Blossom Aquiferinteractive map | cross-section

Summary

The Blossom Aquifer is a minor aquifer located in Bowie, Red River, and Lamar counties in the northeast corner of Texas. The aquifer consists of the Blossom Sand Formation, composed of alternating sequences of sand and clay. In places, the aquifer is as much as 400 feet thick, although no more than about one-third of this thickness consists of sand, and freshwater saturated thickness averages 25 feet.

The aquifer yields water of usable quality to wells located mostly in outcrop areas. However, in part of Red River County, slightly saline water, with total dissolved solids less than 3,000 milligrams per liter, extends underground for about 6 miles south of the outcrop. Groundwater in the Blossom Aquifer is generally soft, slightly alkaline, and, in some areas, high in sodium, bicarbonate, iron, and fluoride.

Although water quality is not acceptable for irrigation, it is generally acceptable for nonindustrial uses. Municipal pumping accounts for a large percentage of total pumpage from the aquifer. Clarksville and the Red River County Water Supply Corporation in Red River County have historically pumped the greatest amounts from the aquifer, causing water level declines. In recent years, however, the rate of decline has slowed or even stabilized in some wells as a result of more surface water use in the area.

Reports