Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District

12/05/2023

The Canon Ranch Eclipse Windmill is the largest remaining operational wooden-wheel, turbine type windmill in the U.S. The windwheel is 22.5 feet in diameter and mounted atop a 43' tall tower. Located on a private ranch in eastern Pecos county, it's a noted landmark in the ranch country of the Trans-Pecos. It's actually on the National List of Historic Places. Some say it was built in 1898 but my perception is that there's a bit of fuzziness on this. T. Lindsay Baker says it was there for sure by 1906. In any case, it's quite impressive. This is how it looked in 1984.

03/08/2022

As National Groundwater Awareness Week continues, we’d like to recognize a great resource. The Texas Groundwater Protection Committee (through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) works with statewide agencies and organizations to coordinate and enhance groundwater activities. Learn more about the committee at www.tgpc.texas.gov.

02/02/2022

01/13/2022

Pecos County supports the oil and gas industry but we need to take care of the aquifers as well.

Could continued brine water contamination of aquifers and building water pressure mean the end of the Permian Basin?

11/01/2021

TWDB’s Water Weekly: For the most part, recent rains have missed the abnormally dry and drought-stricken areas of the state. As a result, the drought map for conditions as of October 26 shows continued expansion of drought. Expect more drought next week, especially in West Texas and the Panhandle. Bit.ly/WaterWeekly

10/26/2021

TWDB’s Water Weekly: The most recent drought map for conditions as of October 19 shows continued expansion of drought. In the coming week, precipitation is expected to be below normal everywhere while temperatures are warmer than normal in most parts of the state. Expect more drought on next week’s map. Bit.ly/WaterWeekly

10/05/2021

TWDB’s Water Weekly: The most recent drought map for conditions as of September 28 shows continued expansion and intensification of drought. Much-needed rain that fell on parts on the state the last few days of September and the first few days of October may result in some improvements on next week’s map. Bit.ly/WaterWeekly

07/15/2021

06/07/2021

TWDB’s Water Weekly: For the seventh consecutive week, the area of the state impacted by drought has declined. In that time, drought area has declined by 56 percentage points. The latest drought map for conditions as of June 1 shows the lowest area of the state in drought since June 2020. Bit.ly/WaterWeekly

06/02/2021

TWDB’s Water Weekly: For the sixth consecutive week, the area of the state impacted by drought has declined. In that time, drought area has declined by 50 percentage points. The latest drought map for conditions as of May 25 shows the lowest area of the state in drought since July 2020. Bit.ly/WaterWeekly

05/28/2021

In 2005, we provided a 10-year grant to the Harlingen Irrigation District for the Texas Project for Ag Water Efficiency. During this now completed decade-long project, Rio Grande Valley producers implemented various water-saving irrigation methods. This project demonstrated the profitability of improving surface water conveyance and delivery on cotton, citrus, corn, and sugarcane crops. It also yielded lessons and insight that continue to influence water use efficiency across the Lower Rio Grande Valley, like integrating state-of-the-art irrigation water distribution network control and management techniques. Learn more about this project and check out some videos on our website: http://bit.ly/1UwU8ej.

03/09/2021

As National Groundwater Awareness Week continues, we’d like to recognize some great resources. The Texas Groundwater Protection Committee works with statewide agencies and organizations to coordinate and enhance groundwater activities. Learn more about the committee at www.tgpc.texas.gov. National Ground Water Association, WellOwner, The Groundwater Foundation, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality