In this edition of news from HPWD:

• Annual Water Level Measurements Completed
• Carmon McCain Memorial Regional Science Fair Awards
• 4-H Water Ambassador Application Opens March 15 
• Conservation Reminder
• Waste Reminder
• Administratively Complete Permit Applications
• Upcoming Events
• Texas Water News and Drought Updates

Annual Water Level Measurements Completed

The final results of the 2025 water level observations are now summarized and available here.  The average change in the Ogallala/Edwards-Trinity (High Plains) Aquifers is -0.66 feet.  The district's average saturated thickness in the Ogallala Aquifer is 51 feet.  The interactive map and all aquifer information are being updated with these values and should be completed next week. 

Students Receive Carmon McCain Memorial Science Fair Awards

HPWD staff evaluated water-related projects at the 2025 South Plains Regional Science and Engineering Fair, which took place on February 26, 2025, at the United Supermarkets Arena at Texas Tech University. In memory of Carmon McCain, the board has designated $500 each year for the top water-related projects judged in the special awards category. Schools in our region entered over 245 projects on various physical and biological topics in this year’s fair.

Lucas Higgins and Carson Busse received the HPWD Top Water Project award for “The Effect of Water from the Dockum Aquifer on Crops and Soil Organic Matter." Three elementary, middle, and high school projects also received the Carmon McCain Memorial Outstanding Water Project award.

4-H Water Ambassador Application Opens March 15

Applications for the 9th Cohort of Texas 4-H Water Ambassadors will be accepted from March 15 through May 1, 2025. Students within the district who are admitted to the program are eligible for a $300 tuition gift to cover their participation fee. For more information on this program, visit texas4hwaterambassdors.com/application.

Conservation Reminder

As spring approaches, many people eagerly anticipate the opportunity to care for their outdoor spaces. Before you start watering your lawns this season, please consider utilizing the WaterMyYard program HPWD offers.

Waste Reminder

Water waste is prohibited pursuant to Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code and HPWD rules.  What is waste? Last month, we recited  Chapter 36.001(8)(B) on defining waste.

To elaborate on what constitutes a “beneficial purpose” in the Texas Water Code, we reference Chapter 36 (9) (A-C):

(9) "Use for a beneficial purpose" means use for:

(A) agricultural, gardening, domestic, stock raising, municipal, mining, manufacturing, industrial, commercial, recreational, or pleasure purposes;

(B) exploring for, producing, handling, or treating oil, gas, sulphur, or other minerals; or

(C) any other purpose that is useful and beneficial to the user.

If you need assistance or have questions about preventing water waste, contact the High Plains Water District office at (806) 762-0181.

Administratively Complete Permit Applications

Upcoming Events

Register online for the Rainwater Harvesting Conference and make your payment: 
Conference - Ogallala Commons

Texas Water News and Drought Updates

• LEGISLATIVE UPDATES:  At the time of this writing, the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts (TAGD) is monitoring about 160 bills in the Texas Legislature.  The last date for filing bills in the regular session is March 14, 2025.
• The drought conditions map and the monthly outlook are updated.