Irrigation Well Drilling in West Texas: Cost, Depth, and What Farmers Need to Know

# Irrigation Well Drilling in West Texas: Cost, Depth, and What Farmers Need to Know

Irrigation well drilling is one of the largest capital investments a West Texas farmer will make. Across the South Plains and Texas Panhandle, nearly every irrigated acre depends on groundwater pulled from the Ogallala Aquifer, and the decisions you make during the drilling process affect your operation for decades.

Whether you are putting in a new center pivot system near Lubbock, replacing an aging well in Hale County, or expanding irrigated acreage in Lamb or Dawson County, this guide covers what the drilling process actually looks like, what it costs, and how to avoid the mistakes that turn a productive well into an expensive problem.

How Deep Are Irrigation Wells in West Texas?

Well depth across the Texas High Plains varies dramatically depending on your location relative to the Ogallala Aquifer's saturated thickness. The aquifer is not uniform. Some areas south of Lubbock have seen significant drawdown over the past 40 years, while portions of the northern Panhandle still hold substantial reserves.

Here is a general breakdown of typical irrigation well depths by area:

| Area | Typical Well Depth | Saturated Thickness | Notes | |------|-------------------|--------------------:|-------| | Lubbock County | 150 - 250 ft | 30 - 80 ft | Moderate drawdown; declining | | Hale County (Plainview) | 200 - 350 ft | 50 - 120 ft | Strong aquifer zone | | Lamb County (Littlefield) | 180 - 300 ft | 40 - 100 ft | Variable by section | | Dawson County (Lamesa) | 100 - 200 ft | 20 - 60 ft | Thinner aquifer; careful siting critical | | Terry County (Brownfield) | 120 - 220 ft | 25 - 70 ft | Declining in southern sections | | Floyd County (Floydada) | 200 - 350 ft | 60 - 130 ft | Better saturated thickness | | Bailey County (Muleshoe) | 150 - 280 ft | 40 - 90 ft | Variable; test holes recommended |

These numbers represent the depth to the base of the usable aquifer. Your actual pump setting depth will typically be 10 to 20 feet above the bottom of the saturated zone to avoid pulling sand and to maintain adequate submergence during peak demand.

What Does Irrigation Well Drilling Cost in West Texas?

Drilling costs in the South Plains region have increased steadily over the past several years due to rising steel prices, equipment costs, and demand for drilling rigs. Here is what most operations are seeing in 2026:

| Cost Component | Typical Range | Notes | |----------------|-------------:|-------| | Drilling (per foot) | $35 - $65 | Varies by formation hardness and depth | | Casing (per foot) | $15 - $30 | Steel casing; PVC for shallow zones | | Screen and gravel pack | $3,000 - $8,000 | Critical for sand-free production | | Development and testing | $2,000 - $5,000 | Includes pump test to verify yield | | Pump and motor | $15,000 - $40,000 | Submersible or line shaft; VFD optional | | Electrical and panel | $5,000 - $15,000 | Depends on distance to power | | Permit and fees | $150 - $500 | Groundwater Conservation District |

For a typical 250-foot irrigation well in the Lubbock area with a submersible pump, total installed cost runs between $60,000 and $120,000. Wells requiring VFD (variable frequency drive) pump systems on the higher end, but the energy savings typically pay back the additional cost within three to five irrigation seasons.

The Drilling Process: What to Expect

Step 1: Site Selection and Test Hole

Before committing to a full-size production well, most experienced drillers recommend a test hole. A 6-inch test hole costs a fraction of the full well and tells you exactly what you are working with: formation type, water-bearing zones, saturated thickness, and static water level.

In areas like southern Dawson County or western Terry County where saturated thickness is marginal, skipping the test hole is a gamble you do not want to take. Pro-Tech Irrigation works with producers across the South Plains to evaluate test hole data and match the right pump and pivot configuration to actual aquifer conditions.

Step 2: Permitting

Every new irrigation well in Texas must be permitted through your local Groundwater Conservation District (GCD). In the Lubbock area, that is the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1, which covers all or parts of 16 counties across the South Plains and Panhandle.

The permit application requires your proposed well location, estimated pumping capacity, and intended use. Processing time varies, but plan for 30 to 60 days. Some districts also require spacing from existing wells, which can affect where you place the well on your section.

Step 3: Drilling and Completion

Once permitted, the drilling crew mobilizes a rotary rig to the site. Drilling a 250-foot well typically takes two to four days depending on formation conditions. The caliche layers common across Lubbock, Hale, and Lamb counties can slow progress, but experienced West Texas drillers know these formations well.

After drilling, the well is cased with steel pipe, and a gravel pack and screen are installed in the water-bearing zone. This screen design is critical. A poorly designed screen lets sand into the well, which destroys pumps and clogs pivot nozzles.

Step 4: Development and Pump Testing

The completed well is developed by surging and pumping to clear drilling fluids and fine sediment from the formation around the screen. A formal pump test, usually 24 to 72 hours, establishes the well's sustainable yield in gallons per minute (GPM).

This pump test data is essential for sizing your irrigation system. A well producing 400 GPM supports a very different pivot configuration than one producing 800 GPM. Getting this right upfront prevents years of under-irrigating or over-pumping.

Step 5: Pump Installation and Connection

With test data in hand, the pump, motor, and discharge piping are installed. For wells feeding a center pivot, the discharge pipe runs underground to the pivot pad. VFD-equipped pump systems are increasingly common on the South Plains because they allow the pump speed to match actual water demand, reducing energy costs by 20 to 35 percent compared to fixed-speed setups.

How to Choose a Well Driller in West Texas

Not every drilling company specializes in agricultural irrigation wells. Here are the factors that matter most when selecting a driller in the Lubbock area or across the Texas High Plains:

• • Formation experience: The driller should have extensive experience with the Ogallala formation and the caliche, red clay, and sandstone layers above it. A driller who primarily works in East Texas or the Hill Country does not know these formations.
• • Screen design capability: Ask specifically about their gravel pack and screen design process. This is where the difference between a 20-year well and a 5-year problem starts.
• • Pump test included: Any reputable driller includes a multi-hour pump test as part of the well completion. If they do not, find someone who does.
• • References from local producers: Talk to other farmers in your county. The best drillers in Hale County, Lamb County, or Crosby County are well known by the producers they serve.

Connecting Your New Well to a Center Pivot

The well itself is only half the project. Matching the well's production capacity to the right center pivot system determines whether your investment actually delivers the irrigation efficiency you need.

Pro-Tech Irrigation specializes in connecting new wells to center pivot systems across the South Plains. As a certified T-L Irrigation dealer serving the Lubbock area, Pro-Tech evaluates your well data, field geometry, and crop plan to recommend the right pivot configuration. T-L hydraulic drive systems are particularly well-suited for West Texas operations because their continuous movement eliminates the rutting problems caused by electric stop-and-go systems on sandy South Plains soils.

Whether you are drilling a new well in Floyd County, replacing aging infrastructure near Plainview, or expanding irrigated acreage in Bailey County, the well and the pivot system need to be planned together from the start.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to drill an irrigation well in West Texas?

Most irrigation wells in the South Plains take two to four days to drill, plus an additional three to five days for casing, screen installation, development, and pump testing. Total project time from mobilization to a pumping well is typically two to three weeks, not counting permit processing time.

How many gallons per minute does a typical West Texas irrigation well produce?

Production varies widely by location and aquifer conditions. Wells in the Lubbock area commonly produce 300 to 600 GPM, while wells in stronger aquifer zones like Floyd and Hale counties can produce 600 to 1,200 GPM. A pump test is the only reliable way to determine your specific well's capacity.

Do I need a permit to drill an irrigation well in Texas?

Yes. All new irrigation wells must be permitted through your local Groundwater Conservation District. In the Lubbock area, the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1 handles permitting. Applications require well location, estimated capacity, and intended use. Plan for 30 to 60 days of processing time.

How long does an irrigation well last in the Ogallala Aquifer region?

A properly drilled and maintained irrigation well in West Texas typically lasts 20 to 30 years before requiring major rehabilitation or redrilling. The most common issues that shorten well life are sand production from poor screen design and declining aquifer levels that reduce the available drawdown.

Can I finance an irrigation well through EQIP or other programs?

The USDA EQIP program and the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) both offer cost-share assistance for irrigation infrastructure improvements, including well drilling in some cases. Eligibility depends on your operation and the specific conservation practices being implemented. Pro-Tech Irrigation can help you evaluate which programs apply to your project.

Plan Your Next Irrigation Well with Pro-Tech Irrigation

Drilling an irrigation well is a major investment, and the decisions made during planning and drilling affect your operation for decades. Pro-Tech Irrigation works with farmers and ranchers across the West Texas South Plains to evaluate aquifer conditions, coordinate with drillers, size pump systems, and connect new wells to center pivot irrigation systems that maximize every gallon.

Call Pro-Tech Irrigation at (214) 264-4793 to discuss your well project and get a complete assessment of your irrigation options.