Well Water in Armstrong County Comes from the Ogallala Aquifer

Buy rural land in Armstrong County and your water will most likely come from a well. That well taps the Ogallala Aquifer, the largest aquifer in the United States. The Texas Water Development Board says it underlies 36,293 square miles across 49 Texas counties. About 95 percent of the water pumped from the Ogallala in Texas goes to farm irrigation.

The aquifer is being used faster than it refills. Water levels have dropped in many areas over the past several decades. As the water drops deeper, pumping costs go up. The northern part of the Ogallala — which covers the Armstrong County area — usually has fresher water than areas south of the Canadian River.

Parts of Armstrong County fall under the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District. That district covers Carson, Donley, Gray, Roberts, and Wheeler counties, plus parts of Armstrong, Hutchinson, and Potter counties. It requires permits for new wells and checks water levels every year. Before buying land with a well, ask for a well log, get the water tested, and check the current well depth and water level with the groundwater district.