From the beginning of time, life has revolved around water.
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Transcript of From the beginning of time, life has revolved around water.
From the beginning of time, life has revolved around water.
Water supports all living things - humans, plants & wildlife.
Texas’ primary sources of water are groundwater and surface
water.
Groundwater:Water found underground
Nature stores groundwater in underground spaces in rock formations called aquifers.
Texas Groundwater
• OGALLALA• GULF COAST• EDWARDS• CARRIZO• TRINITY• EDWARDS-TRINITY• SEYMOUR• HUECO-MESILLA
BOLSON• CENOZOIC PECOS
ALLUVIUM
96% of the groundwater we use comes from these nine aquifers:
Rainwater Recharges Aquifers
Drainage Area Recharge Zone
Artesian Zone
Younger Formations
Older Formations
Relatively Impermeable
Edwards Limestones
Relatively Impermeable
Water Table Spring
Artesian SpringArtesian
Well
BalconesFault Zone
Edwards Water Table Aquifer
EdwardsArtesian Aquifer
Typical Cross-Section of the Edwards Aquifer Region
Land Surface
Aquifers feed streams, rivers, and wildlife through springs.
Groundwater is the primary source for water for irrigation in Texas.
Surface water:Water found on the surface of
the earth
Rivers, streams and lakes comprise Texas’ surface water.
Surface Water
191,000 miles of rivers and streams
15 major river basins
Texas has wide, shallow prairie rivers…
…and clear, spring-fed streams creating pristine habitats for unique
species.
Slow-moving water in bayous sustain bottomland hardwood forests.
Surface water flows towards the Gulf of Mexico.
Rivers deliver important nutrients and sediment to coastal wetlands.
Our coastal wetlands buffer our coast from storms…
…and serve as nurseries for our seafood, including
shrimp, crabs and sportfish.
Coastal wetlands also provide habitat for both migrating and resident birds.
Texans throughout history have shared water resources with
wildlife.
As populations grew, the demand for fresh water grew.
People built dams to control flooding and corral a steady supply of freshwater.
Today, virtually all of Texas’ 1.7 million acres of lakes are man-made.
Caddo Lake is Texas’ only naturally-created lake
These reservoirs provide drinking water to about half the state.
They provide opportunities for industry, development, tourism and
recreation.
Reservoirs and other water demands upstream can alter life in wetlands.
In addition to altering water flow, Texas' population is expected to double between 2000 and 2050.
Sharing water with each other and wildlife is an unfolding challenge
facing future Texans.
How will you conserve
fresh waters of Texas?