Work

From Sinking Ground to Alternative Solutions: How the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District Regulates Groundwater Withdrawal to Prevent Subsidence

Year: 2025

Type: preprint

Abstract: Land subsidence in the greater Houston region was ﬁrst identiﬁed at Goose Creek Oil Field in Baytown, Texas, with three feet of measured subsidence over eight years beginning in 1918. With increased industrialization and population growth, the region relied on groundwater to support and sustain development. This excessive groundwater use caused aquifer compaction which led to land subsidence measured at over nine feet in some areas. Some subsidence impacts were increased flooding and infrastructure damage that ultimately led to the creation of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD) by the Texas Legislature in 1975. HGSD’s mission is to regulate groundwater withdrawal to prevent further subsidence.

DOI: 10.22541/essoar.176536625.52614057/v1

Authors: Ashley Greuter, Michael Turco, Jason Afinowicz, John Ellis, Sunil Kommineni

Institution: Civitas University

Language: English

Topic: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Applications and Techniques

Subfield: Geophysics

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W4417189363

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