EAG-050 1/18

Basics of Water Law

Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist

Water law is one of the most contentious and of the property. The severed groundwater estate frequent legal issues Texas landowners face. As the can then be reserved (the seller of the property adage goes, “Whiskey is for drinkin’ and water is retains the groundwater ownership and sells his for fightin’.” Texas property owners need to under- or her remaining interest) or conveyed (a property stand the basics of Texas water law as well as their owner sells or otherwise transfers the groundwa- rights and legal limitations related to the use of ter ownership but retains ownership of the rest of water on their property. the property). If a property owner sells his or her Texas water law divides water into two broad property but retains the groundwater rights, the categories: groundwater and surface water. Dif- new purchaser owns the surface estate but not the ferent legal frameworks and regulatory structures groundwater. The seller who reserved that interest apply to each category, making Texas water law still owns the groundwater. more complex than other states that follow a single In 2016, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that a legal approach for all waters. severed groundwater estate—like a severed min- eral estate—is dominant over the surface estate.3 Groundwater This ruling is crucial for anyone owning or consid- ering purchasing property with severed ground- The Texas Water Code defines groundwater as 1 water rights. The result of this ruling is that absent “water percolating below the surface of the earth.” an express agreement to the contrary, an owner Nine major aquifers hold much of this ground- of a severed groundwater right has the automatic, water: Cenozoic Pecos Alluvium, Seymour, Gulf implied right to use as much of the surface of the Coast, Carrizo-Wilcox, Huaco–Mesilla Bolson, land as is reasonably necessary to produce the Ogallala, Edwards–Trinity Plateau, Edwards BFZ, severed groundwater. This right is limited by the and Trinity. accommodation doctrine, which requires a dom- Ownership inant estate holder to accommodate an existing surface owner if the surface owner can prove Absent an agreement otherwise, Texas landown- • mineral production substantially interferes ers own the groundwater beneath their property.2 with an existing surface use, Texas courts are clear that a landowner has a vested • minerals can be produced another way, and property right in groundwater. Although a land- • existing surface use canot be conducted in owner has the right to capture water from beneath another way. his or her property, this right does not ensure the right to capture a specific amount of groundwater. 1 Texas Water Code Section 36.001(5). Like other estates such as minerals, the ground- 2 Texas Water Code Section 36.002. water estate may be severed from the surface estate 3 Coyote Lake Ranch v. City of Lubbock, 498 S.W.3d 53 (Tex. 2016).

Applicable law The Rule of Capture governs groundwater law and provides that a landowner has the right to pump water from beneath his or her property, even at the expense of his or her neighbor. The Texas Supreme Court4 established this rule in 1904 when it found that a landowner had no legal remedy when a railroad company moved in next door, drilled a bigger, deeper well, and made the landowner’s well go dry. The landowner’s remedy, explained the Court, was to drill his own bigger, deeper well. But particular limitations on the Rule of Cap- ture apply—Groundwater Conservation Districts and common law rules. Groundwater Con- servation Districts (GCDs) are the “preferred method of groundwater management in Texas.”5 Although the Texas Constitution tasks the with managing the State’s natu- ral resources, the Legislature determined that allowing local control through GCDs would be Water ditch between rice fields.Source: Kathleen Phillips, Texas a better approach to groundwater management. A&M AgriLife. Thus, there are 98 GCDs across the state (see map on page 5). These districts manage ground- water within their bounds by developing plans • wells used solely to supply water for a rig and implementing rules related to groundwater actively engaged in drilling or exploration production. The rules differ by GCD but often operations for an oil or gas well permitted by include a permitting process for most groundwa- the Railroad Commission of Texas; or ter wells, some form of reporting requirement, • wells authorized by the Railroad Commis- and production rules such as spacing rules, pump sion of Texas or for production from the well size limits, or production limits. to the extent mining activities require with- 6 In addition to the rules for each district, a drawals. state statute, which is applicable across Texas, GCDs may not narrow any of these statutory makes specified wells exempt from the GCD per- exceptions but can broaden them. For example, a mitting process. Wells that are exempt under this GCD could have a rule that all domestic and live- statute are not requried to obtain a permit to drill stock wells are exempt from permitting, regardless from the local GCD, but may need to register and of the size of the tract or the pump involved. Each follow other district requirements. Exempt well GCD has its own set of rules that address these categories in Texas include issues. • wells drilled for domestic use or for provid- Before pumping groundwater, a Texas land- ing water for livestock or poultry if the well owner should determine whether his or her prop- is erty is located within a GCD and, if so, obtain a – located on a tract of land 10 acres or copy of the GCD local rules to ensure compliance larger; and when drilling a well and producing groundwater. – drilled, completed, or equipped to be 4 & T.C. Ry. V. East, 81 S.W.279 (1904). incapable of producing more than 25,000 5 Texas Water Code Section 36.0015(b). gallons per day; 6 Texas Water Code Section 36.117.

2 If a landowner is not in the bounds of a GCD, he ous and the stream may be dry for long periods or she need not worry about these types of regula- of time.”10 Landowners should carefully consider tions. whether runoff on their property is truly diffused Some common-law exceptions have developed surface water or if it meets the liberal definition of through court cases. These limitations, which apply surface water. state-wide, regardless of whether a GCD is in place in an area, prohibit a landowner from Ownership • maliciously taking water for the sole purpose The State of Texas owns surface water, held in of injuring his or her neighbor, trust for the citizens.11 The Texas Commission on • willfully or wantonly wasting groundwater, Environmental Quality (TCEQ) manages it. In • negligently drilling or pumping from a well in most cases, to use surface water, a landowner must a manner that causes subsidence, obtain a permit from the TCEQ allowing them to • pumping from a contaminated well, or use a designated amount of water for a designated • trespassing in order to pump groundwater.7 purpose. TCEQ will consider a number of issues, including whether there is unappropriated water Surface Water available in the basin, how the proposed diversion will impact other surface water permit holders, and Surface water includes all water “under ordi- whether the proposed diversion will be put to ben- nary flow, underflow and tides of every flowing eficial use. river, stream, lake, bay, arm of the Gulf of Mexico, Diffused surface water, however, is the property and stormwater, floodwater or rainwater of every of the landowner as long as it remains on the land- river, natural stream, canyon, ravine, depression, 8 owner’s property and may be used how he or she and watershed in the state.” A subcategory of sur- wishes until it reaches the defined watercourse, at face water is diffused surface water, also known as which time it becomes state-owned water.12 storm runoff or rain or snow. The key difference between surface water and Applicable law diffused surface water is whether a “defined water- The legal doctrine of prior appropriation course” exists. Under Texas case law, a defined governs the use of surface water, following the watercourse is made up of three elements: (1) bed principle of “first in time, first in right.”13 Essen- and banks, (2) current, and (3) permanent source 9 tially, prior appropriation means “first come, first and supply. The application of this test has been served.” When a person obtains a permit from the extremely broad, with the Texas Supreme Court TCEQ, that permit has a “priority date.” The TCEQ holding that a defined watercourse existed where maintains a database of all water rights. In times of the bed and banks were “slight, imperceptible or shortage, senior water users—those with the oldest absent,” the current of water was not “continu- priority date—receive all of the water to which they are entitled before junior users receive any. A water rights holder concerned that there will not be enough water to allow his or her permitted with- drawal may contact TCEQ and request a priority call, which is an order from TCEQ to junior water rights holders to stop diverting water.

7 See Sipriano v. Great Spring Waters of Am., Inc., 1 S.W.3d 75 (Tex. 1999). 8 Texas Water Code Section 11.021. 9 Hoefs v. Short, 273 S.W. 785 (Tex. 1925). 10 Hoefs v. Short, 273 S.W. 785 (Tex. 1925). 11 Texas Water Code Section 11.021. 12 Domel v. City of Georgetown, 6 S.W.3d 349 (Tex. Ct. App. – Austin 1999). Irrigated corn. Source: Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M AgriLife. 13 Texas Water Code Section 11.027.

3 Cattle resting and eating in the Panhandle after rains left green grass and full ponds. Source: Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M AgriLife.

Certain diversions of water are exempt from the • Reservoirs may be constructed as part of a sur- TCEQ permitting process, meaning that landown- face coal mining operation if they are used for ers may make these diversions of surface water sediment control and are in compliance with without obtaining a TCEQ permit. These exemp- applicable laws related to dust suppression. tions apply only on a non-navigable stream.14 For any navigable stream, all diversions require a per- Summary mit from the TCEQ. Under Texas law, there are Because legal issues surrounding water will not two alternative tests for navigability. To be deemed go away anytime soon, landowners should educate navigable, a watercourse need satisfy only one. themselves on the laws and their rights related to First, a watercourse can be “navigable in fact”—it 15 water use. The first step in analyzing water law issues can be used as a “highway for commerce.” Courts in Texas is to understand the different categories of have stated that waterways capable of floating water and the legal approaches to each. In Texas, the logs and travel by any boat are “navigable in fact,” 16 landowner owns the groundwater, subject in many despite “occasional difficulties in navigation.” areas to rules created by Groundwater Conservation Second, a watercourse can be “navigable in law”—it Districts. Landowners should determine whether maintains an average width of 30 feet from gradi- 17 they are in a GCD and, if so, review and understand ent boundary line to gradient boundary line. the rules of that district. When buying or selling Assuming a stream is non-navigable, the fol- property, all Texas landowners should be careful to lowing diversions do not require a permit: determine whether groundwater rights have been • Domestic or livestock uses can build a tank or severed. The State of Texas owns surface water and a reservoir of fewer than 200 acre-feet capacity permit from the TCEQ is generally required to divert for a noncommercial purpose. state-owned surface water. Diffused surface water • Commercial or noncommercial wildlife is storm runoff and may be captured and used by a management, including fishing, is allowed if landowner before it reaches a defined watercourse a tank or reservoir is less than 200 acre-feet and becomes state-owned water. in capacity.

• Diversions used for drilling or producing 14 30 Texas Admin. Code 297.21(c). petroleum may take water from the Gulf of 15 Taylor Fishing Club v. Hammett, 88 S.W.2d 127 (Tex. Ct. App. – Waco 1935). 16 Orange Lumber Co. v. Thompson, 126 S.W. 604 (Tex. Ct. App. – 1910) Mexico and adjacent bays and arms of the 17 Taylor Fishing Club v. Hammett, 88 S.W.2d 127 (Tex. Ct. App. – Waco 1935). Gulf of Mexico. 18 Texas Water Code Section 11.142.

4 SHERMAN

DALLAM HANSFORD OCHILTREE LIPSCOMB 61

35 HARTLEY MOORE HUTCHINSON ROBERTS

HEMPHILL Confirmed Groundwater Conservation Districts * 1. Bandera County River Authority & Groundwater District - 11/7/1989 GRAY OLDHA M 2. Barton Springs/ CD - 8/13/1987 PO T TER CARSON WH E ELER 64 3. Bee GCD - 1/20/2001 4. Blanco-Pedernales GCD - 1/23/2001 COLLINGSWORTH 5. Bluebonnet GCD - 11/5/2002 DEAF SMITH RANDALL AR MS TRONG DONLEY 6. Brazoria County GCD - 11/8/2005 56 7. GCD - 11/5/2002 8. Brewster County GCD - 11/6/2001

PA R MER CA STRO SWISHER BR IS COE HALL CHILDRESS 9. Brush Country GCD - 11/3/2009 10. Calhoun County GCD - 11/4/2014 11. GCD - 9/24/2005 HARDEMAN HALE 28 12. Clear Fork GCD - 11/5/2002 BA ILEY LA MB FLOYD MO T LEY COTTLE 13. Clearwater UWCD - 8/21/1999 WI CH ITA 37 FOARD 14. Coastal Bend GCD - 11/6/2001 CLAY 15. Coastal Plains GCD - 11/6/2001 MON TA GUE LAMAR RED RIVER CROSBY DIC KENS KI NG KN OX BAYLOR 75 16. Coke County UWCD - 11/4/1986 COCHRAN HOCKLEY LUBBOCK AR CHER COOKE FA NNIN GRAYSON 17. Colorado County GCD - 11/6/2007 79 BO W IE DE LTA 18. Comal Trinity GCD - 6/17/2015 YOAKUM TITUS WISE 62 85 JA CK 19. Corpus Christi ASRCD - 6/17/2005 LY NN KE NT STONEWALL HASKELL THROC KMORTON DENTON COLLIN YOU NG HOPKINS FRANKLIN 82 27 HUNT 20.MO R RIS Cow Creek GCD - 11/5/2002 TER RY 94 CASS GARZA CA MP 21. Crockett County GCD - 1/26/1991 ROCKWALL DAWSON RA INS 22. Culberson County GCD - 5/2/1998 G AI NES PA R KER 63 WO OD MA RION BO R DEN SC URRY JO N ES PA L O PINTO UP SHUR 47 12 SHACKELFORD STE P HENS 23. Duval County GCD - 7/25/2009 55 TARRANT F IS HER KAUFMAN 24. Edwards Aquifer Authority - 7/28/1996 VA N ZANDT HARRISON Confirmed Groundwater Conservation Districts * GREGG MIT CHELL HOOD 25. Evergreen UWCD - 8/30/1965 JOH NSON SM ITH 67 EL LIS ANDREWS MA RTIN 97 TAYLOR EASTLAND1. Bandera County River Authority & Groundwater District26. Fayette- 11/7/1989 County GCD - 11/6/2001 CALLAHAN HOW A RD 49 ERATH NOLAN 2. Barton Springs/EdwardsSOMERVELL Aquifer CDHENDERSON - 8/13/1987 27. Garza County UWCD - 11/5/1996 72 80 65 HILL NAVARRO 28. GatewayPA N OLA GCD - 5/3/2003 3. Bee GCD - 1/20/2001 RUSK GLA S SCOCK STE R LING 59 16 COM4. ANCHE Blanco-Pedernales GCD - 1/23/2001 29. Glasscock GCD - 8/22/1981 EC TOR MID LA ND BOS QUE 60 LO V ING WI NK LER RUNNELS ANDERSON CHEROKEE 29 COKE 5. Bluebonnet GCD - 11/5/2002 30. GoliadSHELBY County GCD - 11/6/2001 EL PASO 39 89 COLEMAN BR OWN 6. BrazoriaHAMI LTON County GCD - 11/8/2005FREESTONE 31. Gonzales County UWCD - 11/2/1994 CULBERSON 87 NA COGD OCHES LIM E STONE WA RD TO M G R EEN 7. Brazos Valley GCD - 11/5/2002 32. Guadalupe County GCD - 11/14/1999 CRANE 45 MILLS MC LE NNA N HUDSPETH SAN AUGUSTINE 40 8. BrewsterCORYELL County GCD - 11/6/2001 33.68 Hays Trinity GCD - 5/3/2003 REEVES UPTON CONCHO 57 83 HOUSTON SABINE REAGAN 9. Brush Country GCD -FALLS 11/3/2009 LEON 34.AN G EHeadwaters LINA GCD - 11/5/1991 IRION MCCULLOCH 84 77 SAN SABA 35. Hemphill County UWCD - 11/4/1997 22 10.LAMPASAS Calhoun County GCD - 11/4/2014 TRIN ITY MENARD BELL ROBERTSON NEWTON 11. Central Texas13 GCD - 9/24/2005 MADI SON 36. Hickory UWCD No. 1 - 8/14/1982 36 POLK CROCKETT 69 54 12. Clear Fork GCD - 11/5/2002MILAM 7 37. High PlainsJA S PER UWCD No.1 - 9/29/1951 11 T YL ER 41 58 SC HL EICHER WA LKER 21 MASON LLANO13. ClearwaterBU RNET UWCD - 8/21/1999 38. Hill Country UWCD - 8/8/1987 BRAZOS 51 JEFF DAVIS PECOS 43 14. Coastal BendWI LL IA MSON GCD - 11/6/200171 5 39. Hudspeth86 County UWCD No. 1 - 10/5/1957 G RIMES 90 15. Coastal Plains GCD - 11/6/2001BURLESON SAN JACINTO 40. Irion County WCD - 8/2/1985 KIMBLE SU TTON 38 4 HARDIN 16. Coke100 CountyTRAV IS UWCD LEE- 11/4/1986 48 41. Jeff Davis County UWCD - 11/2/1993 G ILL E SPIE 91 50 WASHINGTON MONTGOMERY 34 17.BL A NCOColorado County GCD - 11/6/2007 WALLER LIBERTY42. Kenedy County GCD - 11/2/2004 PR ES IDIO ED WA RDS 33 ORA NGE T ER RELL BASTROP 18. ComalHAYS Trinity GCD - 6/17/2015 KE RR 20 43. Kimble County GCD - 5/3/2002 73 BREWSTER VAL VERDE 74 19. Corpus2 Christi ASRCD26 - 6/17/2005AUSTIN 44. KinneyJEFFERSON County GCD - 1/12/2002 REAL KENDALL HARRIS COMAL 70 FAYETTE CHAMBERS 20.18 Cow CreekCALDWELL GCD - 11/5/2002COLO RA DO 8 1 BA ND ERA 45. Lipan-Kickapoo WCD - 11/3/1987 9321. CrockettGUADALUPE County GCD - 1/26/1991 31 17 46. Live Oak UWCD - 11/7/1989 22. Culberson32 County GCD - 5/2/1998 FORT BEND 24 GONZALES 47. UWCD - 11/3/1998 44 LAVACA WH ARTON GALVESTON 95 53 23.BEXAR Duval County GCD - 7/25/2009 48. Lone Star GCD - 11/6/2001 KI NNEY UVA LDE ME DINA 24. Edwards Aquifer Authority - 7/28/199614 49. Lone Wolf GCD - 2/2/2002 WI LSON 6 Confirmed Groundwater Conservation Districts * 25. Evergreen UWCD - 8/30/1965JACKSON BRAZ ORIA 25 66 50. Lost Pines GCD - 11/5/2002 1. Bandera County River Authority & Groundwater District26. Fayette - 11/7/1989 CountyDE W ITT GCD - 11/6/200192 15 51. Lower Trinity GCD - 11/7/2006 FRIO KA RNES Z AVA LA 27.ATASCOSA Garza County UWCD - 11/5/1996 2. Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer CD - 8/13/1987 96 MATA GORDA 52. McMullen GCD - 11/6/2001 3. Bee GCD - 1/20/2001 MAV E RICK 28. Gateway GCD - 5/3/2003VI CTORIA 3. Bee GCD - 1/20/2001 98 30 53. Medina County GCD - 8/26/1991 CA LH OUN 4. Blanco-Pedernales GCD - 1/23/2001 29. GlasscockBEE GCDGOLIAD - 8/22/1981 54. Menard County UWD - 8/14/1999 5. Bluebonnet GCD - 11/5/2002 DIM MIT 5230. GoliadLIVE OAK County GCD78 - 11/6/200110 55. Mesa UWCD - 1/20/1990 Unconfirmed Groundwater Confirmed districts are arranged in alphabetical order. LASALLE 3 Conservation Districts 6. Brazoria County GCD - 11/8/2005 MCMULLEN31. Gonzales46 CountyREFUGIO UWCDARANSAS - 11/2/1994 056. Mesquite25 50 GCD - 10011/4/1986 Dates indicate when district was7. established Brazos Valley by law or GCD election. - 11/5/2002 32. Guadalupe County GCD - 11/14/1999 57. Mid- GCD - 11/5/2002 99. Aransas County GCD + # 81 99 ° 8. Brewster County GCD - 11/6/2001 33. Hays Trinity GCD - 5/3/2003 58. MiddleMiles Pecos GCD - 11/5/2002 100. Southwestern Travis County GCD + & SAN PATRICIO * Districts that have, in whole or9. part, Brush authority Country as assigned GCD - 11/3/2009 34. Headwaters GCD - 11/5/1991 59. Middle Trinity GCD - 5/4/2002 JI M by Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code. Please refer NUECES + Pending Election Results 10. Calhoun County GCD - 11/4/2014 35. HemphillWELLS County19 UWCD - 11/4/1997 questions pertaining to individual10. districts Calhoun to the County district themselves. GCD - 11/4/2014 WEBB 23 DISCLAIMER: This map was generated60. Neches by the Texas & Trinity Water DevelopmentValleys GCD Board - 11/6/2001using 36. Hickory UWCD No. 1 - 8/14/1982 # Created by the 84th Legislature (http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/groundwater/conservation_districts)11. Central Texas GCD - 9/24/2005 DUVAL GIS (Geographical Information System)61. North software. Plains No claims GCD are - 1/2/1955 made to the accuracy 12. Clear Fork GCD - 11/5/2002 37. High PlainsKLEBERG UWCD No.1 - 9/29/1951or completeness of the information62. shown North herein Texas nor GCDto its suitability - 12/1/2009 for a particular & Created by the 85th Legislature use. The scale and location of all mapped data are approximate. Map date: DEC-2017 ** The subsidence districts are13. not Groundwater Clearwater Conservation UWCD - 8/21/1999 38. Hill9 Country UWCD - 8/8/1987 63. Northern Trinity GCD - 5/15/2007 Districts as defined under Chapter14. 36 Coastal of the Texas Bend Water GCD Code, - 11/6/2001but 39. Hudspeth County UWCD No. 1 - 10/5/1957 Subsidence Districts ** 14. Coastal Bend GCD - 11/6/2001 BROOKS 64. Panhandle GCD - 1/21/1956 have the ability to regulate groundwater production to prevent land 40. Irion County WCD - 8/2/1985 subsidence. (Senate Bill 1537 from15. Coastalthe 79th Legislative Plains Session).GCD - 11/6/2001 ZAPATA JI M H OGG 65. Panola County GCD - 11/6/2007 Harris-Galveston Subsidence District 42 16. Coke County UWCD - 11/4/1986 41. Jeff DavisKE NEDY County UWCD - 11/2/1993 66. Pecan Valley GCD - 11/6/2001 Fort Bend Subsidence District Groundwater Conservation District GIS Data created by the Texas 42. Kenedy County GCD - 11/2/2004 17. Colorado County GCD - 11/6/2007 TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT67. BOARD Permian Basin UWCD - 9/21/1985 Commission on Environmental18. Quality. Comal For more Trinity information, GCD - 6/17/2015 County Boundaries please contact TCEQ at 512-239-100018. Comal or [email protected]. Trinity GCD - 6/17/2015 88 43. Kimble76 County GCD - 5/3/20021700 North Congress Avenue | P.O.68. Box Pineywoods 13231 GCD - 11/6/2001 WI LL A CY Austin, Texas 78711-3231 19. Corpus Christi ASRCD - 6/17/2005 STARR44. Kinney County GCD - 1/12/2002 69. Plateau UWC and Supply District - 3/4/1974 20. Cow Creek GCD - 11/5/2002 45. Lipan-KickapooHID ALGO WCD - 11/3/1987 www.twdb.texas.gov 70. Plum Creek CD - 5/1/1993 512-463-7847 21. Crockett County GCD - 1/26/1991 46. Live Oak UWCDCAMERON - 11/7/1989 71. Post Oak Savannah GCD - 11/5/2002 22. Culberson County GCD - 5/2/1998 47. Llano Estacado UWCD - 11/3/1998 72. Prairielands GCD - 9/1/2009 23. Duval County GCD - 7/25/2009 48. Lone Star GCD - 11/6/2001 73. Presidio County UWCD - 8/31/1999 24. Edwards Aquifer Authority - 7/28/1996 49. Lone Wolf GCD - 2/2/2002 74. Real-Edwards C and R District - 5/30/1959 ConfirmedConfirmed Groundwater Groundwater Conservation Conservation Districts*Districts * 25. Evergreen UWCD - 8/30/1965 50. Lost Pines GCD - 11/5/2002 75. Red River GCD - 9/1/2009 1. Bandera County River Authority & Groundwater District 26.- 11/7/1989 Fayette County GCD - 11/6/2001 51. Lower Trinity GCD - 11/7/2006 76. Red Sands GCD - 11/5/2002 2.& Barton Groundwater Springs/Edwards District - 11/7/1989Aquifer CD - 8/13/1987 27. Garza County UWCD - 11/5/1996 52. McMullen GCD - 11/6/2001 77. Reeves County GCD - 11/3/2015 3. Bee GCD - 1/20/2001 28. Gateway GCD - 5/3/2003 53. Medina County GCD - 8/26/1991 78. Refugio GCD - 11/6/2001 4. Blanco-Pedernales GCD - 1/23/2001 29. Glasscock GCD - 8/22/1981 54. Menard County UWD - 8/14/1999 79. Rolling Plains GCD - 1/26/1999 33. 34. 5. Bluebonnet GCD - 11/5/2002 30. Goliad County GCD - 11/6/2001 55. Mesa UWCD - 1/20/1990 80. Rusk County GCD - 6/5/2004 35. Hays Trinity GCD - 5/3/2003 36. Heters GCD - 11/5/1991 31. Gonzales County UWCD - 11/2/1994 37. 6. Brazoria County GCD - 11/8/2005 31. Gonzales County UWCD - 11/2/1994 56. Mesquite GCD - 11/4/1986 81. San Patricio County GCD - 5/12/2007 Hemphill County UWCD - 11/4/1997 38. 39. Hickory UWCD No. 1 - 8/14/1982 7. Brazos Valley GCD - 11/5/2002 32. Guadalupe County GCD - 11/14/1999 57. Mid-East Texas GCD - 11/5/2002 82. Sandy Land UWCD - 11/7/1989 High Plains UWCD No.1 - 9/29/1951 40. Hill Country UWCD - 8/8/1987 41. 33. Hays Trinity GCD - 5/3/2003 Hudspeth County UWCD No. 1 - 10/5/1957 8. Brewster County GCD - 11/6/2001 33. Hays Trinity GCD - 5/3/2003 58. Middle Pecos GCD - 11/5/2002 83. Santa Rita UWCD - 8/19/1989 42. Irion County WCD - 8/2/1985 Jeff Davis County UWCD - 11/2/1993 9. Brush Country GCD - 11/3/2009 34. Headwaters GCD - 11/5/1991 59. Middle Trinity GCD - 5/4/2002 84. Saratoga UWCD - 11/7/1989 Kenedy County GCD - 11/2/2004 10. Calhoun County GCD - 11/4/2014 35. Hemphill County UWCD - 11/4/1997 60. Neches & Trinity Valleys GCD - 11/6/2001 85. South Plains UWCD - 2/8/1992 43. Kimble County GCD - 5/3/2002 11. Central Texas GCD - 9/24/2005 36. Hickory UWCD No. 1 - 8/14/1982 61. North Plains GCD - 1/2/1955 86. GCD - 11/2/2004 44. Kinney County GCDGuadalupe - 1/12/2002 County12. Clear GCD -Fork 11/14/1999 GCD - 11/5/2002 37. High Plains UWCD No.1 - 9/29/1951 62. GCD - 12/1/2009 87. Southern Trinity GCD - 6/19/2009 45. Lipan-Kickapoo WCD - 11/3/198713. Clearwater UWCD - 8/21/1999 38. Hill Country UWCD - 8/8/1987 63. Northern Trinity GCD - 5/15/2007 88. Starr County GCD - 1/6/2007 46. Live Oak UWCD - 11/7/1989 39. Hudspeth County UWCD No. 1 - 10/5/1957 89. Sterling County UWCD - 11/3/1987 47. Llano Estacado UWCD - 11/3/199814. Coastal Bend GCD - 11/6/2001 39. Hudspeth County UWCD No. 1 - 10/5/1957 64. Panhandle GCD - 1/21/1956 15. Coastal Plains GCD - 11/6/2001 40. Irion County WCD - 8/2/1985 65. Panola County GCD - 11/6/2007 90. Sutton County UWCD - 4/5/1986 Confirmed48. Lone Groundwater Star GCD - 11/6/2001 Conservation tricts * 49. Lone Wolf GCD - 2/2/2002 16. Coke County UWCD - 11/4/1986 41. Jeff Davis County UWCD - 11/2/1993 66. Pecan Valley GCD - 11/6/2001 91. Terrell County GCD - 11/6/2012 50. Lost Pines GCD - 11/5/2002 17. Colorado County GCD - 11/6/2007 42. Kenedy County GCD - 11/2/2004 67. Permian Basin UWCD - 9/21/1985 92. Texana GCD - 11/6/2001 51. Lower Trinity GCD - 11/7/2006 52. McMullen GCD - 11/6/2001 18. Comal Trinity GCD - 6/17/2015 43. Kimble County GCD - 5/3/2002 68. Pineywoods GCD - 11/6/2001 93. Trinity Glen Rose GCD - 11/5/2002 19. Corpus Christi ASRCD - 6/17/2005 44. Kinney County GCD - 1/12/2002 69. Plateau UWC and Supply District - 3/4/1974 94. Upper Trinity GCD - 11/6/2007 20. Cow Creek GCD - 11/5/2002 45. Lipan-Kickapoo WCD - 11/3/1987 70. Plum Creek CD - 5/1/1993 95. Uvalde County UWCD - 9/1/1993 21. Crockett County GCD - 1/26/1991 46. Live Oak UWCD - 11/7/1989 71. Post Oak Savannah GCD - 11/5/2002 96. Victoria County GCD - 8/5/2005 22. Culberson County GCD - 5/2/1998 47. Llano Estacado UWCD - 11/3/1998 72. Prairielands GCD - 9/1/2009 97. Wes-Tex GCD - 11/5/2002 23. Duval County GCD - 7/25/2009 48. Lone Star GCD - 11/6/2001 73. Presidio County UWCD - 8/31/1999 98. Wintergarden GCD - 1/17/1998 24. Edwards Aquifer Authority - 7/28/1996 49. Lone Wolf GCD - 2/2/2002 74. Real-Edwards C and R District - 5/30/1959 25. Evergreen UWCD - 8/30/1965 50. Lost Pines GCD - 11/5/2002 75. Red River GCD - 9/1/2009 26. Fayette County GCD - 11/6/2001 51. Lower Trinity GCD - 11/7/2006 76. Red Sands GCD - 11/5/2002 27. Garza County UWCD - 11/5/1996 52. McMullen GCD - 11/6/2001 77. Reeves County GCD - 11/3/2015 Groundwater28. Gateway GCD - conservation5/3/2003 districts. Source:53. Medina Texas County Water GCD Development - 8/26/1991 Board 78. Refugio GCD - 11/6/2001 29. Glasscock GCD - 8/22/1981 54. Menard County UWD - 8/14/1999 79. Rolling Plains GCD - 1/26/1999 30. Goliad County GCD - 11/6/2001 55. Mesa UWCD - 1/20/1990 80. Rusk County GCD - 6/5/2004 31. Gonzales County UWCD - 11/2/1994 56. Mesquite GCD - 11/4/1986 81. San Patricio County GCD - 5/12/2007 32. Guadalupe County GCD - 11/14/1999 57. Mid-East Texas GCD - 11/5/2002 82. Sandy Land UWCD - 11/7/1989 33. Hays Trinity GCD - 5/3/2003 58. Middle Pecos GCD - 11/5/2002 83. Santa Rita UWCD - 8/19/1989 34. Headwaters GCD - 11/5/1991 59. Middle Trinity GCD - 5/4/2002 84. Saratoga UWCD - 11/7/1989 35. Hemphill County UWCD - 11/4/1997Cover photo:60. Sprinkler Neches & Trinity irrigation. Valleys GCD Source:- 11/6/2001 Kay Ledbetter,85. South Plains Texas UWCD A&M - 2/8/1992AgriLife Research 36. Hickory UWCD No. 1 - 8/14/1982 61. North Plains GCD - 1/2/1955 86. Southeast Texas GCD - 11/2/2004 37. High Plains UWCD No.1 - 9/29/1951 62. North Texas GCD - 12/1/2009 87. Southern Trinity GCD - 6/19/2009 38. Hill Country UWCD - 8/8/1987 63. Northern Trinity GCD - 5/15/2007 88. Starr County GCD - 1/6/2007 39. Hudspeth County UWCD No. 1 - 10/5/1957 64. Panhandle GCD - 1/21/1956 89. Sterling County UWCD - 11/3/1987 40. Irion County WCD - 8/2/1985 65. Panola County GCD - 11/6/2007 90. Sutton County UWCD - 4/5/1986 41. Jeff Davis County UWCD - 11/2/1993Texas A&M AgriLife66. Pecan Extension Valley GCD -is 11/6/2001 an equal opportunity91. Terrellemployer County and GCD program- 11/6/2012 provider. 42. Kenedy County GCD - 11/2/2004 67. Permian Basin UWCD - 9/21/1985 92. Texana GCD - 11/6/2001 43. Kimble County GCD - 5/3/2002 68. Pineywoods GCD - 11/6/2001 93. Trinity Glen Rose GCD - 11/5/2002 44. Kinney County GCD - 1/12/2002 69. Plateau UWC and Supply District - 3/4/1974 94. Upper Trinity GCD - 11/6/2007 45. Lipan-Kickapoo WCD - 11/3/1987 70. Plum Creek CD - 5/1/1993 5 95. Uvalde County UWCD - 9/1/1993 46. Live Oak UWCD - 11/7/1989 71. Post Oak Savannah GCD - 11/5/2002 96. Victoria County GCD - 8/5/2005 47. Llano Estacado UWCD - 11/3/1998 72. Prairielands GCD - 9/1/2009 97. Wes-Tex GCD - 11/5/2002 48. Lone Star GCD - 11/6/2001 73. Presidio County UWCD - 8/31/1999 98. Wintergarden GCD - 1/17/1998 49. Lone Wolf GCD - 2/2/2002 74. Real-Edwards C and R District - 5/30/1959 50. Lost Pines GCD - 11/5/2002 75. Red River GCD - 9/1/2009 51. Lower Trinity GCD - 11/7/2006 76. Red Sands GCD - 11/5/2002 52. McMullen GCD - 11/6/2001 77. Reeves County GCD - 11/3/2015 53. Medina County GCD - 8/26/1991 78. Refugio GCD - 11/6/2001 54. Menard County UWD - 8/14/1999 79. Rolling Plains GCD - 1/26/1999 55. Mesa UWCD - 1/20/1990 80. Rusk County GCD - 6/5/2004 56. Mesquite GCD - 11/4/1986 81. San Patricio County GCD - 5/12/2007 57. Mid-East Texas GCD - 11/5/2002 82. Sandy Land UWCD - 11/7/1989 58. Middle Pecos GCD - 11/5/2002 83. Santa Rita UWCD - 8/19/1989 59. Middle Trinity GCD - 5/4/2002 84. Saratoga UWCD - 11/7/1989 60. Neches & Trinity Valleys GCD - 11/6/2001 85. South Plains UWCD - 2/8/1992 61. North Plains GCD - 1/2/1955 86. Southeast Texas GCD - 11/2/2004 62. North Texas GCD - 12/1/2009 87. Southern Trinity GCD - 6/19/2009 63. Northern Trinity GCD - 5/15/2007 88. Starr County GCD - 1/6/2007 64. Panhandle GCD - 1/21/1956 89. Sterling County UWCD - 11/3/1987 65. Panola County GCD - 11/6/2007 90. Sutton County UWCD - 4/5/1986 66. Pecan Valley GCD - 11/6/2001 91. Terrell County GCD - 11/6/2012 67. Permian Basin UWCD - 9/21/1985 92. Texana GCD - 11/6/2001 68. Pineywoods GCD - 11/6/2001 93. Trinity Glen Rose GCD - 11/5/2002 69. Plateau UWC and Supply District - 3/4/1974 94. Upper Trinity GCD - 11/6/2007 70. Plum Creek CD - 5/1/1993 95. Uvalde County UWCD - 9/1/1993 71. Post Oak Savannah GCD - 11/5/2002 96. Victoria County GCD - 8/5/2005 72. Prairielands GCD - 9/1/2009 97. Wes-Tex GCD - 11/5/2002 73. Presidio County UWCD - 8/31/1999 98. Wintergarden GCD - 1/17/1998 74. Real-Edwards C and R District - 5/30/1959 75. Red River GCD - 9/1/2009 76. Red Sands GCD - 11/5/2002 77. Reeves County GCD - 11/3/2015 78. Refugio GCD - 11/6/2001 79. Rolling Plains GCD - 1/26/1999 80. Rusk County GCD - 6/5/2004 81. San Patricio County GCD - 5/12/2007 82. Sandy Land UWCD - 11/7/1989 83. Santa Rita UWCD - 8/19/1989 84. Saratoga UWCD - 11/7/1989 85. South Plains UWCD - 2/8/1992 86. Southeast Texas GCD - 11/2/2004 87. Southern Trinity GCD - 6/19/2009 88. Starr County GCD - 1/6/2007 89. Sterling County UWCD - 11/3/1987 90. Sutton County UWCD - 4/5/1986 91. Terrell County GCD - 11/6/2012 92. Texana GCD - 11/6/2001 93. Trinity Glen Rose GCD - 11/5/2002 94. Upper Trinity GCD - 11/6/2007 95. Uvalde County UWCD - 9/1/1993 96. Victoria County GCD - 8/5/2005 97. Wes-Tex GCD - 11/5/2002 98. Wintergarden GCD - 1/17/1998