GMA#2

Groundwater Management Area 2 (GMA 2) is one of 16 groundwater management areas in Texas. It covers a large portion of the South Plains region of Texas.

The process of adopting a Desired Future Condition (DFC) was established by the Texas Legislature in 2005 and requires groundwater conservation districts within their respective GMA to establish DFCs for relevant aquifers at least once every five years.

Texas Water Code § 35.001 states that groundwater management areas may be created “to provide for the conservation, preservation, protection, recharging, and prevention of water of the groundwater, and of groundwater reservoirs or their subdivisions.”

Learn more here

DFCs

GMA 2 Process

The Desired Future Conditions (DFC) process is a vital part of the state’s overall water planning.

  • All groundwater conservation districts (GCDs) in a groundwater management area (GMA) must meet at least annually for joint planning purposes.
  • Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) are developed during the joint planning process. This results in a “big picture plan” for future aquifer conditions.
  • Groundwater levels, amount of groundwater in storage, desired spring flow, or base flow to rivers and streams are all factors that can be considered in setting DFCs.
  • After the DFC is determined, the proposed DFC and supporting data are sent to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) in Austin.
  • TWDB staff translate the DFC into an estimate of the amount of managed available groundwater (MAG).
  • Regional Water Planning Groups use the area’s MAG to evaluate potential needs of water user groups during a 50-year planning horizon.

ADOPTED DFCs - 2021

Representatives of Groundwater Management Area 2 adopted the proposed desired future conditions at their March 25, 2021 virtual meeting.

  • A GMA 2-wide average drawdown of 28 feet between 2013 and 2080 for the Ogallala and Edwards-Trinity (High Plains) Aquifers.
  • A GMA 2-wide average drawdown of 31 feet between 2013 and 2080 for the Dockum Aquifer.

The process of adopting a DFC was established by the Texas Legislature in 2005 and requires groundwater conservation districts to establish DFCs for relevant aquifers at least once every five years.

CLICK HERE to read the FINAL Explanatory Report for Desired Future Conditions – Ogallala, Edwards-Trinity (High Plains) and Dockum Aquifers, Groundwater Management Area 2.

AQUIFER INFO/MAP

Ogallala Aquifer

  • The major aquifer in GMA 2.
  • Groundwater in the Ogallala Aquifer in the Texas Panhandle flows from northwest to southeast at about 100 to 150 feet per year under natural conditions.
  • The amount of water bearing material (“saturated thickness”) can vary greatly—depending upon the spatial arrangement of rivers and valleys when the sediments were deposited. Because of this, the saturated thickness of the aquifer in GMA 2 can change over a very short distance.
  • Playa lakes that fill with rainwater are primary recharge points for the Ogallala Aquifer in GMA 2.
  • Estimated recharge to the Ogallala Aquifer in GMA 2 can vary from 1/4 inch to 2 ¼ inches per year.
  • Click here for more information about the Ogallala Aquifer.
  • Click here for a map of the Ogallala Aquifer.

Edwards-Trinity (High Plains) Aquifer

Dockum Aquifer

MEMBERS

GMA 2 is comprised of members from these seven groundwater conservation districts

Click here to see a map

GCD Name Service Area Website
Garza County UWCD Garza County www.garzacounty.net/page/uwcd.county.programs
High Plains UWCD All or part of 16 counties www.hpwd.org
Llano Estacado UWCD Gaines County www.llanoestacadouwcd.org
Mesa UWCD Dawson County sites.google.com/view/mesa-uwcd/home
Permian Basin UWCD All of Martin County and most of Howard County www.pbuwcd.com
Sandy Land UWCD Yoakum County www.sandylandwater.com
South Plains UWCD Terry County and a portion of Hockley County www.spuwcd.org

GMA 2 Members

High Plains Underground Water Conservation District #1
Jason Coleman, P.E. - General Manager and GMA 2 Administrator
Ronnie Hopper - Voting Delegate
2930 Avenue Q, Lubbock, TX 79411
806.762.0181

South Plains Underground Water Conservation District
Layne Marlow - General Manager
Matt Hogue - Voting Delegate
PO Box 986, Brownfield, TX 79316
806.637.7467

Mesa Underground Water Conservation District
Jacob Hernandez - General Manager
Matt Farmer - Voting Delegate
PO Box 497, Lamesa, TX 79331
806.872.9205

Garza County Underground Water Conservation District
Dicky Wallace - Voting Delegate
300 West Main Street, Post, TX 79356
806.495.4425

Llano Estacado Underground Water Conservation District
Lori Barnes - General Manager
Weldon Shook - Voting Delegate
200 SE Ave. C, Seminole, TX 79360
432.758.1127

Permian Basin Underground Water Conservation District
Dallen Skinner - General Manager
Dallen Skinner - Voting Delegate
PO Box 1314, Stanton, TX 79782
432.756.2136

Sandy Land Underground Water Conservation District
Amber Blount - General Manager
Ross Hilburn - Voting Delegate
PO Box 130, Plains, TX 79355
806.456.2155

AGENDAS AND MINUTES

2024

March 26

2023

October 23

2022

October 18

2021

August 17
March 25
January 25

2020

May 19

2019

October 22
September 24

2018

November 15

2017

October 23

2016

October 19
March 10
January 6

2015

April 29
January 23

2014

December 17
October 23

2013

December 18

2012

December 19

2011

November 16

2010

August 5
  • Meeting 1
  • Meeting 2
July 21
  • Meeting 1
  • Meeting 2
March 25

2009

August 20
March 25

2008

June 18

2007

December 18
September 13

2006

December 14
July 28
April 28

GAM RUNS

RESOLUTIONS