Aquifer info
Based on the available data, the primary aquifer serving Upshur County, Texas, is the **Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer**, and the depth required for a productive water well varies significantly depending on which aquifer layer you are targeting.
### 🗺️ The Primary Aquifer: Carrizo-Wilcox
The **Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer** is the main groundwater source for Upshur County. Official planning documents from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) show that the county’s water supply system is heavily reliant on this aquifer, with numerous Water Supply Corporations (e.g., Pritchett WSC, Union Grove WSC) and municipalities (e.g., Big Sandy) using it as a primary source .
### ⛏️ Well Depth: A Varied Range
The depth you need to drill depends entirely on which water-bearing zone you are targeting. Data from the USGS and historical records show a wide range of depths in use across the county:
* **Shallow Wells (The Water Table)**: Very old survey data suggests that a good supply of relatively pure water can be found just **35 to 40 feet** below the surface . This aligns with USGS records of a well completed in the **Queen City Sand** at a depth of only **47 feet** . These shallow depths are cost-effective but may be more susceptible to drought or surface contamination.
* **Moderate Depth (Wilcox Group)**: Many wells tap into the “Wilcox Group” at depths around **400 feet**. A USGS monitoring well recorded at this depth draws from the “Carrizo Sand and Wilcox Group, Undifferentiated” .
* **Deep Wells**: For higher volume or specific water quality requirements, wells can be significantly deeper. One USGS well in the county is recorded at a depth of **660 feet**, completed in the “Wilcox Group” .
### 📊 Summary of Depth Options
Here is a summary of the recorded well depths to help visualize the range:
| Target Depth | Aquifer / Formation | Source / Example Data |
| :— | :— | :— |
| **35 – 47 feet** | Water Table / Queen City Sand | 1942 Survey & USGS Well Data |
| **~ 400 feet** | Wilcox Group (Moderate Depth) | USGS Well Data (324332094591600) |
| **660+ feet** | Wilcox Group (Deep Zone) | USGS Well Data (324128094435501) |
### 📌 Critical Considerations Before Drilling
While the average cost of drilling is not determined by the aquifer data, there are several critical factors that will influence your specific project:
* **No Single Average**: Because the geology varies across the county, there is no single “average” depth. Your location will determine whether you hit water at 50 feet or need to go down to 600 feet.
* **Purpose of the Well**: Your intended use matters significantly. A small-diameter well for livestock watering might succeed at a shallower depth, while a high-yield municipal well often requires drilling deeper into the Wilcox Group to ensure sufficient volume and stability.
* **Consult Local Experts**: The most reliable step is to **contact a licensed well driller in Upshur County**. They have local logs and experience that can provide a realistic estimate for your specific address.
* **Check Regulations**: Always check with the **Upshur County** government and the **Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)** regarding current well permitting and registration requirements before drilling begins.
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