Lost Pines GCD
District Snapshot
Tucked between Bastrop and Lee Counties, Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District was created in 1999 by Senate Bill 1911 during the 76th Texas Legislature. The bill was ratified by the Legislature in 2001, paving the way for the local voter approval. In November 2002, voters in Bastrop and Lee Counties confirmed the creation of the fee-based District. LPGCD is governed locally by ten citizens, (five from each county) who have been appointed by their respective County Commissioners Courts to serve as directors for a term of four years.
Understanding the Water Beneath
The primary aquifer in the Lost Pines GCD is the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, a major aquifer recognized by the State of Texas. This aquifer system includes the Carrizo Formation and the Wilcox Group, which is made up of the Hooper (lower), Simsboro (middle), and Calvert Bluff (upper) Formations. These formations are hydrologically connected and widely used for groundwater production within the District.
Minor aquifers within the District include the Queen City, Sparta, and Yegua-Jackson aquifers. These are located stratigraphically above the Carrizo-Wilcox and contribute to groundwater availabiity in parts of the District.
The Trinity Aquifer, also classified as a major aquifer, underlies the District but is rarely used due to its depth and poor water quality in the area. Additionally, while not classified as a major or minor aquifer by the state, the Colorado River Alluvium yields significant water to wells near the river.
District Program Overview
Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District has various features and programs that show our strong focus on community engagement, science-based decision making, and local groundwater stewardship.
Groundwater & Well Related Programs
Groundwater Mitigation Program – Provides financial assistance to landowners within the District to lower their pumps or drill a new well if groundwater production has caused water levels to decline below the pump intake
Well Watch Program – Voluntary well monitoring partnership with landowners for water level and quality data collection
Well Capping & Plugging Support – Assistance and cost-share options for properly capping or plugging abandoned or non-compliant wells
Free Flow Meter Program – Provides meters at no cost to agricultural well owners to promote accurate water use tracking
Joint Planning & Resources
Planning Group Affiliations – Region G, Region K, and GMA 12
Participation in Proactive Watershed Planning – Active role in the Middle Yegua Creek Watershed Protection Plan
Groundwater Data Transparency – Online access to well monitoring data, permitting records, and District publications
Outreach
Well Drillers Education Workshop – Educational sessions for local drillers on District rules, permit processes, and best practices
Education & Outreach Program – TEKS aligned classroom presentations, activities, teacher support, contests, and scholarships
Rainwater Harvesting Rebate Program – Incentive program for residential and agricultural rainwater collection systems
Free Public Workshops – Events covering rainwater harvesting, groundwater science, watershed-groundwater relationships, water conservation lawn care, and well owner maintenance
Community Events & Expos – Regular participation in local fairs, expos, and conservation events to engage and educate the public
Youth & Community
Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District goes above and beyond typical district requirements by investing heavily in education, youth engagement, and community outreach. Each year, the District awards college scholarships to graduating high school seniors in Bastrop and Lee Counties through a competitive essay contest focused on water conservation , groundwater science, and drought resilience. In addition, the district hosts art and poster contests to engage younger students and encourage creative thiking around water stewardship. Winning artwork is featured in a District calendar, which helps raise awareness year-round.
LPGCD also proudly sponsors a Texas 4-H Water Ambassador from our District by covering the full tuition for the ambassador program.
Ambassadors also accrue $1,250 each year they participate, with the funds awarded upon high school graduation for use toward trade school or university. Students who complete all four years recevie a total of $5,000 in educational support. These outreach efforts not only foster local leadership but build long-term public awareness and support groundwater protection.
District Outreach Goals
The District has several outreach and education goals focused on increasing public understanding of groundwater issues and encouraging community engagement. Plans include hosting workshops for permit holders that will address the future of groundwater availability and the potential need for production curtailments to support long-term sustainability. The District is also developing a grant program to support rainwater harvesting systems for property owners who do not have access to well water or a municipal water supply.
In addition, LPGCD is exploring the creation of a documentary film that tells the story of water int he Lost Pines region, from its historical use to current challenges, with the goal of helping residents in Bastrop and Lee Counties better understand and value their groundwater.
Regional Planning
The District is working toward strengthening regional collaboration through interlocal agreements that address shared groundwater management challenges. Key goals include developing coordinated groundwater curtailment strategies across district boundaries and establishing a regional groundwater mitigation program to support landowners whose wells are impacted by production in neighboring districts. These efforts aim to promote consistency, fairness, and sustainable resource management throughout the broader region.
Committed to Landowners Through Science
The Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District is committed to supporting landowners, improving data collection, and investing in science-based tools that guide responsible grounwater managment. Through a variety of programs and strategic initiatives, the District works to enhance groundwater understanding, promote sustainable practices, and protect water resources across Bastrop and Lee Counties.
The Well Watch Program is a standout initiative that engages local landowners in groundwater science by inviting them to participate in volunatry well monitoring. As part of this program, District staff visit participating wells twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, to measure water levels.
In addition, water quality sampling is conducted annually. This program helps the District track changes in the aquifer over time while giving landowners valuable insights into their own wells. It also strengthens community trust and involvement in groundwater stewardship.
The District’s Groundwater Mititgation Program provides financial support to landowners whose domestic or livestock wells experience water level declines below the pump due to groundwater production from other wells. Funds may be used for parts, equipment, and labor to lower the pump or drill a new well if needed. Tied directly to documented water level data and well registration, the program helps maintain the functionality of private wells while promoting sustainabile aquifer stewardship. We are proud to support our communities by helping landowners restore access to groundwater when their wells are affected by pumping within or across District boundaries.
Additionally, in response to recent rule changes, the District launched a Free Flow Meter Program to help agricultural well owners comply with new metering requirements. The program was made possible through a $50,000 matching grant from TWDB. This proactive initiative improves the accuracy of groundwater use tracking while reducing financial barriers for producers.
One of the District’s key goals is to register all existing wells within its boundaries to create a more complete and accurate understanding of groundwater use across Bastrop and Lee Counties.The District is committed to maintaining comprehensive records of water level measurements, water quality data, and production volumes from permitted wells. These records are stored in the District’s publicly accessible database, supporting transpartent, science-based groundwater management and informing long-term planning and groundwater protection.
Think Smart. Save Water. Save Money.
LPGCD has made major investments in scientific modeling to strengthen groundwater management across its counties. In 2022, the District partnered with hydrology consultants at LRE Water to develop a detailed 3D map of the local aquifers using geological data from over 2,000 oil wells. This foundational work took over a year and cost $100,000, setting the stage for future improvements. Building on that effort, LPGCD was awarded a $150,000 matching grant from the Bureau of Reclamation in 2024 to upgrade the District’s Groundwater Availability Model (GAM). The updated model, also developed with LRE Water, provides a clearer and more detailed understanding of how pumping affects different parts of the aquifer. With this advanced tool, LPGCD is better equipped to evaluate permits, identify areas needing additional monitoring or conservation, and make data-driven decisions to protect our water resources. These projects reflect the District’s long-term commitment to using the best available science to manage groundwater effectively.
Together, these efforts represent a comprehensive and forward-looking approach to groundwater stewardship. By combining landowner partnerships, financial assistance, data transparency, and scientific modeling, Lost Pines GCD continues to advance its mission of managing and protecting groundwater with integrity, accountability, and a long-term view of the region’s water future.
Content for this feature was provided by Claire Marks, Lost Pines GCD.