Lake Palo Pinto Supplies Drinking Water to Mineral Wells

Lake Palo Pinto sits about 15 miles southwest of Mineral Wells. It is on Palo Pinto Creek, which flows into the Brazos River. The Palo Pinto Municipal Water District No. 1 owns the lake. The City of Mineral Wells runs it for drinking water and industrial use. The dam was built between 1963 and 1964. At normal pool, the lake holds about 27,200 acre-feet of water. It covers roughly 2,176 surface acres.

If you buy rural property outside Mineral Wells or another town, you may not get city water. Many rural parcels use private water wells. Before you buy, ask a few key questions. Does the property have a working well? What is the water quality? Is there a groundwater conservation district in that area?

A groundwater conservation district is a local agency. It manages how much water people can pump from the ground. It also controls well permits. The Texas Water Development Board has information on water planning and aquifers for this part of Texas.