Water Supply Stories & local character

Water Is Scarce and Saline in Loving County

This is one of the driest places in Texas. The county averages just over 10 inches of rainfall a year. Early settlers tried to irrigate farmland using the Pecos River and local wells, but the water was too saline. Those projects failed repeatedly.

If you plan to drill a well, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) maintains a groundwater database with records of wells drilled in the area. You can search for nearby well logs to get an idea of water depth and quality before you drill. Water supply in Loving County is a serious practical concern for any property owner. Check the TWDB groundwater data viewer for local well records.

Content last revised 2026-07-11

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More stories and useful context near Loving County

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Stories & local character

Loving County Was Organized Twice — Oil Made It Stick

Loving County was first organized in 1893 under fraudulent circumstances and collapsed; it was reorganized in 1931 after oil was discovered, and its population has remained among the smallest of any county in the country.

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Stories & local character

Lake Palo Pinto Supplies Drinking Water to Mineral Wells

Lake Palo Pinto is the main water supply for Mineral Wells — rural properties outside city service areas often rely on private wells.

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Practical

Mineral Rights and Surface Rights Can Be Separate

In Loving County, buying land does not always mean you own the oil and gas under it. The mineral estate can be separate from the surface.

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Stories & local character

Many Rural Properties in Upshur County Rely on Private Wells

Homes outside city limits in Upshur County often use private water wells, which are tracked by the Texas Water Development Board.

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Nearby county shelves

Winkler (5) Ward (5) Reeves (5) Ector (25) Andrews (7) Culberson (5)