Texas Groundwater Summit 2014 San Marcos

1. Texas Groundwater Summit2014San Marcos Groundwater Conservation District Panel Dirk Aaron General Manager Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District

2. History of District Created by 71st Legislature in 1989 (HB 3172). Confirmed by Bell County voters in 1999. Doors opened for business in 2002. District’s jurisdiction includes all of Bell County—approximately 1,055 square miles. Authority to levy ad valorem tax at rate not to exceed one cent/$100 assessed value—FY15 tax rate $0.0040/$100 assessed value.

3. District Headquarters 700 Kennedy Court Belton, Texas

5. Major Aquifers in Bell County Geology: Trinity– Underlies all of Bell County. Fraction of outcrop located in south western Bell County. Edwards (BFZ) – Outcrop generally to the west of I35 with the down dip to the east of Interstate 35. Edwards BFZ Out Crop Edwards BFZ Down Dip Trinity Out Crop Trinity Down Dip Edwards BFZ Out Crop Edwards BFZ Down Dip Trinity Out Crop Trinity Down Dip

6. District Rules – Major Points • All wells in Bell County are required to be registered. • Wells exempt from permitting include: • Wells used for domestic purposes or for watering livestock or poultry • Wells must be incapable of producing more than 17 gpm. (25,000 gallons per day) • Wells must be located on a tract of land consisting of at least ten acres; smaller tracts are acceptable if they were lawfully configured prior to March 1, 2004 as a tract less than 10 acres in size. • All non-exempt wells must obtain a permit and report monthly production. 3,500 active exempt wells 106 active permitted wells

7. Managing to the DFC DFC / MAG GMA 8 Joint Planning in (original Admin District) Desired Future Condition Trinity Aquifer: Glen Rose 155 ft/50 years Hensell 286 ft/50 years Hosston 319 ft/50 years Edwards BFZ: Minimum Spring Flow 1.68 cfs = 100 acre ft/month Modeled Available Groundwater: Edwards BFZ: 6,469 ac-ft/year Trinity: 7,068 ac-ft/year

8. DFC vs MAGDesired Future Condition VS Modeled Available Groundwater • District manages by the DFC and Modeled Available Groundwater. • DFC is based on monitor well effort and statistical data starting in 2000. • The DFC vs MAG is a part of the permitting process. • Efforts to not bust the MAG have been on going until defendable data on the DFC can be attained.

9. Managing What You Measure?

10. Annual Production 2013 • Non-Exempt wells report monthly usage • Preferred Method is Meters (exemption for Agriculture) • Table represents all Historic & Existing Use and Operating Permits combined on this table • Static water level measurement provisions to address changes in Aquifer Conditions

11. Bell County Wells By Aquifer 5034

12. District’s Use of Web Based Mapping

13. District Use of Technology Real time data keeping Bell County up to date!

14. 3D Model

15. 3D Model 4 Locations

16. Educational Efforts Education and outreach are important goals of Clearwater. During past 10 years, an estimated 80,000 students have been engaged by Clearwater through the following: Classroom presentations Essay/poster contest on water conservation Major River and Splash water education programs Book cover distribution Earth Day Activities

17. Current Projects • Adding monitor wells in both major aquifers in Bell County to continually monitor overall aquifer health. • Participate in the Salamander Studies with Stakeholders to assess the baseline data of the Edwards (BFZ) Aquifer and Salado Salamander habitat. • Pursuing grant funds for science based understanding. • Conducting studies of the Edwards BFZ recharge zone to determine what is needed to protect water quality. • Manage District Database with enhanced ArcGIS and web mapping public access to data thru website.

18. Issues Impacting the District • Drought (Voluntary Management Plan) • Conservation (Society Change) • Water Availability • Under Managed Groundwater Areas • Chisholm Trail SUD • Well Drillers and Pump Installers