Texas Porch

Water Rights

A local district regulates groundwater pumping

The Hudspeth County Underground Water Conservation District No. 1 requires permits for most irrigation wells and tracks how much groundwater is pumped.

Hudspeth County Home & Property

Water is scarce in Hudspeth County. The Texas Water Development Board says more than 99 percent of the county's water use goes to irrigation. The main source of underground water is the Bone Spring-Victorio Peak aquifer, in the northeast part of the county. The Rio Grande provides almost no usable water during a drought.

A local agency — the Hudspeth County Underground Water Conservation District No. 1 — controls how that groundwater is used. It issues permits for irrigation wells. It also requires flow meters on wells that are not exempt, so it can track how much water is pumped.

If you plan to drill a new well, or if you are buying land with a well already on it, check with this district first. Their management plan was last updated in 2024. You can find contact information through the Texas Water Development Board.

Source to confirm: TWDB — Hudspeth County Underground Water Conservation District Management Plan 2024

More Hudspeth County notes

Property Tax

Two offices handle your property taxes here

In Hudspeth County, one office sets your property value and a separate office handles vehicle registration. Neither office is the same as your property tax collector.

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Mineral Rights

Your land deed may not include what is underground

In Texas, the mineral rights and the land surface can be owned by different people. The mineral owner has the stronger legal right to access the property.

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Vehicle Registration

No emissions test required for vehicle registration here

Hudspeth County is not on the state list of counties that require an emissions test. Since January 2025, most Texas vehicles no longer need a safety inspection to register either.

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Hunting

Mule deer and pronghorn require specific permits here

Hudspeth County is in the Trans-Pecos hunting zone for mule deer. Pronghorn hunting requires a special permit issued to landowners.

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