ways to help those areas that need additional water resources to acquire it. All ways to protect the landowner's groundwater should be fully explored. This means the finding, buying and transporting additional water from within or outside an area or region should be an imperative for every landowner...and user.  

Landowners can only protect themselves by forcing politicians and the TWDB to accept their input for a solution to water problems. They must offer more than just "You're not gonna take my water!" 

IF that is the sole program, the state wins... 

Currently, our NE Texas area is not under the control of a groundwater district.  Our area counties of Bowie, Delta, Franklin, Hood, Lamar, Red River and others, are among the nearly 100 counties in Texas that also do not have a groundwater district.

According to Texas Water Development Board estimates, and despite how the state water planners act, there are only 95-or so groundwater districts in Texas, which include nearly 50 predominantly single-county districts.

We appreciate inquiries about our East Texas groundwater, so let us hear from you.

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