This document provides updates from the Texas Water Development Board on various groundwater projects. It lists the directors and managers of the groundwater division and provides timelines for completing groundwater availability models. It also summarizes research projects on pumping, recharge, and interactions between groundwater and surface water. Other initiatives discussed include published reports, watershed studies, and a budget rider requiring the identification of groundwater use strategies for Val Verde County based on a 2018 study.

1. Texas Water Development
Board Update
TAGD Business Meeting
June 9, 2021

2. GROUNDWATER
Larry French, Director
Kayla Shearhart
GROUNDWATER
MODELING
Cindy Ridgeway, Manager
Shirley Wade
Jerry Shi
Ian Jones
Radu Boghici
Roberto Anaya
Daryn Hardwick
Ki Cha
Stephen Bond
Grayson Dowlearn
Jevon Harding
Staff (Vacancy)
GROUNDWATER
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Natalie Ballew, Manager
Robert Bradley
Stephen Allen
Jean Perez
Alberto Jimenez
GROUNDWATER DATA
Heather Dodson, Team Lead
Amy De Luna
GROUNDWATER
MONITORING
Rebecca Storms, Manager
Chris Muller
Cody Bjornson
Phillip Valladolid
Colt Kernan
Staff (vacancy)
RECORDER WELLS
Andrew Weinberg, Team Lead
Fred Bertram
Mark Lopez
BRACKISH AQUIFER
CHARACTERIZATION
Manager (vacancy)
Mark Robinson
Alysa Suydam
Evan Strickland
Sydney Weitkunat
Olga Bauer
Kristie Laughlin
Juan Acevedo

3. Groundwater Availability Models (GAMs)
 Northern Carrizo-Wilcox, Queen City, and Sparta aquifers – completed
 Southern Carrizo-Wilcox, Queen City, and Sparta aquifers – mid 2022
 Cross Timbers Aquifer – conceptual model, report in review
 Blossom Aquifer – conceptual model report posted for review
 Southern/Central Gulf Coast Aquifer – late 2021
 Northern Edwards (BFZ) and Trinity aquifers – late 2021
 Edwards-Trinity (Plateau), Trinity, and Pecos Valley aquifers – early 2023
 Trinity (Hill Country) Aquifer – early 2023
 Nacatoch Aquifer – just started
GSI Environmental
Daniel B. Stephens & Associates
GSI Environmental

4. GAM Research Projects
 Marathon Aquifer Conceptual Model – mid 2022
 Pumping Research – early 2022
 Recharge and Groundwater-Surface Water
Interaction Research – late 2021

5.  Upper Coastal Plains Central Aquifers – Report #385 published
 Trinity (Hill County) Aquifer – report in final review
 Edwards-Trinity (Plateau) Aquifer – underway
 Upper Coastal Plains East aquifers (Carrizo-Wilcox, Queen City, Sparta,
and Yegua-Jackson aquifers) - underway
BRACS Studies

6.  Brackish Groundwater Comingling
 Seismic Interpretation
 Data Entry for Upper Coastal Plain East Aquifers
 Core Testing for Hill Country Trinity Aquifer
 Drilling and logging ideal well
 Develop Procedures and Tools to Delineate Areas
Designated or Used for Class II Well Wastewater
Injectate
 Sampling of Higher Salinity Groundwater
 Core Testing and Numerical Well Simulations for
Edwards-Trinity (Plateau) Aquifer
BRACS research studies

7.  Guidance document for brackish groundwater
production zones – in development
 Playa Lakes in the Southern High Plains: Runoff,
Infiltration, and Recharge – Report #386 published April
2021
 South Llano River watershed study (with LCRA) – field
work anticipated late Summer 2021
 Colorado River alluvium (with LCRA) – report in agency
review.
Other initiatives

8. Budget Rider 25 – Val Verde County
Requires the TWDB to “use the comprehensive
study conducted by the Board in 2018
regarding the groundwater resources in Val
Verde County to identify possible groundwater
use planning strategies, including and
prioritizing best management practices for
drought scenarios, based on its findings. The
Board, the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department, or the board of a groundwater
conservation district in the county may use the
comprehensive 2018 study to develop
guidelines or standards for groundwater use in
the district or other district of management
area under the Board’s jurisdiction. The Board
may adopt rules to carry out the provisions
described herein.”

9. Larry French
Groundwater Division
larry.french@twdb.texas.gov
512-463-5067