2026 Groundwater Stewardship Scholarship
The Groundwater Stewardship Scholarship Contest aims to reward students who can articulate a clear and insightful narrative about water in their community while proposing ideas for responsible groundwater management. Unlike a traditional research paper, this scholarship encourages students to explore creative formats, drawing on real-world observations, personal experiences, and local connections.
Eligibility
All 2026 senior students residing in one of the four counties, Bosque, Comanche, Coryell, or Erath, that overlap district boundaries.
Award
The top four recipients will each receive a $1,500 scholarship, while the next two recipients will each be awarded $1,000. In total, six scholarships will be distributed across the district, with the possibility of multiple winners from a single county. These scholarships can be applied to the community college, university, or technical training institution of the recipient’s choice. Scholarship funds will be disbursed directly to the selected school upon confirmation of enrollment.
All complete applications are due Friday, April 10, 2026.
Additional Links for Research
State Water Agencies and Planning
Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
https://www.twdb.texas.gov/groundwater/index.asp
The Texas Water Development Board provides comprehensive data on groundwater, including well reports, aquifer studies, and management strategies. They also maintain the Water Information Integration & Dissemination (WIID) system, a database with groundwater data for Texas.
TWDB Texas State Water Plan
https://2022.texasstatewaterplan.org/
This website lets water users statewide take an up-close look at the 2022 State Water Plan data and how water needs change over time by showing projected water demands, existing water supplies, the relative severity and projected water needs (potential shortages), the water management strategies recommended to address potential shortages, and recommended capital projects and their sponsors.
Bosque County Water Supply Planning Information and Resources
http://www.twdb.texas.gov/waterplanning/rwp/outreach/doc/bosque.pdf
This document summarizes key water supply planning information for Bosque County and highlights planning and drought resources available from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).
Comanche County Water Supply Planning Information and Resources
http://www.twdb.texas.gov/waterplanning/rwp/outreach/doc/comanche.pdf
This document summarizes key water supply planning information for Comanche County and highlights planning and drought resources available from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).
Coryell County Water Supply Planning Information and Resources
http://www.twdb.texas.gov/waterplanning/rwp/outreach/doc/coryell.pdf
This document summarizes key water supply planning information for Coryell County and highlights planning and drought resources available from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).
Erath County Water Supply Planning Information and Resources
http://www.twdb.texas.gov/waterplanning/rwp/outreach/doc/erath.pdf
This document summarizes key water supply planning information for Erath County and highlights planning and drought resources available from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).
USGS: How Much Water Do You Use at Home?
https://water.usgs.gov/edu/activity-percapita.html
An online form used to estimate personal water usage.
Educational Resources and Extension Services
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/assets/environment-natural-resources/water/groundwater-wells/
The AgriLife Extension offers educational programs on groundwater conservation, well management, and water quality. They also host the Texas Well Owner Network, which provides training and resources for private well owners to maintain water quality.
The Meadow Center for Water and the Environment
https://txhillcountrywater.wp.txstate.edu/
Based at Texas State University, this organization conducts research and provides educational resources on aquifers like the Edwards and Trinity, as well as on sustainable groundwater use in the Texas Hill Country.
USGS: Aquifers and Groundwater
https://www.usgs.gov/water-science-school/science/aquifers-and-groundwater
This webpage provides more information on the basics of quifers and groundwater.
Research institutions
Bureau of Economic Geology at UT Austin
The Bureau conducts studies on groundwater sustainability, contamination, and aquifer modeling. Their research is focused on long-term water resource planning and the interaction between groundwater and surface water systems.
Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts GCD Index
Data and Monitoring Networks
TexMesonet – Statewide earth observation data collection network