Rusk County Groundwater
Conservation District
AQUIFER MONITORING
The Rusk County Groundwater Conservation District has been monitoring 15 wells throughout Rusk County since 2006. The purpose of these monitor wells is to monitor the level of the aquifers located under Rusk County.
NEW MONITOR WELLS
Starting in second quarter of 2009, the District has added over 100 wells to this monitoring program. These additional wells do not have pumps in them yielding an excellent indication of the change in static water level. They are monitored quarterly This data is available on our web site grouped by quadrangle.
To view this data and learn more about aquifer monitoring click here.
Electric Logging Equipment
The Rusk County Groundwater Conservation District in our mission to further our knowledge of groundwater storage in Rusk County, purchased Electric Logging Equipment that is assisting us in mapping the water sands. The data collected will be combined with Electric Logs obtained from oil/gas drilling operations adding one more piece of the puzzle in our goal to understand the properties of our precious groundwater resource . Data collection began in September 2009 after training of our staff in the use of the equipment. The use of this new equipment will provide quantitative and qualitative data on the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer that will allow us to better manage this precious resource.
WATER WELLS FOR OIL/GAS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION
UPDATE
RCGCD Rule 9.2.5 requiring exploration/operating companies to either plug or have inspected water wells used for oil/gas exploration has been a huge success. As of July 1, 2010 over 425 of these wells have been plugged. We have inspected over 310 additional wells with our “Down Hole” camera to insure that these wells were constructed in accordance with TDLR rules preventing co-mingling of water zones. Exploration/Operating companies have been very responsive to their obligation to preserve and protect our precious groundwater resource.
To view this new rule click HERE
"MAJOR RIVERS"
Following its mission to preserve and protect our precious groundwater resource in Rusk County, RCGCD distributed to local school districts a curriculum based program titled “Major Rivers” in the Fall of 2008 and 2009. This program aimed at 4th and 5th graders, helps our children to learn about water and its importance to Texas. The District has purchased additional packets of this informative program for distribution in 2010. Any school district in Rusk County is welcome to this Texas Curriculum Approved program at no charge to the School District. For more information on this exciting program, please contact the RCGCD office or any of the Districts board members. The RCGCD is a tax based locally controlled district that is putting your tax dollars to work advancing the goal to preserve and protect our groundwater for future generations.
For more information click HERE
Groundwater District Goes Green
Rusk County Groundwater Conservation District has installed two solar panels on their new vehicle used to gather scientific data about our groundwater aquifers. The panels are used to recharge the batteries that power their down hole video camera and E-Log equipment. This equipment is used at remote well sites to inspect the well casing insuring only one water zone is used by the water well. The camera records the well casing construction from the surface to the bottom of the well identifying the depth and extent of the screening in the well casing. The E-Log records Gama, Spontaneous Potential, and Conductivity of the strata surrounding the well casing allowing identification of separate water zones.
It is important to residents that all water wells are only drawing water from one zone to prevent comingling of different zones that may cause degradation of our precious drinking water. To date the district has video recorded over 300 water wells. Of these wells inspected, over 100 have been logged with the districts E-Log equipment.
The addition of the solar panels to their inspection vehicle allows them to inspect more wells as their batteries are being charged throughout the day as they move from one well to another. This eliminates the need to return to the office and recharge the batteries between inspections.
NEW FIVE YEAR MANAGEMENT PLAN COMPLETED
Your Rusk County Groundwater Conservation District has completed their initial draft of the new Five Year Management Plan for the District. At a Public Hearing and regular meeting of the District on July 19 th, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt the new plan. This initial draft of the plan has been submitted to the Texas Water Development Board for review. After the review, it will be submitted in final form to the State. A copy of the new plan will be posted on this web site when submitted in final form.
