Why We Monitor Groundwater
Monitoring and data collection help the district understand how groundwater levels change over time and what factors influence the health of the aquifer.
By tracking rainfall, recharge conditions, and water levels in local wells, the district can identify trends, anticipate potential issues, and make informed decisions that protect groundwater availability and water quality for Panola County residents.
The information below explains how recharge works in our area and what current data tells us about the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer.
How Groundwater Recharges in Panola County
What Is Aquifer Recharge?
Recharge describes how an aquifer gains water from surface sources, such as rainfall and rivers, or from subsurface sources, such as other aquifers. When recharge occurs, groundwater levels rise closer to the ground surface, and artesian pressure typically increases.
The PCGCD monitors recharge-related factors, including precipitation and water levels in local water wells.
Rain Gauges
The PCGCD has 5 rain gauges in Panola County, located in Deadwood, DeBerry, Rock Hill, Clayton, and Carthage. At the end of each month, the precipitation recorded by each gauge is averaged to give an approximate rainfall amount for the county.
Rain Gauge Graphs
The graphs below compare the data recorded by the PCGCD with those reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for our area.
The link below provides a graph of the annual cumulative precipitation totals for the Carthage weather station, dating back to the 1950s, courtesy of the Southern Regional Climate Center. This graph provides interesting insights into our local wettest and driest years and long-term patterns.
Drought Monitoring
Drought is a major influence on all water sources. When precipitation becomes sparse, surface water and groundwater conservation remain crucial in meeting water demands. Provided below is a link to the U.S. Drought Monitor for Texas, a useful tool for tracking state and local drought conditions week-to-week.
Current Status of Panola County: D2 Severe Drought
The U.S. Drought Monitor is produced through a partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Well Monitoring
The PCGCD currently has 58 monitor wells spaced throughout the county, which are used to measure water levels once each month.
The Texas Water Development Board has 15 annual monitor wells in Panola County, all of which have been adopted by the District in order to supplement our database. Below are links to graphs showing the average monthly and annual changes in water levels county-wide.
Each year, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) collects water-level data from nearly 2,000 wells, tracking changes in all 30 major and minor aquifers across the state.
Through collaborative efforts with 50 groundwater conservation districts, the US Geological Survey, municipalities, and well owners, over 10,000 measurements are recorded annually in the TWDB groundwater database.
In Panola County, the TWDB has checked about 15 monitor wells annually since the 1970s. This dataset provides valuable local context on the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer's evolution over the years.
Recharge
Pages 7-8 of the District Management Plan information from the Texas Water Development Board pertaining to recharge.
Total recharge from precipitation for the Carrizo-Wilcox is 25,771 acre-feet per year.
Total discharge from the aquifer to the surface (springs, lakes, rivers, etc.) is 5,939 acre-feet per year.
Total flow into the District via the subsurface: 3,319 acre-feet per year.
Total flow out of the District via the subsurface: 1,014 acre-feet per year.
Net hydrologic gain (not accounting for pumping): 22,137 acre-feet per year.
Additional Links
*Images from the Illinois State Water Survey
