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Groundwater Practical

A local district regulates groundwater in this county

Matagorda County Home & Property

Matagorda County is entirely within the Coastal Plains Groundwater Conservation District. This district was created by the Texas Legislature in 2001. It regulates the drilling of water wells and manages how much groundwater can be used in the county.

If you need a private well on rural land, you will need to follow the district's rules. The district office is in Bay City. Contact them before you drill. The Texas Water Development Board also has groundwater resource studies for this county if you want to understand what aquifers are available.

Content last revised 2026-07-11

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More stories and useful context near Matagorda County

A balanced next shelf: local character first, with practical context close by.

Stories & local character

Bay City replaced an older town as the county seat in 1894

Bay City was founded in 1894 on the Bay Prairie between the Colorado River and Caney Creek, then quickly grew into a railroad and rice-farming hub.

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Practical

Flood maps for this county were recently revised

FEMA released revised preliminary flood maps for Matagorda County in early 2025, which could change flood insurance requirements for some properties.

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Stories & local character

A large nuclear power plant operates in this county

The South Texas Project nuclear power plant, about 12 miles south of Bay City, is one of the largest nuclear stations in the country and a major local employer.

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Practical

Coastal homes may need windstorm insurance through the state

Matagorda County is in TWIA's coastal coverage area, so wind and hail insurance can involve extra steps before closing.

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Place pages in Matagorda County

Bay CityPalacios

Nearby county shelves

Jackson (7) Wharton (12) Calhoun (16) Brazoria (39) Fort Bend (58) Victoria (24)