June 2025

If you're preparing to buy a property with irrigation wells and want to ensure they comply with District regulations, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

You may request a courtesy inspection of the well(s) to ensure that all necessary safety equipment is present and in good condition. It’s important to check whether the flow meter is functioning properly and is the appropriate size for the well classification. Operating wells provide a clearer view of the equipment to confirm it is working correctly. This courtesy inspection will also help verify the status of the well(s); for instance, a well classified as active may actually be capped or plugged. We can examine each well and update the records, giving you a clear understanding of their condition before purchasing the property.

We can also offer copies of the original well permit and any reclassification documents, both of which can be found on our website's Groundwater Interactive Map.

The District rules are available for review or can be printed out for your convenience.

For scheduling this service or if you have any compliance inquiries or questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can contact Lewis Orthman at (806) 935-6401 Ext 203 or via email at lorthman@northplainsgcd.org.

Geologically Speaking

Odell Ward, P.G.

Texas Water Development Board, Report 380

Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Formation Outcrops

Throughout my time with the district, I've encountered various terms used to refer to the Dockum. Let's take a moment to clarify some of these.

Depending on the perspective, various terms are used to refer to the Dockum. Water users and drillers often call it the Dockum Aquifer, while geologists and hydrogeologists refer to it as the Dockum Group. Some individuals even designate the lower formation as the Santa Rosa Aquifer. The Dockum Group represents a collection of interconnected material layers deposited during the Triassic Period, approximately 252 to 201 million years ago (Texas Water Development Board, Report 359, 2003). During this era, all of Earth's land masses merged into a single supercontinent known as Pangaea. This colossal landmass was subsequently divided into two regions: Laurasia, located north of the equator, and Gondwana, found to the south. The climate at this time was predominantly hot and arid, resembling a desert in the interior, while subtropical conditions prevailed along the coast.

The sediments of the Dockum Group developed from the accumulation of materials in various environments, including fluvial (rivers and streams), deltaic (river delta), and lacustrine (lake) settings, all within a closed continental basin.

Key Findings

• Paleocurrent Analysis: This analysis indicates that the sediments were primarily of fluvial origin.
• Depositional Environments:
• Siltstones and mudstones were laid down on:
• Floodplains
• Interfluves
• Isolated pond areas

The sediments in the basin were sourced from the erosion of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks that were exposed around the edges of the basin.

The Dockum Group consists of four interconnected formations. While all members of the Dockum are water-bearing, the quality of this water typically falls below EPA primary drinking water standards, ranging from poor to brackish or slightly saline.

Santa Rosa Formation

• The Santa Rosa Formation is the oldest and lowest layer of the Dockum Group.
• It features alluvial sandstones that range from red to brownish hues, along with conglomerates, which are a mix of coarse and fine-grained materials.

Tecovas Formation

• The Tecovas Formation sits above the Santa Rosa Formation.
• It is characterized by sandy mudstones interspersed with fine to medium-grained sandstones.

Together, these two formations constitute the lower section of the Dockum Group.

Upper Dockum Formations

• The Trujillo Formation and the Cooper Canyon Formation make up the upper portion of the Dockum Group.
• The Trujillo Formation comprises multi-colored fine to coarse-grained sandstones and sandy conglomerates.
• The Cooper Canyon Formation is the uppermost layer of the Dockum Group, predominantly consisting of mud and siltstones, with sandstone lenses. It is noted for typically having the highest quality within the group.

Regardless of the terminology you choose, it's crucial to safeguard and conserve this vital natural resource, just like the Ogallala Formation.