Ricky Harston, general manager of the Glasscock Groundwater Conservation District, presented his annual report of the district’s action plan to the district’s board of directors (Mike Hughes absent) at its meeting Jan. 14. Some of the information from that report follows. Fifty-eight water analyses were performed during fiscal year 2002 at an average cost near $30 each; 24 mineral and 34 coliform analyses were done.
Of the 76 water wells in the district’s water level monitoring network, 73 were measured. Two new water wells were permitted (more pending) and one well was registered. (New wells which pump less than 18 gallons per minute, generally for household or livestock use, must be registered but do not have to be permitted.)
Harston reported that four producers used the district’s Topcon mapping equipment, mapping 814 acres, and the laser plane leveling equipment was used four times.
A 2002 evaluation report from the West Texas Weather Modification Association was also discussed, and a copy is available in the water district office for public review. According to that report, 285 clouds were seeded in 47 operational days from March through October. The report states that missed opportunities represented 6 percent of seedable clouds for the season.
Harston reported that his water level measurements for 2002 are almost complete, with the Edwards Trinity aquifer showing a decline of two feet from the year before, the Edwards in Reagan County down a little over one inch, and the Ogallala down about 9 inches.
Harston reported that the Howard-Martin water district had inquired about consolidating with Glasscock County’s district. The board discussed the idea, but does not favor a merger.