xeriscaping… · what is a xeriscape garden? xeriscaping is a method of gardening that requires...

Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District

“Conserving Water for Future Generations”

Annual Report 2012-2013

Xeriscaping… Water Conservation

Through Creative

Landscaping

2

Table of Contents

Manager’s Address 3

Staff 3

Board of Directors 4

What is an Xeriscape Garden? 5

Study and Conservation Areas 6

More Crop For the Drop 7

Water Quality 8

Ag Loans 8

Regional 9

Time Tracking 10

Expenditures 10

Well Permitting & Registration 11

District Activity 12

Fiscal Year Timeline 13

Education 14

Precipitation Enhancement 15

District Activity 16-19

Our Mission

The Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District will strive to develop, promote and implement water

conservation, augmentation and management strategies to protect water resources for the benefit of the

citizens, economy and environment of the District.

3

Manager’s Address

Staff

Back row: Julie Bennett, Anita Haiduk, Drew Hodges, Korri Britten, Jennifer Puryear

Front row: C.E. Williams, Steve Shumate, Doug Kling

Conservation is always the center theme of our District, and that has been especially true during the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The Tex-

as Legislature was in session first of the year and most of the energy was focused on HB 4 which set up the funding mechanism and

reorganization of the Texas Water Development Board. Several bills concerning water conservation were passed, and they also

passed funding for projects identified in the Regional Water Plans.

The District had a rather busy, but routine year and continued all programs. The well permits

continued to be above average numbers but not as many as the 2011-2012 fiscal year numbers.

Water in the aquifers continued to decline in most areas and the Board added additional acre-

age to our Depletion Management Areas.

The Precipitation Enhancement program had a few more opportunities and showed better re-

sults in 2013, and there were fewer complaints about the program. We all hope the New Year

brings even more rain to our drought prone area.

The Panhandle Regional Water Planning group continued the work on the 2016 Regional Wa-

ter Plan by holding three meetings during the fiscal year. Major milestones were reviewed, and

we agreed on the population and demand numbers to be used in the updated plan.

During late summer and early fall many hours were spent working on the prioritization meth-

odology for the regional planning groups to use as required in HB 4. The Texas Water Conser-

vation Association first worked with members to jump start the program, and then the Regional Chairman were required by the bill

to agree on uniform standards to be used by all regions.

We all look forward to 2014 and the challenges that it will bring.

4

California Poppy

Eschscholzia californica

Height: 12 in.

Spread: 12 in.

Once established, minimum water

Board Members

John R. Spearman, Jr.

President

Chancy Cruise

Secretary

Charles Bowers

Director

Danny Hardcastle

Vice-President

Billy Van Crawford

Director

F.G. “Butch” Collard

Director

Bill Breeding

Director

Phillip Smith

Director

Jim Thompson

Director

5

Garden Sage

Salvia officinalis

Height: 18-24 in.

Spread: 12-18 in.

Low-moderate water

What is a Xeriscape Garden? Xeriscaping is a method of gardening that requires choosing the appropriate plants for the location which can be maintained with

little supplemental watering. Derived from the Greek term xeros which means dry, Xeriscape was coined during the 1970s in Den-

ver, Colorado, to mean water efficient landscaping. Well-designed xeriscapes can be enchanting and beautiful.

Some advantages to xeriscape gar-

dening include: lower water bills,

more water available for other uses

and other people, less time and work

needed for maintenance, and little or

no lawn mowing, Xeriscape plants,

along with proper bed design, tend to

take full advantage of rainfall. When

water restrictions are implemented

xeriscape plants tend to survive, and

increased habitat for native bees,

butterflies, and other fauna.

If you still desire a lawn in some

places of your landscaping, choosing

low-water or native grasses can save

water as well as many hours behind

the lawn mower. You can find these

grasses and other low water/low-

mow hybrid grasses at your local

garden center. The best choice is con-

sidered buffalo grass, and another

good choice is bermuda grass. Fescue

is not recommended for this area

since it may require up to three inches

of water a week during the summer.

PGCD xeriscape garden plans designed by our intern James Coffee, and implemented by Field Technician

Drew Hodges.

6

Study and Conservation Areas

Blanketflower

Gaillardia aristata

Height: 2-3 ft.

Spread: 2-3 ft.

Drought tolerant

The Board of Directors passed rules in December 2004 that defined the acceptable annual decline rate to be used to meet the 50/50

Management Standard, PGCD Rule 15, as 1.25 percent of saturated thickness per year. The 50/50 Management Standard ensures at

least 50 percent of the current supplies or saturated thickness of the Ogallala Aquifer remains after 50 years. This represents the

proper balance between existing needs for water and future needs, while also allowing the District to meet the desired future condi-

tion of the aquifer within the District’s boundary.

Depletion implementation began in 2005, with the staff evlauting the annual decline rates and recommending Study and Conserva-

tion areas as needed to the board. Being added into a Study Area signifies that the 1.25 percent annual acceptable decline was sur-

passed, and a Study Area will qualify to be considered as a Conservation Area if this criteria is met for a minimum of two years.

All new proposed study areas within the PGCD were approved by the board after the hearing on July 24 in White Deer, Texas. Sev-

eral constitutes attended the meeting to ask questions about how the study areas would affect them. The new study areas included 13-

2 and 13-4 in Carson County, 13-3 in Armstrong and Donley counties, 09-3-A10-M13, 07-3-A11-M13 and 05-4-A11-M13 in Don-

ley County, and 13-1 in Roberts County.

PGCD Study and Conservation Area map. Light blue areas are previously approved Study and Conservation Areas, and the light green are

areas that were approved in 2013. Only one Conservation Area is currently in place, and it is in Roberts County C11-1.

PGCD 2013 Study and Conservation Areas

7

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Height: 12-18 in.

Spread: 1-2 ft.

Drought tolerant

More Crop For the Drop The 2012 growing season marked the second year that

PGCD has conducted the More Crop for the Drop (MC4TD)

project. PGCD initiated the project in 2011 to establish and

conduct field scale crop productive demonstrations with

growers using advanced soil moisture monitoring, irrigation

system tracking technologies and on site data collection to

potentially reduce corn and cotton seasonal irrigation. Four

different cooperators, Lance Williams, Bill Gray, Larry

Koetting and Wade Ritter, conducted MC4TD demonstra-

tions on 625 acres.

Lance Williams, with good management, stretched his 500

gpm (gallon per minute) well to harvest 187 bushels of corn

per acre on 122 acres for his demonstration on the Crawford

West farm in Carson County. Irrigation totaled 22.65 inches.

The rain gauge recorded 5.66 inches of rainfall from planting until harvest,

with no rainfall from June 14 until August 10. Irrigation water was shared

with a quarter circle of cotton as well. Williams liked the soil moisture

probe but said its use would be best if it would rain and where irrigation

water is more plentiful than at his Crawford West farm.

Bill Gray harvested 167 bushels per acre from the 138 acres of corn in his

demonstration on his section 65 farm in Carson County. Irrigation totaled

23.90 inches that included 4.20 inches of pre-water applications. Total rain-

fall from planting until harvest measured 7.91 inches, but no rain fell for 57

days in June, July and August when climatic conditions created high daily

plant water use. Gray is satisfied with the yield, considering his irrigation

capacity of 4.0 gpm per acre and lack of rain. He added that the continuous

soil moisture readings provided by the probe guided him on where and

when to irrigate.

Larry Koetting harvested 163 bushels of corn per acre from his 115 acre

demonstration field on his Bradshaw farm in Carson County. Irrigation

totaled 20.93 inches and rainfall 7.44 inches. The yield was as good as it

has been for him since he began farming this site. The irrigation well

dropped gpm due to pump wear late in the season when more water was

needed. “Rainfall in July and August would have sure helped,” he said. In comparison, corn yields were 227 and 217 bushels per

acre in other fields Koetting farms and irrigation was similarly more.

Wade Ritter harvested 2009 pounds of lint cotton from his 250 acre demonstration field on the Simms Place in Carson County. Irri-

gation was 25.61 inches and rainfall 7.27 inches. Ritter planned for a minimum yield of 2000 pounds per acre, requiring irrigation

since no rain fell in July and August. In comparison, cotton yield on the Simms farm was about twice that on other fields Ritter

farms. Ritter said his cotton yields were directly related to available irrigation capacity in 2012. He recommends a soil probe be

placed in both cotton and corn where the same center pivot irrigates both crops.

Harvesting the 187 bu/acre corn on Lance Williams' Crawford West farm.

Who are the Cooperators?

In 2012

Four cooperating growers (listed to left)

in Carson County

3 corn on 373 acres

1 cotton on 250 acres

In 2013

Six cooperating growers

in Carson County

5 corn on 771 acres

3 cotton on 522 acres

Cooperators for 2013: Larry Koetting , Bill Gray,

Lance Williams, Wade Ritter, Dave Davis, Terry

O’Neil

8

Water Quality

Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Height: 2-3 ft.

Spread: 2-3 ft.

Low-moderate water

Ag Loans

A total of 323 water quality samples were tested during 2013 at PGCD. Of the 182 samples collected by our staff, six were high in

sulfate, 26 were high in iron, and 11 were high in chloride when compared to the state’s secondary drinking standards. All of the data

from the 182 samples was recorded in the database within 30 days of sampling.

The other 141 water samples were brought into the district office by individuals who had various concerns about their water includ-

ing specific contamination issues, odd odor/taste, establishing a baseline for the future and simple curiosity. Some of these individu-

als bring their water in annually or bi-annually for testing, and we have also seen an increase in requests from realtors selling proper-

ties with water wells that require a water quality report as part of the loan criteria.

State wells with a history of high mineral concentration are

tested annually. In an effort to conserve fuel and reduce

travel throughout the entire district, samples were taken

from Armstrong, Carson, Donley and Gray Counties this

year allowing our staff to collect 100 percent of the samples

in each county visited. Next year samples will be taken

from the other Potter, Roberts and Wheeler counties.

Samples were collected over a six week period. During this

period, a total of 379.5 hours were spent gathering samples,

analyzing them in the laboratory, and entering data.

PGCD is proud to offer water quality testing as a compli-

mentary service to District tax payers.

In 1992, PGCD began its agricultural loan program to

assist qualifying farmers in financing their irrigation

sprinklers. Since then, loans totaling $9,717,759.73 have

been disbursed. Between October 1, 2012 and Septem-

ber 30, 2013 the Board of Directors approved 19 loans

totaling $1,592,679.73 to local producers.

The District has received a total of 19 loans from the

Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). Twelve have

been repaid, one was returned and six are outstanding.

AG loan applications received by the District are re-

viewed within 30 day by Ag Loan Consultant Gary Suth-

erland. The date an administratively complete applica-

tion is received is notated on the application.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

Total Iron Sulfate Chloride Nitrate Flouride

Num

ber of

Sam

ple

s

Minerals Exceeding State Standards

Number of Samples Exceeding State Standards

2012

2013

$-

$200,000.00

$400,000.00

$600,000.00

$800,000.00

$1,000,000.00

$1,200,000.00

$1,400,000.00

$1,600,000.00

$1,800,000.00

$2,000,000.00

2005 2007 2008 2010 2011 2012

TWDB AG Loan Balances FY 2013

Original Balance

Current Balance

9

Himalayan Fleeceflower

Polygonum affine

Height: 6-10 in.

Spread: 30 in. plus

Adaptable

Texas Legislature Appropriations (SB 1)

The Texas Legislature retained current funding and staffing

levels for the Texas Water Development Board’s base and $1.8 million for FY 2014 and added $1.8 million for

FY 2015 out of the Agricultural Water Conservation

Fund for the Texas Alliance for Water Conservation

Demonstration Project, a partnership project in the Tex-

as Panhandle to enhance agricultural water efficiency to

extend the life of the Ogallala Aquifer.

$1.5 million for FY 2014 and $1.5 million for FY 2015 from

General Revenue to be used for grants to groundwater conservation districts for agricultural water conservation

(grants will go only to districts which require metering

of water use and may only be used to offset half the cost

of each meter)

Legislation - The Texas Legislature passed the following bills

and sent them to the Governor:

HB 4 (Ritter, et. al./Fraser) – among its extensive provisions

for establishing a new fund for implementation of the state water

plan and for restructuring the Texas Water Development Board,

HB 4 does the following:

Requires the TWDB to undertake to apply not less than 20%

of the money disbursed in each five-year period to sup-

port projects, including agricultural irrigation projects, that are designed for water conservation or reuse

Requires the TWDB to undertake to apply not less than 10%

of the money disbursed in each five-year period to sup-

port projects for rural political subdivisions or agricul-

tural water conservation

Prohibits the use of state financial assistance for a water pro-

ject if the applicant has failed to submit or implement a water conservation plan

Requires regional water planning groups in their prioritiza-

tion of projects for state financial assistance to consider

at a minimum such factors as the feasibility, viability,

sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of a project – fac-

tors which should work in favor of conservation projects

HB 3604 (Burnam, Lucio III/Hegar) – requires an entity to implement its water conservation plan and its drought contingen-

cy plan, as applicable, when it is notified that the Governor has

declared its respective county or counties as a disaster area based

on drought conditions; clarifies the authority of TCEQ to enforce

this requirement [previously the law only required the entity to

implement either plan, despite the fact that water conservation

should be an ongoing activity as contrasted to short-term re-sponses to drought conditions; during the 2011 drought a number

of entities in drought disaster areas reportedly did not implement

mandatory water use restrictions]

SB 198 (Watson/Dukes) – prevents a property owners’ associa-

tion (HOA) from prohibiting or restricting a property owner from

using drought-resistant landscaping or water-conserving natural

turf but allows an HOA to require the property owner to submit a

detailed description of a plan for the installation of such land-

scaping or turf for review and approval by the HOA to ensure to

the extent practicable maximum aesthetic compatibility with oth-

er landscaping in the subdivision; the legislation also states that the HOA may not unreasonably deny or withhold approval of the

plan or unreasonably determine that the proposed installation is

aesthetically incompatible

SB 700 (Hegar/Kacal, Raney) – does the following:

Requires the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) to

develop a template for state agencies and higher educa-tion institutions to use in preparing their respective com-

prehensive energy and water management plan (such a

plan is already required)

Requires each agency and higher education institution to set

percentage goals for reducing its use of water, electrici-

ty, gasoline, and natural gas and include those goals in

its energy and water management plan

Requires that plan to be updated annually (currently updates are required biennially)

Requires SECO biennially to report to the Governor and the

LBB the state and effectiveness of management and

conservation activities of the agencies and higher educa-

tion institutions

Requires SECO to post that report on its website

The following review of bills that directly affect Groundwater

Conservation Districts:

HB 1563 (Tracy King/ Heagar) Raised the fees of office

for directors of groundwater conservation districts to a

maximum of $250 per meeting.

HB 2414 (Button/Duell) relating to open meetings of gov-ernmental bodies held by videoconference call and to

written electronic communications between members of

a governmental body.

SB 293 (Williams/ Ritter) relating to open meetings of gov-

ernmental bodies held by videoconference call and to

written electronic communications between members of a governmental body.

10

Pink Hardy Ice Plant

Delosperma cooperi

Height: 6 in.

Spread: 24 in.

Once established, low water

Time Tracking

2012-2013 Expenditures Accounting Fees

Appraisal District Fees

Board Expense

Capitol Expense

Car Expense

Contract Labor

Dues

Education/Information

Field Equipment Assets

Field Supplies

Grant Fund

Insurance & Bonds

Janitorial

Meters

Miscellaneous

Office Supplies & Software

Payroll Expenses

$6,448.75

$28,072.52

$14,267.01

$22,566.23

$60,833.02

$412.50

$6,478.89

$29,762.72

$741.62

$4,225.01

$1,750.00

$64,030.59

$3,380.00

$55,178.52

$2,207.21

$20,350.38

$279.54

Payroll Taxes

Postage

Printing

Professional Services

Regional Planning

Repairs & Maintenance

Retirement

Salaries

Scholarships

Service Charges

Tax Increment Payment

Special Studies

Travel & Training

Utilities

Water Quality

Weather Modification

Total

$35,655.77

$5,282.82

$12,095.60

$62,978.71

$15,100.46

$13,571.79

$24,207.17

$439,843.70

$9,000.00

$293.00

$4,570.00

$11,333.33

$30,021.88

$16,323.70

$4,332.64

$219,741.58

$1,225,334.66

11

Well Permitting & Registration

Maiden Hair Grass

Miscanthus sinensis

Height: 4-10 ft.

Spread: 3-6 ft.

Adaptable

The District is currently working on a “permit application checklist”, somewhat like our Ag loan application checklist, that will help

the landowner in the application process. Some items on this checklist include application must be completed prior to drilling, total

contiguous acres associated with this water well, have any portion of the water rights on this land been sold, and a field tech from the

District office must come and verify

spacing of the well location from proper-

ty lines and other wells in the area. It is

important to remember that all water

wells drilled to the water table must have

a completed application before it is

drilled. The three most common water

well registrations are for domestic, stock

and rig supply wells. Wells drilled on

more than 10 acres and pumping less

than 17.4 gallons per minute require a

registration. Rig supply wells generally

produce more than 17.4 gallons per mi-

nute, but they are defined as an exempt

use in Chapter 36 of the Texas Water

Code. Any well that produces more than

17.4 gallons per minute must be permit-

ted, as well as any well drilled on less

than 10 acres. A permit requires the well

to be spaced both from property lines and

other water wells. Once the proposed

well location meets these requirements

and is approved by our field technicians

the application must be approved by the

Board of Directors.

Tables to the left show total water wells

permitted or registered with PGCD for

the 2012-2013 fiscal year and the four

previous years. The registrations and

permits are received by fax, mail and are

often brought in by the landowner or the

driller.

Over all, the total wells drilled, based on

the permitting process is down from the

previous year by 27 percent. The Moni-

toring Well registrations have decreased

from the previous fiscal year. There was

a decrease from 35 registered monitor

wells last year to 14 registered this year.

Well Permits Approved

2012-2013 2011-2012 2010-2011 2009-2010 2008-2009

Armstrong 4 4 2 3 2

Carson 32 27 18 4 20

Donley 28 38 27 12 16

Gray 27 29 14 11 27

Hutchinson 0 0 0 0 0

Potter 36 37 44 43 32

Roberts 0 5 2 5 4

Wheeler 26 22 29 8 14

Total 153 162 136 86 115

Domestic, Stock and Rig Supply Well Registrations Received 2012-2013 2011-2012 2010-2011 2009-2010 2008-2009

Armstrong 22 6 8 6 9

Carson 16 45 6 14 6

Donley 48 69 27 15 32

Gray 27 46 13 23 13


Potter 5 10 8 5 19

Roberts 18 19 28 26 50

Wheeler 55 99 80 64 38

Total 191 294 170 153 168

Observation and Monitoring Well Registrations Received 2012-2013 2011-2012 2010-2011 2009-2010 2008-2009

Armstrong 0 0 0 0 0

Carson 0 0 0 0 0

Donley 0 0 0 1 0

Gray 0 9 5 3 0


Potter 11 24 51 0 0

Roberts 0 0 0 0 11

Wheeler 3 2 7 2 0

Total 14 35 63 6 11

12

District Activity

Prairie Coneflower

Ratibida columnifera

Height: 18-24 in.

Spread: 12-18 in.

Low water

OCTOBER 2012 10/9 TWCA Legislative Committee Meeting in Austin

10/10 CRMWA meeting in Sanford

10/18 WCAC meeting in Austin adopting Council’s Report to the Legislature

10/24 TWCA fall meeting in San Antonio

10/25 Weather Modification conference in San Angelo via Skype

TALL Class Dinner Reception in Amarillo

10/29 TAGD quarterly meeting in Conroe

10/30 PGCD Carson County Water Festival in Panhandle

NOVEMBER 2012 11/3 Participated in Boy Scout Badge Day at Camp Don Harrington

11/5 Pantex meeting in Panhandle

11/17 Presentation on “Some Historic Drought Conditions versus Current Weather

Conditions at the Historical Prospective of the Dust Bowl and

the Drought of the 1950’s in Pampa

11/27 Amarillo Farm & Ranch Show

11/28 Gray County Ag Fair

11/28 High Plains Ag Committee meeting in Amarillo

DECEMBER 2013 12/4 IRS approval of the 2013 IRS Depletion map

12/5 TAGD Legislative meeting in Austin

12/6 TWCA Board meeting in Austin

12/10 Arc computer software training in Austin

12/11 Records Retention training in Amarillo

JANUARY 2013 1/6 AMS Conference in Austin, T. Boone Pickens giving speech

1/8 Weather Modification session in Austin

1/9 GMDA Conference in Austin

1/17 Irrigation Conference in Amarillo

WCAC meeting in Austin

Weather Modification presentation to Nation Weather Service

in Amarillo

1/23 Water Foundation meeting in Austin

1/24 TWRA-TWCA Water Law Conference in Austin

1/29 Senate Natural Resources meeting in Austin

FEBRUARY 2013 2/5 Legislative Session in Austin

2/12 Legislative Session in Austin


2/24 Ag Water Forum in Austin

2/26 TAGD Quarterly Meeting in Austin

2/28 High Plains GAM Stakeholders meeting in Amarillo

MARCH 2013 3/5 Ogallala Aquifer Workshop in Amarillo

3/6 TWCA meeting in Austin

WCAC meeting in Austin

3/7 Carson County Ag Fair

3/11 Public Funds Investment Act Workshop in Amarillo

C. E. Williams, left, Presiding Officer of TWCAC presented the awards

at the 2012 Farm and Ranch Show. Blue Legacy Award Winners —

Bob Meyer, David Brauer, Dr. Kevin Wagner, Nicholas Kenney, Scott

Strawn, Krysty Synatschk, J. R. Sprague Michael Bragg, and Brad

Easterling

Participant’s, Wade, Ritter, in the More Crop for the Drop program

2012 cotton crop which made 2009 ib./acre.

13

Fiscal Year Timeline

Red Valerian

Centrathus ruber

Height: 2-3 ft.

Spread: 18-24 in.

Low-moderate water



3/21 Presentation at Wheeler City Extension meeting on Drought

3/26 Legislative Session in Austin and Testified on numerous bills

APRIL 2013 4/3 Water Conservation presentation to Pampa Rotary Club

4/4 Domestic Water Conservation meeting at City of Amarillo

4/5 Regional Planning Committee meeting in Amarillo

4/8 House Natural Resources meeting in Austin



4/16 MC4TD meeting with producers at District Office

4/20 Conservation Awareness Booth at Amarillo Zoo


4/23 Water Conservation Program to Girl Scouts in Panhandle

Water Conservation Program to Pampa Desk & Derrick

Club in Pampa

4/24 City top 20 producers meeting in Amarillo

MAY 2013 5/4 Water Conservation Booth at Botanical Gardens


5/9 WCAC meeting in Austin


5/29 TAGD meeting in Austin

JUNE 2013 6/4 Water Conservation program at White Deer Library

6/19 TWCA meeting in Galveston

6/24 Pantex meeting on payment on lew of taxes

JULY 2013 7/18 Legislative planning committee meeting in Austin

7/19 PGCD hosted Water Efficiency Meeting with producers in District Office

7/23 GMDA 1 meeting in Amarillo

7/23 PRPC meeting in Amarillo

7/30 Interim Legislative meeting in Austin

AUGUST 2013 8/26 Water Conservation Advisory Council meeting in Austin

8/27 Presentation on permitting at TAGC meeting in San Marcos

SEPTEMBER 2013 9/4 TWCA Prioritization Committee meeting on Proposition 6 in Austin

9/9 Position of assistant Professor/Agronomist candidates review at Texas A&M

Extension Service in Amarillo

9/10 PGCD hosted Growers Meeting at the District Office

9/11 Position of assistant Professor/Agronomist candidates review at Texas A&M

Extension Service in Amarillo, second meeting

9/12 TWCA Prioritization Committee meeting on Proposition 6 in Austin

Texas Desalinization Conference in Austin

Girl Scouts in Panhandle draw about water conservation.

Growers meeting in PGCD Office September 10, 2013.

14

Education

Blue Woolly Speedwell

Veronica pectinata

Height: 3 in.

Spread: 18 in.

Low water with occasional soak

PGCD’s education program has

reached out to schools across the

District since 1999, educating our

youth on the importance of water

conservation.

The presentation covers topics

including water conservation, the

water cycle, aquifer knowledge,

where our water comes from ,

water facts and playa lakes.

Students get the opportunity to

share their knowledge about wa-

ter conservation and come up

with ways that they can conserve

water at home.

“I promise to turn the faucet off when brushing my

teeth, to take shorter showers, and to always be

conscious of water use. I will also teach my family

and friends about the importance of saving water.”

Atmosphere

Land

Soil

PGCD’s ultimate goal is to reach 100% of the students in our District. In

our management plan it is stated that our staff must reach at least 80%,

which is at least 37 out of the 52 schools, each year in our District. This

year we surpassed that goal by presenting to 46 of the schools.

Also stated in the management plan is to present the Water Warrior

Presentation to at least 3 public school settings outside of school. Our

staff presented at Window on a Wider World, the Carson County Water

Festival and the Gray County Ag Fair.

15

Precipitation Enhancement

Cosmos, Mexican Aster

Cosmos bipinnatus

Height: 2-4 ft.

Spread: 6-12 in.

Low water

2012 Season Flight Information

Days

Seed

Flights

Recon

Flights

Flight

Hours

April 7 4 5 14

May 3 2 3 6

June 6 7 3 19

July 6 7 3 21

August 5 6 0 17

September 4 3 1 7

Totals 31 29 15 84

The new year begins with hopes of more rainfall and cooler

temperatures, and anticipation that the record breaking weather

of 2012 will come to an end. According to the National Oceanic

and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2012 was the warm-

est year on record in the United States. Record heat was due to a

combination of a long-term warming trend combined with

drought and a northerly jet stream. NOAA reported that the av-

erage temperature for 2012 was 55.3 degrees Fahrenheit, which

is 3.2 degrees above normal and a full degree higher than the

previous warmest year on record, 1998. Limited rainfall also

continued to be a trend as about 60 percent of the United States

was listed in the moderate to extreme drought categories based

on the Palmer Drought Index at the end of November, according

the National Climatic Data Center. This percentage of drought

broke the second highest record of 58 percent set in 1956, but

remained below the first record set in 1934 at 79.9 percent.

As the United States as a whole broke records this past year, the

Texas Panhandle was no exception. During 2012, eight new

maximum temperatures were set from May to August, and on

August 3 the new monthly maximum was set at 107. According

to the National Weather Service in Amarillo, Texas, 2012 is

considered the second warmest year on record. Rainfall totals in

most areas were double the 2011 record low amounts, but still

only registered roughly half the normal rainfall totals. Amarillo

saw 12.33 inches of precipitation this year which is 8.03 inches

below normal, and White Deer saw 14.15 inches. Table 1 shows

the average amount of rainfall for the District’s counties from

April-September Rainfall Averages

Comparing 2010-2012 in Inches

2010 2011 Diff 2012 Diff

Armstrong 22.83 4.75 -18.08 12.62 7.87

Carson 24.04 5.69 -18.35 11.74 6.05

Donley 27.09 3.38 -23.71 14.78 11.40

Gray 23.13 4.83 -18.30 15.68 10.85

Potter 17.76 2.98 -14.78 9.07 6.09

Roberts 18.42 4.97 -13.45 12.21 7.24

Wheeler 25.54 4.79 -20.75 16.67 11.88

2010 to 2012 and how they compare.

These high temperatures and low rainfall totals are lasting ef-

fects of the La Niña that plagued the Texas Panhandle through-

out 2011, but finally dissipated in April 2012. The sea surface

temperatures moved from below-average or La Niña to slightly

above-average across the central and eastern Pacific signifying

the start of neutral conditions. These neutral conditions allowed

a few more storm systems to move across the Texas Panhandle

this summer providing several more precipitation enhancement

opportunities than 2011. The Panhandle Groundwater Conserva-

tion District’s (PGCD) Precipitation Enhancement Program

kicked off its thirteenth season on April 10, and concluded the

season on September 30. Table 2 shows the number of days

flown, seeding missions, reconnaissance flights and hours flown

per month through the 2012 season.

The seeding season was considered a success, providing on av-

erage a 10.5 percent rainfall increase per county according to

Active Influence and Scientific Management. This increase was

calculated using real-time rain gauge measurements collected

throughout the District, and by comparing the radar data of

seeded clouds to the non-seeded clouds. This increase calculated

to an average of 1.50 inches of additional rainfall per county

within the PGCD target area. Active Influence and Scientific

Management analyzed a total of 35 clouds in 25 operational

days. The results were evaluated as excellent with timing of

seeding at 86 percent. The cost of the program per acre was cal-

culated at $0.366.

16

District Activity

Clary Sage

Salvia sclarea

Height: 3 ft.

Spread: 1-2 ft.

Normally low. More in hot, dry

Management Plan Check List 2012-2013

Goal Goal Details Completed

1 Achieve the Desired Future Conditions Adopted by the PGCD

1.1a Winter Water Level Present-

ed to Board of Directors

837 WLM used to produce 1.25% saturat-ed thickness map and was presented to

the board. (05/17/13) completed

1.1B Evaluate the sum of declines Most recent saturated thickness map

developed and published. (2008) completed

1.1C Determine non-exempt water

pumping volumes annually and report to board

Amounts were determined, but not re-ported to the board.

not completed

1.2A Annual Review of depletion Study Areas presented to the board

(06/28/2013) completed

1.2B Update saturated thickness

map on district's webiste http://pgcd.us/programs/mapping completed

1.3A Presented a comprehensive technical work plan for the

Dockum Aquifer

See memo for change in direction on this goal.

completed

1.3B Baseline for Dockum Aquifer See memo for change in direction on this

goal. completed

1.4A Technical work plan for the

Blaine Aquifer and present to board

See memo for change in direction on this goal.

completed

1.4B Baseline for Blaine Aquifer See memo for change in direction on this

goal. completed

2 Providing for the most efficient use of groundwater

2.1A Measuer water levels in at

least 90% of the wells in the District's Network

826 measured of 874 wells (95%) by March 14

completed

2.1B Annual Depletion Map Published in the July 2013 Panhandle

Water News completed

2.1C IRS Depletion Map IRS Map 2012 approved on (12/04/12) completed

2.2A Ag Loan Reminder In Panhandle Water News (January 2013,

April 2013, May 2013) completed

2.2B Review ag loan applications

within 30 days Granted 19 loans at a total of

$1,592,679.73 completed

2.3A Publish Panhandle Water News on a quarterly basis

October 2012, January, April, May, July 2013

completed

2.3B Attend the Farm & Ranch

show each year 11/27/2012 completed

2.4A Attend and participate in 80%

of TAGD, TWCA and GMDA meetings

Out of 14 meetings, CE attended: 5 TAGD, 7 TWCA and 2 GMDA; 100%

completed

17

Globe Amaranth

Gomphrene globosa

Height: 10-20 in.

Spread: 10-20 in.

Once established, little water

2.5A Flow meter data for at least 90%

annually 541 of 569 meters were recorded. (95%) completed

2.5B Fix bad flow meters within 14 days

of notice All meters were serviced in a timely manner. See

memo for changes in measuring goal. completed

2.5C review and prepare revised esti-

mates to TWDB annual agriculture water estimates

Reported to TWDB 05/31/2013 completed

3 Controlling and Preventing Waste of Groundwater

3.1A

All complaints of waste will be recorded, investigated and report-ed to land owner within 2 business

days

One complaint. Reported and investigated the same day, December 17, 2012

completed

3.1B report each complaint to board with staff recommendation for

resolution

December 17, 2012 complaint was reported to the board on January 30, 2013.

completed

3.2A Summary review of at least 10% of

municipal water supply systems Recommendation to amend management plan by

removing this goal not accomplished

4 Implement Strategies to Address Drought Conditions

4.1A Ensure drought contingency plan

for multiple well permits

All prvevious permitted wells have drought con-tingency plans in place. CA-1083-A2-Multi ob-

tained extension for permit and drought contin-gency plan was included.

completed

4.2A Provide a link to the NOAA drought

monitor http://pgcd.us/links/ completed

4.3A Assessment of the MC4TD program reported to the Board of Directors

http://pgcd.us (03/22/2013) completed

5 Implement Strategies to Address Conjunctive Surface Water Management Issues

5.1 The district manager will partici-

pate in 75% of PWPG meetings and activities (2011-2016)

Attended 100% completed

6 Implement Strategies That Will Address Natural Resource Issues

6.1A Sample 40% of the water quality

network by September 1 each year 182 total samples were tested completed

6.1B Record water quality data in data-

base within 30 days sampling 323 water quality samples were collected and

recorded in the database completed

6.2A Record Stream flow measurements

bi monthly Recorded 8 measurements. completed

6.2B Prepare and include assessment of

impacts on White Deer Creek Completed 11/06/2012 completed

18

Continued...

Blue Flax

Linum perenne var. lewisii

Height: 12-18 in.

Spread: 12 in.

Low-moderate water

7 Improve Operating Efficiency and Customer Service

7.1A Provide requested flow tests within

two working days and enter into database

See memo for change in direction on this goal. completed

7.1B Managers action on well drilling permits within 5 working days of

receipt See memo for change in direction on this goal. completed

7.1C Efficiency Evaluations returned to

customer within three working days of test completions

See memo for change in direction on this goal. completed

7.1D Provide well camera service within 2 working days and archive DVD to

library See memo for change in direction on this goal. completed

8 Addressing Precipitation Enhancement

8.1A Annually conduct program from

April to September 30 April 9- September 30, 2012 completed

8.1B Calculate the baseline costs for the

program by December 1 of each year

$.0366/acre completed

8.1C Collect and record rain gauge read-

ing at least bimonthly completed

8.2A Publish an article about the pro-gram in at least 2 issues of PWN

January and July 2013 completed

8.2B Provide at least 2 article about the

program to all local newspapers Weekly Rain Report in White Deer Newspaper completed

8.2C At least 2 presentations annually to

a public or civic group Miami Lions Club (11/27/12), National Weather

Service (01/17/13) completed

9 Addressing Conservation

9.1A Annually make at least 10 civic

education presentations

White Deer Museum (11/17/12), Miami Lions Club (11/27/12), National Weather Service

(01/17/13), Wheeler County AgriLife (03/21/13), Pampa Rotary Club (04/13/13), Amarillo Zoo

(04/20/13), Girl Scouts (04/23/13), Pampa Desk & Derrick Club (04/23/13), White Deer Library (06/04/13), Window on a Wider World Day x3

completed

9.1B Annually make 37 elementary

school presentations Presented at a total of 46 schools within the dis-

trict completed

9.1C Annually provide at least 3 scholar-ships (student essay competition)

Winners: Zachary Berry of Panhandle, Tess J. Rusk of Panhandle and Kyler Barkley of Groom

(May 2013 PWN) completed

19

Yarrow

Achillea species

Height: 2-4 in.

Spread: 6 in. -3 ft.

Once established, drought tolerant

9.1D Water Warrior Presentation to at least 3 public school settings out-

side of school

Window on a Wider World day (10/16/12), Car-son County Water Festival (10/30/12), Gray

County Ag Fair (11/28/12) completed

9.1E Organize or co-host a conservation

symposium at least every other year beginning in 2012

Amarillo Civic Center (2/8/12) completed

10 Rainwater Harvesting

10.1A Webpage Highlighting the district's

rainwater harvesting system and information about tours

http://pgcd.us/programs/ completed

10.1B Provide a link to TWDB rainwater

harvesting webpage http://pgcd.us/links/ completed

11 Recharge Enhancement

11.1A Document the number of TWDB meetings held in the region and number attended by PGCD staff

Thee meetings documented and all attended by CE Williams.

completed

20

Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District

201 W 3rd/ P.O. Box 637

White Deer, Texas 79097

(806) 883-2501

www.pgcd.us

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