Water Wells in Hockley County Come from the Ogallala Aquifer

The Ogallala Aquifer stretches under roughly 174,000 square miles across eight states. It is the main water source for Hockley County. The aquifer is unconfined, meaning it acts like an underground lake of sand and gravel. Water levels vary widely across the county and across the High Plains region.

The High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1 (HPWD) regulates wells in Hockley County. If your well is expected to produce 17.5 gallons per minute or more, you need a permit before drilling. The permit fee is $250. Smaller wells may be registered voluntarily, which protects your site from new wells being drilled within 100 yards. If you are buying rural land with a private well, ask about the well's permitted status and depth. The HPWD website has an interactive map showing water levels and aquifer thickness by location.