Groundwater

Most Well Water Here Comes From a Shrinking Aquifer

Cochran County sits on the Ogallala Aquifer, the main source of well water for the High Plains — and it is slowly declining.

Cochran County Home & Property

The Ogallala is the largest aquifer in the United States. It underlies most of the Texas Panhandle and High Plains, including Cochran County. About 95 percent of the water pumped from it goes to irrigate crops.

The problem is that pumping pulls out more water than rainfall puts back. Levels have dropped significantly in many parts of the aquifer over decades. If you plan to drill a well or buy land with irrigation, ask about current water depth and saturated thickness in that specific spot. The Texas Water Development Board tracks this data.

Source to confirm: Texas Water Development Board — Ogallala Aquifer

More Cochran County notes

Property Tax

Two Separate Offices Handle Your Property Taxes

In Cochran County, one office appraises your property's value and a separate office collects the tax bill.

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Property Tax Exemption

A Homestead Exemption Can Lower Your Tax Bill

If your home in Cochran County is your primary residence, you may qualify for a homestead exemption that reduces the taxable value of the property.

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Hunting

Cochran County Has Hunting for Deer, Pheasant, and Quail

Cochran County falls in Panhandle hunting zones, offering seasons for white-tailed deer, mule deer, pheasant, quail, and dove.

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Agriculture

Cotton and Farming Drive the Local Economy

Cochran County shifted from open-range ranching to crop farming in the 1920s, and cotton remains the backbone of the local economy today.

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