Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District Approves Phase II of $150,000 Subsidence Study

CONROE, TX -- The Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District (LSGCD) announced that it approved Phase II of a first-of-its-kind subsidence study. This phase will build on the initial phase of the study by developing a long-term plan for data collection and evaluation to help policymakers understand the effects of groundwater pumping on subsidence in Montgomery County.

'Subsidence is an important issue and remains a concern to many of our residents, especially those who reside in areas that might be subject to subsidence like the Woodlands,' said LSGCD President Harry Hardman. 'This study is a necessary step for to us have a holistic understanding of subsidence, help mitigate potential impacts and equip all residents of Montgomery County with the information needed for them to take the necessary steps locally to protect themselves. It will also allow those not being impacted by subsidence the information necessary to make the right decision for them. We are incredibly proud to move forward with the second phase of this distinctive study.”

During Phase I of the subsidence study, consultants compiled a database of past subsidence studies, assessed historical models and prioritized additional work on the issue. Phase II, expected to be completed in 2022, will focus on evaluating compaction in Montgomery County and develop a long-term plan for data collection and monitoring. Future phases of the study include site-specific investigations and field-work such as core sampling to better understand the compressibility of the aquifers in Montgomery County.

Each stage is designed to help LSGCD, the county, local areas of the county most susceptible to subsidence, and the greater Groundwater Management Area 14 (GMA 14) develop a better understanding of where subsidence is occurring, why it is occurring, and how to address potential impacts.

LSGCD continues to push back on GMA 14's proposed subsidence Desired Future Condition (DFC), which proposes to limit subsidence in the GMA to no more than an average of 1-foot between 2009 and 2080. The proposed subsidence metric creates arbitrary restrictions, which LSGCD cannot accurately measure, rather than allowing the results of this study to help drive subsidence policy for Montgomery County and the region.

LSGCD continues to be aware of and sensitive to ongoing threats of subsidence to its constituents and recognizes the most effective action is taken at the local and municipal level, encouraging all residents concerned about subsidence to contact their local Municipal Utility District (MUD) or public water provider to discuss the issue and possible local solutions that might be available to them.