2012 3rd Place Scholarship Winner Cole Booze's Essay

Cole Booze

The Importance of Water Conservation

Since water isn't a renewable resource, conserving it should be at everyone's utmost attention. The Ogallala Aquifer is one of the world's largest aquifers and stretches over eight states. Water from the Ogallala Aquifer provides irrigation for approximately twenty-seven percent of farm land, and also provides for eighty-two percent of drinking water in the aquifers area. Protecting and conserving this jewel called the Ogallala Aquifer is very important to those who live in the area.

Residential Use. For several years now, residents of the Panhandle have enjoyed a prosperity that our grandparents or great-grandparents would never have imagined. The physical evidence of this prosperity has been the "age of landscaping". Homeowners are making investments, not only in their homes, but also in their yards. Once this landscaping investment is made, then the homeowner must protect and preserve that investment. This comes at a cost to the homeowner and to the Ogallala Aquifer. Research has indicated that in some parts of the United States more than half the water used is from landscaping and lawn-watering. Research indicates that the use of a greywater system could be and excellent solution to this excessive use of our natural resource. Untreated greywater can be used for several water consuming activities, but mainly irrigation and can be utilized successfully for maintaining landscaping if properly treated. Many families growing up in the country in the Midwest had their greywater simply draining off into the pasture or field. My parents both recall growing up with this situation, without adverse effects. This simpler way of life seems to be full of common sense in their use of greywater. More importantly, greywater systems could be developed in the cities, beginning with new housing projects that capture the greywater, run it through a treatment system, and then distribute it for lawn irrigation at a price cheaper than water available through the municipal water system.

Municipal. Building on the issue of consumption by the landscaping or lawn maintenance sector, the water utilities could implement a stratified pricing structure that contained two levels of pricing. A base rate (price per gallon) could be established for a residence's personal use utilizing a floor price method; a secondary rate could then be utilized when gallons consumed exceeded a certain base level. This base family or residence usage would be at a lower price per gallon and then another tier of pricing would be implemented on gallons of usage above that base at a price that is maybe double the base price. This pricing structure would encourage people to conserve and to also invest to implement a greywater system for their landscaping maintenance.

Commerical Use. Several strategies can be put into place to help save the water. Windmills use wind to pump the water out of the aquifer. If a windmill turns and pumps water for ten hours a day then there is a large chance that water is being over flowed into a dirt tank that isn't sealed. Living in the Texas Panhandle where the wind blows constantly, this occurs quite often for the water is then turned into mud and ultimately not used. The solution to this problem could be using electrical pumps monitored by a float that keeps water at a constant level. The float would stay at water level but when it drops to a certain height the float would turn on the valve pumping water into the tank. To stop overflow, the valve would shut off at a certain height keeping water from exiting the tank and being wasted. Also, the electric timer can monitor how many hours a day the electric pump is turned on. This is just one idea that can be utilized commercially.
 

Water Rights. The severing of our water rights from the land has become a very important issue now that we are experiencing times of drought. Separating our water rights from the land and the people that live on the land, puts at risk the legacy of generations of family fanning and ranching. We need to keep our water in the Panhandle to be used by generations of panhandle residents.

In conclusion, there are so many basic steps that each person can do to conserve water during all times not just during seasons of drought. What this drought has taught us is that our water supply is not infinite. Even if we experience a substantial recharge to the Ogallala Aquifer, having been through these last few years has taught our generation that we know not what tomorrow brings.

2012 2nd Place Scholarship Winner Trevor Craig's Essay

Is it Too Late?

Trevor Craig

The Ogallala was formed ten million years ago from retreating glaciers and streams from the Rocky Mountains. This aquifer is no longer being recharged by the Rockies and low precipitation adds to its decline. Conserving this primary source of valuable water will take widespread awareness and immediate intervention from every aspect of our world as we know it. Usage in our households, cities, industrial entities, and most critically, irrigation, must be managed ever more strictly.

After the frighteningly low rainfall totals of this past year, conservation of our water has never been on the minds of our Texas panhandle citizens as much as now. This drought is a wake-up call to all of us. Our cities will need to initiate effective campaigns to their townspeople. First, through being good role models themselves, much like the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District office. The xeriscaping at its White Deer office is beautiful, yet conservative using native and exotic plants from more arid regions of the world. We need to see this technique transferred to all our city parks and properties as well. Awareness programs need to be encouraged through our local papers, city newsletters and classrooms. The programs developed by the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District, such as "Stop Wasting Water" and "Major Rivers" are great resources for our schools. A new, water-saving tip should be in the newspaper on every publication as a visual reminder to all of us. I've learned several while preparing this essay. Washing vehicles on a regular basis is not that important after all, and using high pressure but low volume water nozzles conserves water. People can also install dual flush systems on there toilets, and low flow shower heads. The shower heads cost around five to ten dollars each; with these shower heads, a shower's water usage can be reduced 50 to 70 percent, according to the Federal Energy Incentives Team.

Irrigation takes the largest toll out of the precious aquifer. Being efficient when irrigating crops is not as easy as doing it in your home. This is why we should be most water wise with the farming industry than all others. Irrigation technology has come a long way in the last few decades. Never do we see tailwater along our roadsides anymore. Sprinkler systems such as dropline center pivots are very efficient and our landscape is dotted with these blinking arcs. Also, loan incentives to farmers based on purchasing water-conserving equipment have been of great value. The Conservation Reserve Program [CRP] also needs to be continued keeping acres upon acres of land from drinking up more of our valuable aquifer. Evaporation is the greatest cause of water loss to the farmer and the pivots help with this, but farmers need to refrain from watering on extremely hot, dry days with heavy winds. Instead, they should water on cooler, cloudy days or nights. Just as suggested on our own lawns, we need to be practical with the crops we choose to raise in an ever-growing arid region. Corn should not be an option here in the Texas panhandle. This crop is totally dependent on irrigation and should be saved for other areas of our nation. In our area, we witness corn farmers essentially leaving sprinkler systems running until the crop is close to harvest. Crops like wheat and maize have a higher tolerance for dry weather should be encouraged. Research is important and needs to continue towards creating more drought-tolerant varieties of already practical crops.

Industrial water conservation should begin with a water audit, tracking the use for several weeks. Form a team to evaluate water usage being sure to include input from employees. If the employees are a part of the decision-making process, plans are more likely to come to fruition. Reducing the use of water is the most obvious first step. Routinely checking for leakages throughout the plant, using flow restrictors where possible,
and also timers to use water only when necessary are all ways to reduce water usage. Recycling water in the industrial plant can be accomplished by reusing water when fresh water is not necessary. Separate the wastewater by levels of contamination and use it for non-contact situations like cooling or rinsing. Elimination of water altogether is possible with some industrial applications. for example, using more cooling fans and
condensers. Vortex tubes can also be used. This device takes compressed air into a tube and using generators, hot air is exhausted and cooling air is produced. This works for forged parts that must be cooled.

Awareness of all people in our cities, farms and industries is the key. Open minds are needed to create ways to recharge our aquifer, much like the technique of cloud seeding that is used locally. Putting our heads together with research, regulations, selflessness and abundant communication throughout the eight states that the Ogalalla encompasses will be essential in saving nature's gift to us.

2012 1st Place Scholarship Winner Chirae Christie’s Essay

Chirae Christie

The Great State of Texas, and specifically the Panhandle, is in the midst of a record drought of mammoth proportions. What can we do as consumers of the Ogallala Aquifer to stem the tide of the rapid depletion of this finite resource?

As a seventeen year old high school senior born and raised in Amarillo and attending school all my life at San Jacinto Christian Academy in Potter County, I have personally witnessed the largest reservoir in this region basically dry up and blow away in only a few short years. Who would have ever thought this could happen here? This has made it glaringly apparent not only to water experts, but also to all of us as residents of the Texas Panhandle, that we cannot rely on surface water to supplement the Ogallala and our excessive water consumption. The time is now for us as consumers to take decisive action to mitigate the long-term depletion effects of this precious life sustaining resource we call the Ogallala. We often hear the phrase: “we must do it for our children”. I’m here to say, we must do it now for every one of us and for any possibility of future generations to live and thrive in this semi-arid region. The situation is approaching critical mass, and if we do not act now our limited supply of groundwater that sustains our agricultural communities and our petrochemical and energy based industries will be gone. Without these jobs, our communities and our much-cherished way of life will dry up and blow away just like Lake Meredith.

The research I have done regarding this topic further proves that if we as Texans do not act quickly, it may be too late. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has recently published its 2012 State Water Plan titled “Water for Texas.” As clearly stated by the Chairman of the TWDB—the primary message of the 2012 State Water Plan is a simple one: “In serious drought conditions, Texas does not and will not have enough water to meet the needs of its people, its businesses, and its agricultural enterprises.” Well, the serious drought conditions are here. This statement is a sobering thought to a seventeen year old that has fourth generation roots in the Texas panhandle agriculture and petrochemical industry. This may sound drastic to some of you, and that’s because it is. So what can we do to stem the tide?

I propose a three-tiered approach: Education, Conservation and Legislation. Educating the general public, as well as agricultural and industrial consumers, is one of the most critical actions each of us can do. I believe the majority of the residents in this region do not fully understand where their water comes from and that it comes from an aquifer that has a finite life. Municipalities, local officials, and the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District (PGCD) have all been very proactive in implementing educational programs for the various stakeholders. However, I believe that more can and should be done through education of all water consumers about the importance of conserving this resource. Local school districts should include basic water conservation education in the science classroom from an early age and continue this training through high school. Educating our youth about this topic is vital to your region.

Conservation is the next and most critical step that must be taken to slow the depletion of this lifeline. We can all do more at home, school, and work to conserve our water. There are numerous resources readily available that provide basic water conservation tips that can easily be implemented. The PGCD has a variety of conservation tips and other useful resources available at its website: http://www.pgcd.us/. Additionally, new agriculture irrigation technologies have been developed that result in reduced evaporation rates for more efficient irrigation of our crops. Farmers should plant drought tolerant crops that are more suitable for this region. Tax incentives and low interest farm loans are available to assist with capital improvements that will yield long-term benefits not only in crop production, but also in conservation of water. Industries that consume massive amounts of water to produce their products should employ basic conservation techniques within their facilities. Furthermore, industries should establish water conservation teams comprised of qualified experts to evaluate water consumption and identify ways to minimize usage and also identify cost efficient ways to recycle and reuse their process wastewaters.

The final approach in mitigating the adverse effects on the Ogallala Aquifer is through legislation. Local governments should implement regulations that can be enforced to prevent this precious resource from being wasted. Additional state legislation should be enacted that encourages and rewards industry, agricultural, and individuals who employ effective conservation techniques and wastewater recycling programs through tax incentives, as well as penalizing wasteful water usage. Senate Bill 1, signed into law in 1997, is the foundation for comprehensive water legislation that put in place the water planning process designed to ensure that future water needs of all Texans are met. The PGCD has established a set of comprehensive rules under the Texas Water Code that regulate the production of water within the district. The rules specify that a “50/50 standard” be met. The standard states that “at least 50% of the saturated thickness of the aquifer remains after 50 years.” This standard also establishes an acceptable annual decline rate and limits production when data demonstrates that the decline rate is excessive. When established decline rates are exceeded, the district will identify the area as a “study area” and implement additional data collection, including more comprehensive water level measurements, and if necessary, the district can declare an area as a “conservation area” and can further regulate the production from that area.

If we all join together as proactive stakeholders in this quest to save our Ogallala and we all do our part with respect to Education, Conservation, and Legislation, our cherished way of life here in the Panhandle will thrive for generations to come.

Saying Goodbye to District Hydrologist Amy Crowell

Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District Hydrologist Amy Crowell is leaving the District to take a general manager position at the Mesquite Groundwater Conservation District located in Wellington, Texas, which encompasses all of Collingsworth and Hall counties and parts of northern Childress County.

                  

Crowell started as an intern in the summer of 2001 at PGCD. During her internship that summer and the following summer she helped to establish the monitoring of White Deer Creek and the monthly monitoring done in Roberts County around the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority well field. Crowell became a full-time hydrologist for the District in December of 2002, and during her time here has been instrumental in developing the technical procedure for evaluating the percent decline for the 50/50 management standard. She also has handled all data, analysis and mapping requirements for the District including the metering, water level, and water quality programs. She also participated in Regional Planning and Groundwater Management Area planning in the Panhandle, and helped draft major and minor rule revisions. Crowell has been a huge asset with her knowledge of the District, and will be greatly missed. 

Summer Interns

During her internship, Amber Passini hopes to gain a better knowledge of programs and systems used to analyze  data to make better use of the available water supply in the Panhandle of Texas. Amber is very excited to work with women like Amy Crowell and Jennifer Puryear who are mentors and have an in depth understanding of this specific region. Her goal is to obtain a bachelors in Geology next Spring, and find work in ground water systems at the local or state level. Passini attends West Texas A&M University. She has been happily married to her trainer, best friend and husband for over seven years.

Zach Berry is a senior at Panhandle High School and is doing some various field work for the District including collecting water samples, checking rain gauges and working in the lab. Berry plays basketball and football for Panhandle High School and enjoys fishing and hunting. For the last few summers Berry has worked as a farm hand building fences, driving tractors, and in the fall he tarps cotton modules during cotton harvest.

Did the Drought Affect Aquifer Water Measurements?

Many people have been asking the District how the water fared after the record breaking drought through last year. The answer is that it depends on where you are standing. One thing to consider when looking at the maps in this newsletter is the use of the five year rolling average (explained in the “Explanation of 5 Year Average” article) will mitigate the effects of a single year’s low measurement. For example, if a well declined six feet this year, its five year average decline might only be 2.5 feet. Many areas did not see any more average depletion than usual in the Ogallala Aquifer.

Armstrong, Donley and Gray counties saw average depletion very similar to last years. This year the average depletion in Wheeler County looked a bit better than last year. Roberts County had a larger area of average depletion than last year. However, much of the production in that county is for municipal use, and a second well field has been added to the first in that area. The average depletion in Carson County is also worse than last year. In most years the majority of Carson County is between zero and one foot down, but this year the majority of the county was between one and two feet down. This is likely caused by the drought’s affect on the combined irrigation and municipal production in this county.

While the average decline maps depicted in this newsletter do not show much more decline than in previous years, there are some wells with significantly more annual decline than usual as a result of the drought. One benefit of the drought is the awareness of our water supply and the importance of conservation. It would be a shame to waste that!

10th Annual PGCD Scholarship Winners Announced

The Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District (PGCD) is proud to announce the winners of the 2012 Scholarship Essay Contest. This years winners were selected from 18 applicants that wrote an essay on the topic, “Since the Texas Panhandle is experiencing one of the worst droughts since 1956, what actions should groundwater users, including municipal, irrigation and industrial, take to mitigate the adverse effects on the Ogallala Aquifer?”


Winner of the $4,000 scholarship is Chirae Christie of San Jacinto Christian Academy in Amarillo, Texas. Christie graduated with at 3.98 grade point average (GPA), and her future plans include attending Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, to study accounting. Christie is the daughter of Carson and RaLynda Christie. 


The recipient of the $3,000 scholarship is Trevor Craig of White Deer High School in White Deer, Texas. Craig is the son of Shawn and Barbara Craig, and graduated with a 4.11 GPA. He plans to attend Oklahoma State University in Norman, Oklahoma, to study Agronomy. 


Winner of the $2,000 scholarship is Cole Booze of Miami High School in Miami, Texas. Booze graduated with a 3.74 GPA and plans to attend Oklahoma State University to study agriculture business. Booze is the son of Brad and Anna Booze. 


To be eligible for the PGCD scholarship, applicants are required to be a high school senior and live within the District boundary of PGCD, and must write a 500 to 1,000 word essay on a topic chosen by the District. A committee of three board members, general manager and a staff member select the winners. The scholarships are paid out over four years. Recipients must enroll as a full-time student and attend the fall semester immediately following graduation.