North Plains Water News

March 2024

Whatever You Call It, It's Required!

What is a Low-Pressure Drain?

This question is usually asked by several of our producers and farm hands when told they are missing the low-pressure drain (LPD) off their wells, which is required safety equipment to prevent contamination of a well and ultimately the aquifer. This little piece of equipment is required as per the Texas Water Code 36 and further required as per the NPGCD Rules Chapter 4, Rule 4.5.1.F. The purpose of the LPD is to drain off any leakage of water and injection chemicals from the check valve, upon securing the well and/or loss of power to the well—see the illustration of the typical check valve with the low-pressure drain shown below.

Once this is explained, it is usually called something else by the producers and farm hands as a back-flow preventer, or freeze drain. The LPD maybe called by a more colorful name when it quits working properly on the well. This failure or leakage is usually caused by debris and sand build up in the LPD valve seating surface. So, when the well is shut down for an extended period, an oil change, or just maintenance; pull the valve out and open the check valve via the inspection port and clean out the debris and flush out the buildup before placing the well back on-line.

If you have any questions about LPD's or any of the District's rules please reach out to our Compliance Coordinator Lou Orthman at lorthman@northplainsgcd.org or call the office at (806)-935-6401 ext. 203.

2023 Winter Water Level Measurement Summary

The above map shows the locations of the North Plains GCD observation well network. The network consists of 453 wells that the district staff measures each winter. Field personal measure the static water level in these wells starting in January, attempting to complete the measurements by March 15^th. Once the data is collected and processed, the District’s Hydrologist uses the data for the Annual Hydrology report. The data is also used to create various county based contour maps. The maps include calculated depth to water (DTW), saturated thickness (every other year), depletion maps, and average decline maps. Additionally, the collected data is provided to the Texas Water Development Board to assist their efforts in groundwater management and groundwater modeling. A copy of the 2023 Hydrology Report can be found on the districts website or downloaded here.

This year the district staff is on schedule for completing the measurements by March 15^th. The staff will also spend a week or two revisiting wells that were in operation during the first visit, since measurements cannot be taken when the well is running. Below is a summary of the measurements for the year ending 2023.

County	Total Wells	Visited	Measured	% Measured
DA	70	43	38	54%
HA	64	29	25	39%
HN	72	69	0	0%
HU	26	25	25	96%
MO	62	62	57	92%
SH	63	54	54	86%
LI	47	11	11	23%
OC	49	5	4	8%
	453	298	214
		66%	72%

At the time this article was written, measurements for Lipscomb and Ochiltree counties were ongoing.

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That's a Wrap!

The last session and the graduation for the Master Irrigator Class of 2024 took place on Wednesday, March 6.

This year, 20 participants completed the program. Of those, 16 are growers, one is extension personnel, and one is a Natural Resource Specialist with the District. Two of the graduates are irrigators for a local dairy. Of the growers, two of the graduates are from counties within the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District and will be eligible to apply for cost share funding under a new policy approved this year by the Board of Directors.

If you are interested in participating in the future 2025 class, please contact Baylee Barnes at 806-935-6401 ext 213 or bbarnes@northplainsgcd.org.

Outreach and Education Across the District

It has been an exceptionally busy season for outreach in the district. Staying busy with Master Irrigator during February and part of March, but also participating in several conferences and educational opportunities.

On February 28th the district participated in the 7th Biannual Texas Panhandle Water Conservation Symposium. The symposium focused on what we as communities can do to help extend the life of the Ogallala Aquifer. Specifically, George Peyton V from the Texas Water Development Board gave an agency update, everyone received an overview of the 88th Legislative Session from Senator Kevin Sparks, and Meteorologist Joanne Culin gave a Climate Outlook for Spring 2024.

On March 20th, outreach team members Curtis Schwertner and Paige Glazner participated in Sherman County Farm Bureau Ag Day. Staff taught students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade and 5th and 6th graders about the Water Cycle through coloring and the Incredible Journey game.

Lastly, on March 21st and 22nd the district attended the Ogallala Commons' Stewarding Our Water Future Conference in Amarillo.

The two day conference provided speakers from all over the world, with different backgrounds coming together providing better tools for the future of the Ogallala Aquifer. General Manager Janet Guthrie presented the adult and child education programs provided by the district.

Through attending these programs the district is able to learn more ways we can help those in our district become even more efficient in conserving groundwater.

Pictured above from Left to Right are General Manager Janet Guthrie, Conservation Outreach Specialist Baylee Barnes, and Aquifer Science Manager Odell Ward at the Ogallala Commons Conference.

Important Links...

North Plains Groundwater Conservation District

(806) 935-6401

info@northplainsgcd.org

northplainsgcd.org

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