North Plains Water News

April 2025

Establishing a New GPU


If you have recently purchased property, you are required to report new ownership of water rights to the District within 30 days in accordance with District Rule 3.10 “Conveyance of Water Rights.”


The conveyance of property ownership must be confirmed by the County Appraisal District records or a provided Deed.


The section(s) or portion of section(s) bought will require the owner to fill out a single unit GPU application for individual sections or a Joined GPU Application combining multiple sections if desired.


Single Unit GPU applications require all information be filled out and the application signed by the owner – and include Water Right Owner, Authorized Agent, Lessee if applicable, and Production Report Recipient. The completed and signed application is required for the District to change ownership of the Section.


Joined GPU applications requesting the Joining of more than one Section or portions of a section must follow District Rules of Chapter 7 Groundwater Production units to include:


The Sections are contiguous, and


The GPU contains 1600 acres or less with distant diagonal corners no more than 25000 feet apart.


Once received by the District, a Declaration of Joined GPU will be sent to you for review and approval. The Declaration of Joined GPU must be signed and notarized by all Water Right Owners.


Note: The original signed and notarized Declaration of Joined GPU document is now required to be filed at the District office before final approval.


The new Joined or Single Unit GPU can go into effect for the current calendar year if:


the GPU is filed and approved by the District on or before Dec 31 of the current calendar year.


Note: Once a New GPU is established, all conservation reserves banked go back to zero.


If applicable, you will begin banking reserves after the GPU is reported for one full calendar year – January to December.


If you need any assistance, please contact the office at (806)-935-6401.

2024 Demonstration Final Report

If you would like to read the full report click here!

Meter Reimbursement Program Now Open!

The Meter Reimbursement Program provides funding to irrigators to offset up to half the equipment cost of water meters.


Thanks to a grant from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District provides funding to irrigators to offset up to half the equipment cost of water meters.


The district is now accepting applications on meters purchased and installed on or after August 15, 2024. An initial grant was awarded to the District by the TWDB on the basis that meters are an accepted and effective management tool for producers and for groundwater conservation districts. Since June of 2014, the District has received $4,390,900.00 in grants for meters.


Here are the NEW Board Approved Meter Reimbursement Program Policies.


After all meters are installed and are operable, fill out the Meter Reimbursement Program Application, print and sign it, and along with complete receipts, return to permitting@northplainsgcd.org. All applicants must submit a Meter Change Form for every meter you are requesting reimbursement for.


Meter Change Form

Meter Reimbursement Application Form

TxGIO’s map catalog offers free access to more than 600 high-quality maps

Since 2010, the Texas Geographic Information Office (TxGIO) has developed and maintained traditional hardcopy thematic and reference maps for the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). The map catalog includes various collections, ranging from basic county maps to those related to regional water supply and flood planning as well as groundwater and surface water management. 


The catalog features 10 map collections and over 600 maps.

More Information

Thank you to our Water Festival Sponsors!


Valero McKee Refinery - Event Sponsor

Check out their website!

Western Equipment Dumas - Dumas Water Sponsor

Western Equipment Perryton - Perryton Water Sponsor

Check out their website!

Plains Cotton Growers - Dalhart Water Sponsor

Check out their website!

Moore County Soil and Water Conservation District #137 - Dumas Cookie Sponsor

Check out their Facebook Page!


Frank Phillips College Allen Campus- Building Rental

Frank Phillips College Rhall Campus- Building Rental

Amarillo College Moore County Campus- Building Rental


If you would like to sponsor/partner with us on the 4th Grade Water Festival for 2026 please let Baylee Barnes know at bbarnes@northplainsgcd.org!

Out and About with the Field Staff


Odell Ward P.G.


Trees in the Panhandle are about as common as Buffalo, but they can be very useful to your farming operation or livestock. In honor the 88th anniversary of “Black Sunday”, April 14th, 1935, I wanted to highlight the importance of conservation windbreaks.


Windbreaks are the planned planting of trees and shrubs near fields, houses, outbuildings, or roads to reduce or redirect the wind. Windbreaks enhance a property's aesthetics, increase wildlife's protective habitat, reduce soil erosion, protect buildings and/or equipment, and decrease evaporation within the protection belt.


There are six types of windbreaks that can help protect your property from the wind. Texas A&M Forest Service West Texas Nursery recommends these:

Home/Farm Windbreaks increase the heating and cooling efficiency in farm homes and enhance the aesthetics of the property.

Livestock Windbreaks serve to protect livestock in extreme weather by reducing the amount of energy livestock use to keep warm or cool, thus increasing animals' overall health and decreasing costs..

Field Windbreaks can protect edge crops, reduce moisture evaporation, and reduce soil erosion.

Dry Corner Windbreaks establish habitat for birds and animals, can improve the watering efficiency of nearby irrigation systems, and protect grazing livestock.

Living Snow Fence Windbreaks prevent snow from drifting onto roads and highways, protect livestock, and increase wildlife habitat.

Wildlife Windbreaks establish permanent vegetation, providing food and cover for wildlife in times of drought or during winter months.

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