The Cross Section, Volume 20, Number 2, February 1974 Page: 1
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AGRICULTURAL
INDUSTRIAL
L.A Monthly Publication of the High Plains Underground Water Conservatio
Volume 20-No. 2 "THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR WATER"n District No. 1
February, 19741 '. -
I.
j I
..? f
John C. White, Texas Agriculture Commissioner, comments on the outlook for
High Plains water resources, while speaking before a Lubbock meeting of Water,
Inc. Seated to his right is Lloyd Calhoun of Hobbs, New Mexico.Drilling of irrigation wells on the
High Plains of Texas continues on the
upswing, as the 1973 total of new
wells increased nearly eight percent
over 1972.
In 1973 a total of 670 wells were
completed as compared to 618 in
1972, an increase of 8 percent. How-
ever, 1,137 permits were issued in
1973, leaving 467 not completed, or
only 59 percent of the wells actually
drilled.
For 1972, 618 wells were completed
out of a total of 821 applications for
permits received by the Water District
-a total of 75 percent.
A few counties within the District
in which well drilling is the most active
are Bailey, Castro, Deaf Smith, Lamb
and Parmer. Statistics in those coun-OF HIGH PLAINS
State Water Leaders View Economic Futurecerned his discussion with the immedi-
ate role of groundwater conservation
districts in relation to the long-range
goals of Water, Inc.
"The Water District's primary func-
tion is the economic utilization of the
existing water supplies," he said. Re-
use of tailwater through return sys-
tems, modification of existing playa
-continued on page 3 .. . STATEDrilling of Irrigation Wells
Continues to Rise in 1973ties for permits issued and wells com-
pleted are as follows:
PERMITS ISSUEDCounty
Bailey
Castro
Deaf Smith
Lamb
Parmer1972
60
79
121
91
1331973
123
139
163
186
201WELLS COMPLETED
County
Bailey
Castro
Deaf Smith
Lamb
Parmer1972
54
55
83
69
1031973
86
80
98
123
127Percent of
Increase
105
75
34
104
51
Percent of
increase
59
45
18
78
23Considering the eight-percent rise
in wells completed in 1973 as com-
pared to 1972, it might seem surpris-
ing that well permits received by the
District increased 38 percent during
the year and more than 100 percent
during the months of peak drilling
from 1969 to 1972.
However, it is suspected that the
primary reason for the increase in ap-
plications for water well permits may
be due to the removal of acreage
limitations on agricultural production.
These increases in applications may
also be attributed to the decline of the
water table, competition for well sites
-continued on page 2... DRILLINGRI
EUAgriculture -the backbone of the
American economy-and water-the
valuable resource which sustains it-
were the topics of debate in Lubbock,
February 16.
Water leaders from all areas of the
State of Texas were on hand at the
annual meeting of Water, Inc., to dis-
cuss the importance to the area, na-
tion, and even the world, of maintain-
ing the present level of agricultural
production on the High Plains.
"Compared to the outlook for our
High Plains water resources, the pres-
ent energy crisis is a short-term prob-
lem," said Texas Agriculture Commis-
sioner John C. White.
Affirmative Action Needed
He emphasized the need for af-
firmative action to expand water
resource programs in Texas, adding
that without action, "there simply will
not be any more major expansion in
our economy."
White described the High Plains
region of Texas, Oklahoma and New
Mexico as being one of the most im-
portant food and fiber producing areas
of the world.
He warned, "If our water plans are
shortsighted and action is shortcir-
cuited, it is inevitable that much of
this land must revert to its natural
state-a sea of sand and grasses-with
isolated pockets of subsistence agricul-
ture and substandard living."
On the immediate problem of fuelshortages, White noted that agricul-
tural producers are being asked to go
all out in production of food and fiber
this year.
Farmers Must Get Fuel
He said getting the fuel to the farm-
er when he needs it will be one of his
main concerns this year in helping the
farmer meet the plea for increased
production.
"It is imperative that farmers re-
ceive their fuel requirements, since
agriculture produces the most basic
energy of all-food," the Commis-
sioner concluded.
During the afternoon session of the
meeting, a panel, comprised of the
General Managers of three ground-
water conservation districts, com-
mented on various aspects of the dis-
tricts' conservation programs.
J. W. Buchanan, North Plains
Underground Water District, Dumas,
said his staff is backing research on
crop efficiency in relation to the
amount of water applied.
Efficiency Needed
Noting that his district advocates
the increased use of return systems
and sprinkler systems in order to re-
ceive the maximum benefit of water
used, Buchanan said, "The responsi-
bility lies with the farmer to manage
all of his water more efficiently."
Frank Rayner, Manager, High
Plains Underground Water Conserva-
tion District No. 1, Lubbock, con-I
i2H
From left to right, Frank Rayner, Felix Ryals and J. W. Buchanan, General Man-
agers of the three underground water conservation districts, in the High Plains,
participate in a panel discussion in Lubbock, February 16.r MUNICIPAL
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High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1 (Tex.). The Cross Section, Volume 20, Number 2, February 1974, periodical, February 1974; Lubbock, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1532987/m1/1/?q=%22~1%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.