Brackish Resources Aquifer Characterization System (BRACS)
In 2009, the 81st Texas Legislature, approved funding to implement the Brackish Resources Aquifers Characterization System (BRACS) program to more thoroughly characterize the brackish aquifers. In 2015, the 84th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 30, directing the TWDB to identify and designate brackish groundwater production zones in the state. The 86th Texas Legislature also passed Senate Bill 1041 that extended the deadline to complete zone designations from December 1, 2022, to December 1, 2032, and House Bill 722 that established a permitting framework for developing water supplies from TWDB-designated brackish groundwater productions zones. To learn more about status of zone designation visit our webpage.
Goals of Brackish Resources Aquifer Characterization System:
- Map and characterize the brackish aquifers of the state in greater detail using existing water well reports, geophysical well logs, and available aquifer data.
- Build datasets that can be used for groundwater exploration and replicable numerical groundwater flow models to estimate aquifer productivity.
In 2003, a TWDB-funded study laid the foundation for determining brackish groundwater volumes and estimated Texas has approximately 2.5 billion acre-feet of brackish groundwater. However, the study was by design regional in scope, limited in a real extent, and conservative in its estimate of groundwater quantity. Completed studies to date indicate an estimated 3.2 billion ac-ft of total brackish groundwater volumes in place with TDS concentrations between 1,000 and 10,000 mg/L.
Estimated brackish storage volumes from completed studies.
TERS and BRACS volume calculation differences
Brackish salinity zone volumes are estimates of in-place groundwater storage volume. Volumes calculated for brackish aquifer studies differ from TERS volumes determined by the TWDB Groundwater Availability Modeling (GAM) program for various reasons. Differences in water quality, area, saturated thickness, and the availability of static water levels can all create differing volume estimates. Additionally, BRACS does not estimate recoverable volumes.
Recent Maps
Legislative Reports
Reports due the the Legislature in even numbered years are included in the biennial desalination report. Reports due to the Legislature in odd numbered years are located below.