Effects of groundwater regulation on aquifer-system compaction and subsidence in the Houston-Galveston Region, Texas, USA
Subsidence has been a primary concern in the Houston area for many years. Since 1906, about 4 m of subsidence has occurred in the coastal areas, with a broad area of about 2 m of subsidence existing today throughout most of the Houston Area. In 1975, as a result of area residents and local gover...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2015-11-01
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| Series: | Proceedings of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences |
| Online Access: | https://www.proc-iahs.net/372/511/2015/piahs-372-511-2015.pdf |
| Summary: | Subsidence has been a primary concern in the Houston area for many years.
Since 1906, about 4 m of subsidence has occurred in the coastal
areas, with a broad area of about 2 m of subsidence existing today
throughout most of the Houston Area. In 1975, as a result of area residents
and local governments becoming increasingly alarmed by the continued impact
of subsidence on economic growth and quality of life in the region, the
Harris-Galveston Subsidence District was created by the 64th Texas
Legislature as an underground water conservation district with the mission to
provide for the regulation of the withdrawal of groundwater to control
subsidence. Over its nearly 40 years of existence, the District has developed
substantial data sets providing the foundation for its regulatory plan. The
District's regulatory plan allows groundwater users an amount of annual
groundwater based on a percentage of an individual permitee's total water
demand. The management of the groundwater resources within the District has
involved significant coordination with regional ground and surface water
suppliers; ongoing interaction with other state and local regulatory bodies;
analysis of accurate and up to date predictions on water usage; the
enforcement of disincentives to those who rely too heavily on groundwater and
a commitment to practicing and promoting water conservation. Areas nearest
the Gulf of Mexico coast have completed the conversion to alternative (other
than groundwater) water sources, consequently the effective stress on the
aquifer has decreased and subsidence rates have been reduced. Areas within
the District further inland are currently proceeding through the conversion
process, and subsidence has continued in those areas as development of the
groundwater resources has continued. |
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| ISSN: | 2199-8981 2199-899X |