Seymour Aquifer, North-Central Texas
Colin Kraft
Spring 2015
GO 571 – Hydrogeology
Dr. Marcia K. Schulmeister
Geography and Climate
The Seymour aquifer is located within the ranges of North Central Texas about 250 miles North-Northwest of the Gulf of Mexico. The elevation of the specific Rolling Hills range of the studied area, varies between 500 and 800ft above sea level. This certain area is a described as a humid-subtropical climate with hot summers. The Rolling Hills range is characterized by a wide-annual temperature range which classifies the climate as continental. Precipitation fluctuates considerably, in numbers ranging from less than 20” to 50” annually. The graph below is from the National Climatic Data Center. The graph displays the specific monthly precipitation data for the month of April from the years of 1980 to 2015. (NOAA, 2015)
Figure 2. Texas, Climate Division 3, Precipitation, April (NOAA, 2015)
In Figure 2 , the month of April, in which we usually associate with rain or “Spring Showers,” has been mostly below the average precipitation line of 3.34” for North Central Texas over the last 114 years. This can be expected with the large fluctuation in temperature across the region. The graph to the left (Figure 3.) shows the maximum temperature average for the North Central Texas region for the month of August from 1980 to 2014. This graph is a bit more even in terms of “hot” and “cool” summers compared to the monthly average of August over the last 114 years.
Figure 3. Texas, Climate Division 3, Maximum Temperature, August (NOAA, 2015)
The high temperatures in the summer are associated with westerly winds, fair skies, and low humidity. The “hot-spells” in the summers can range from three-five days at a time. There are seldom nights in the summer where the temperature will drop below 80°F. The temperature variations throughout the year range from 37°F in January to 95°F in August. (NHNCT)