What is an Aquifer?

An aquifer is a body of porous rock or sediment saturated with groundwater. Groundwater enters an aquifer as precipitation seeps through the soil. It can move through the aquifer and resurface through springs and wells.

The Trinity Aquifer is a major aquifer located in Central and North Texas. The Trinity Aquifer is composed of 3 water bearing layers within the boundaries of the Middle Trinity Groundwater District. These layers are the Upper Trinity (Antlers, Paluxy, Upper Glen Rose), Middle Trinity (Lower Glen Rose, Hensell, Pearsall), and Lower Trinity (Hosston). Other water bearing formations in the District are Alluvium, and various formations within the Cross Timbers minor aquifer.

These formations can consist of different materials, ranging from porous limestone with clay and shale to water-bearing sands.

Groundwater

Groundwater is a finite, or limited, resource that is found within the pore spaces of the aquifer formation. As the water moves through the connected spaces it is filtered through the formations of the aquifer. Some formations of the Trinity transfer water faster than others due to the material found in the formation. Recharge rates also vary. Comanche and Erath Counties lie within the aquifer recharge zone where water levels can rise relatively quickly following a precipitation event. When a rain event occurs throughout Bosque or Coryell County, the recharge rates are much slower due to the vast limestone formations.