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Houston Area Groundwater Level and Subsidence Monitoring

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By Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center May 29, 2018

In cooperation with Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, the City of Houston, Fort Bend County Subsidence District, Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District, and Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District, the USGS Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center Gulf Coast Program collects, processes, and interprets groundwater-level and aquifer-sediment-compaction data to understand the effects of groundwater withdrawal on land subsidence in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas.

Land subsidence is the gradual lowering of land-surface elevation. In the Houston-Galveston region, land subsidence is caused by compaction of fine-grained aquifer sediments (silts and clays) below the land surface due to groundwater withdrawals. Removing water from fine-grained aquifer sediments compresses the aquifer leaving less pore space available to store water resulting in the lowering (sinking or settling) of the land-surface. Most compaction that occurs as a result of groundwater withdrawals is irreversible; even if groundwater levels rise, compacted sediments and the associated land-surface lowering would remain as-is.

Consequences of land subsidence in the Houston-Galveston Region

  • Reduces the ability to store water in an aquifer.
  • Partially or completely submerges land.
  • Collapses water well casings.
  • Disrupts collector drains and irrigation ditches.
  • Alters the flow of creeks and bayous which may increase the frequency and severity of flooding.
  • Damages roadways, bridges, building foundations, and other infrastructure.

 

⇒ Visit the Texas Gulf Coast Groundwater and Land Subsidence Web Application

 

Media
Screen shot of the Texas Gulf Coast Groundwater and Land Subsidence Program web application
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Screen shot of the Texas Gulf Coast Groundwater and Land Subsidence Program web application. (Public domain.)

Selected Publications

Status of groundwater-level altitudes and long-term groundwater-level changes in the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers, Houston-Galveston region, Texas, 2020

Since the early 1900s, most of the groundwater withdrawals in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas, have been from the three primary aquifers that compose the Gulf Coast aquifer system—the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers. Withdrawals from these aquifers are used for municipal supply, commercial and industrial use, and irrigation. This report, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey...
Authors
Christopher L. Braun, Jason K. Ramage
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Status of groundwater-level altitudes and long-term groundwater-level changes in the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers, Houston-Galveston region, Texas, 2019

Since the early 1900s, most of the groundwater withdrawals in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas, have been from the three primary aquifers that compose the Gulf Coast aquifer system—the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers. Withdrawals from these aquifers are used for municipal supply, commercial and industrial use, and irrigation. This report, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey...
Authors
Christopher L. Braun, Jason K. Ramage, Sachin D. Shah
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Status of groundwater-level altitudes and long-term groundwater-level changes in the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers, Houston-Galveston region, Texas, 2018

Since the early 1900s, most of the groundwater withdrawals in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas, have been from the three primary aquifers that compose the Gulf Coast aquifer system—the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers. Withdrawals from these aquifers are used for municipal supply, industrial, and irrigation purposes. This report, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in...
Authors
Sachin D. Shah, Jason K. Ramage, Christopher L. Braun
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Groundwater withdrawals 1976, 1990, and 2000--10 and land-surface-elevation changes 2000--10 in Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Brazoria Counties, Texas

The study area comprising Harris County and parts of Galveston, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Brazoria Counties in southeastern Texas forms part of one of the largest areas of land-surface-elevation change in the United States. Land-surface-elevation change in the study area primarily is caused by the withdrawal of groundwater. Groundwater withdrawn from the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers...
Authors
Mark C. Kasmarek, Michaela R. Johnson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Investigation of land subsidence in the Houston-Galveston region of Texas by using the Global Positioning System and interferometric synthetic aperture radar, 1993-2000

Since the early 1900s, groundwater has been the primary source of municipal, industrial, and agricultural water supplies for the Houston-Galveston region, Texas. The region's combination of hydrogeology and nearly century-long use of groundwater has resulted in one of the largest areas of subsidence in the United States; by 1979, as much as 3 meters (m) of subsidence had occurred, and...
Authors
Gerald W. Bawden, Michaela R. Johnson, Mark C. Kasmarek, Justin T. Brandt, Clifton S. Middleton
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Evaluation of ground-water flow and land-surface subsidence caused by hypothetical withdrawals in the northern part of the Gulf Coast Aquifer system, Texas

During 2003–04 the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District (HGCSD), used the previously developed Northern Gulf Coast Ground-Water Availability Modeling (NGC GAM) model to evaluate the effects of hypothetical projected withdrawals on ground-water flow in the northern part of the Gulf Coast...
Authors
Mark C. Kasmarek, Brian D. Reece, Natalie A. Houston
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Summary of hydrogeology and simulation of ground-water flow and land-surface subsidence in the northern part of the Gulf Coast aquifer system, Texas

The northern part of the Gulf Coast aquifer system in Texas, which includes the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers, supplies most of the water used for industrial, municipal, agricultural, and commercial purposes for an approximately 25,000- square-mile (mi2) area that includes the Beaumont and Houston metropolitan areas. The area has an abundant amount of potable ground water, but...
Authors
Mark C. Kasmarek, James L. Robinson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Land subsidence in the United States

This report explores the role of science in defining and understanding subsidence problems, and shows that the optimal use of our land and water resources may depend on improved scientific understanding to minimize subsidence. More than 80 percent of the identified land subsidence in the Nation is a consequence of human impact on subsurface water, and is an often overlooked environmental...
Authors
Devin L. Galloway, David R. Jones, S. E. Ingebritsen
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Ground-water withdrawals and land-surface subsidence in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas, 1906-80

The withdrawal of larqe amounts of ground water in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas, has resulted in water-level declines of as much as 250 feet (76 meters) in wells completed in the Chicot aquifer and as much as 300 feet (91 meters) in wells completed in the Evangeline aquifer during 1943-77. Since late 1976, changes in pumping distribution resulting from efforts to control...
Authors
R.K. Gabrysch
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Approximate water-level changes in wells in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers, 1977-81 and 1980-81, and measured compaction, 1973-81, in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas

This report consists of: (1) Four maps that present data on water-level changes during 1977-81 and 1980-81 in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers and (2) one set of graphs that present data on the compaction of subsurface materials for 1973-81. During these periods, ground-water pumping decreased in Galveston County and southern Harris County, Tex., and increased in northern and western...
Authors
R.K. Gabrysch, C.E. Ranzau
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Below are partners associated with this project.

Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District

City of Houston

Fort Bend Subsidence District

Harris-Galveston Subsidence District

Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District

In cooperation with Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, the City of Houston, Fort Bend County Subsidence District, Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District, and Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District, the USGS Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center Gulf Coast Program collects, processes, and interprets groundwater-level and aquifer-sediment-compaction data to understand the effects of groundwater withdrawal on land subsidence in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas.

Land subsidence is the gradual lowering of land-surface elevation. In the Houston-Galveston region, land subsidence is caused by compaction of fine-grained aquifer sediments (silts and clays) below the land surface due to groundwater withdrawals. Removing water from fine-grained aquifer sediments compresses the aquifer leaving less pore space available to store water resulting in the lowering (sinking or settling) of the land-surface. Most compaction that occurs as a result of groundwater withdrawals is irreversible; even if groundwater levels rise, compacted sediments and the associated land-surface lowering would remain as-is.

Consequences of land subsidence in the Houston-Galveston Region

  • Reduces the ability to store water in an aquifer.
  • Partially or completely submerges land.
  • Collapses water well casings.
  • Disrupts collector drains and irrigation ditches.
  • Alters the flow of creeks and bayous which may increase the frequency and severity of flooding.
  • Damages roadways, bridges, building foundations, and other infrastructure.

 

⇒ Visit the Texas Gulf Coast Groundwater and Land Subsidence Web Application

 

Media
Screen shot of the Texas Gulf Coast Groundwater and Land Subsidence Program web application
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Screen shot of the Texas Gulf Coast Groundwater and Land Subsidence Program web application. (Public domain.)

Selected Publications

Status of groundwater-level altitudes and long-term groundwater-level changes in the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers, Houston-Galveston region, Texas, 2020

Since the early 1900s, most of the groundwater withdrawals in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas, have been from the three primary aquifers that compose the Gulf Coast aquifer system—the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers. Withdrawals from these aquifers are used for municipal supply, commercial and industrial use, and irrigation. This report, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey...
Authors
Christopher L. Braun, Jason K. Ramage
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Status of groundwater-level altitudes and long-term groundwater-level changes in the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers, Houston-Galveston region, Texas, 2019

Since the early 1900s, most of the groundwater withdrawals in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas, have been from the three primary aquifers that compose the Gulf Coast aquifer system—the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers. Withdrawals from these aquifers are used for municipal supply, commercial and industrial use, and irrigation. This report, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey...
Authors
Christopher L. Braun, Jason K. Ramage, Sachin D. Shah
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Status of groundwater-level altitudes and long-term groundwater-level changes in the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers, Houston-Galveston region, Texas, 2018

Since the early 1900s, most of the groundwater withdrawals in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas, have been from the three primary aquifers that compose the Gulf Coast aquifer system—the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers. Withdrawals from these aquifers are used for municipal supply, industrial, and irrigation purposes. This report, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in...
Authors
Sachin D. Shah, Jason K. Ramage, Christopher L. Braun
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Groundwater withdrawals 1976, 1990, and 2000--10 and land-surface-elevation changes 2000--10 in Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Brazoria Counties, Texas

The study area comprising Harris County and parts of Galveston, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Brazoria Counties in southeastern Texas forms part of one of the largest areas of land-surface-elevation change in the United States. Land-surface-elevation change in the study area primarily is caused by the withdrawal of groundwater. Groundwater withdrawn from the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers...
Authors
Mark C. Kasmarek, Michaela R. Johnson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Investigation of land subsidence in the Houston-Galveston region of Texas by using the Global Positioning System and interferometric synthetic aperture radar, 1993-2000

Since the early 1900s, groundwater has been the primary source of municipal, industrial, and agricultural water supplies for the Houston-Galveston region, Texas. The region's combination of hydrogeology and nearly century-long use of groundwater has resulted in one of the largest areas of subsidence in the United States; by 1979, as much as 3 meters (m) of subsidence had occurred, and...
Authors
Gerald W. Bawden, Michaela R. Johnson, Mark C. Kasmarek, Justin T. Brandt, Clifton S. Middleton
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Evaluation of ground-water flow and land-surface subsidence caused by hypothetical withdrawals in the northern part of the Gulf Coast Aquifer system, Texas

During 2003–04 the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District (HGCSD), used the previously developed Northern Gulf Coast Ground-Water Availability Modeling (NGC GAM) model to evaluate the effects of hypothetical projected withdrawals on ground-water flow in the northern part of the Gulf Coast...
Authors
Mark C. Kasmarek, Brian D. Reece, Natalie A. Houston
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Summary of hydrogeology and simulation of ground-water flow and land-surface subsidence in the northern part of the Gulf Coast aquifer system, Texas

The northern part of the Gulf Coast aquifer system in Texas, which includes the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers, supplies most of the water used for industrial, municipal, agricultural, and commercial purposes for an approximately 25,000- square-mile (mi2) area that includes the Beaumont and Houston metropolitan areas. The area has an abundant amount of potable ground water, but...
Authors
Mark C. Kasmarek, James L. Robinson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Land subsidence in the United States

This report explores the role of science in defining and understanding subsidence problems, and shows that the optimal use of our land and water resources may depend on improved scientific understanding to minimize subsidence. More than 80 percent of the identified land subsidence in the Nation is a consequence of human impact on subsurface water, and is an often overlooked environmental...
Authors
Devin L. Galloway, David R. Jones, S. E. Ingebritsen
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Ground-water withdrawals and land-surface subsidence in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas, 1906-80

The withdrawal of larqe amounts of ground water in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas, has resulted in water-level declines of as much as 250 feet (76 meters) in wells completed in the Chicot aquifer and as much as 300 feet (91 meters) in wells completed in the Evangeline aquifer during 1943-77. Since late 1976, changes in pumping distribution resulting from efforts to control...
Authors
R.K. Gabrysch
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Approximate water-level changes in wells in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers, 1977-81 and 1980-81, and measured compaction, 1973-81, in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas

This report consists of: (1) Four maps that present data on water-level changes during 1977-81 and 1980-81 in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers and (2) one set of graphs that present data on the compaction of subsurface materials for 1973-81. During these periods, ground-water pumping decreased in Galveston County and southern Harris County, Tex., and increased in northern and western...
Authors
R.K. Gabrysch, C.E. Ranzau
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Below are partners associated with this project.

Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District

City of Houston

Fort Bend Subsidence District

Harris-Galveston Subsidence District

Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District

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