The Edwards Trinity Aquifer, which serves most of Glasscock County, has risen six feet since 1983, including a one-foot loss from 1998 to 1999, according to Rick Harston, GCUWCD Manager. The Ogallala Aquifer, serving the northwest part of the county, has risen over four feet since 1984, including a three- foot loss from ’98 to ’99. The Edwards Trinity Aquifer in northern Reagan County has dropped eight feet since 1983, including a gain of slightly over one-foot from ’98 to ‘99.
The data comes from measurements taken from approximately 60 wells around the water district’s service area, which includes all of Glasscock County and parts of northern Reagan County. Measurements have been taken and recorded since 1953, but Harston is not confident of the numbers prior to 1983, which is two years after the GCUWCD was created, and measurements began being taken in a systematic way. Prior to 1983, Harston says measurements were taken at different times of the year, were sometimes taken when irrigation pumps were running, and in the 1950’s, only 4 or 5 wells were measured. Harston measures the wells from November to early January.
Graphs of the water tables are available in the water district office.