Bandera Canyonlands Alliance Makes Initial Donation and Continues Fundraising Campaign for Aquifer Monitoring Well Initiative to Protect Local Water Resources
Bandera County, Texas — August 3, 2026 — The Bandera Canyonlands Alliance (BCA) donated $50,000 to the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District (BCRAGD) on July 23, 2026, and formally announced the launch of an Aquifer Monitoring Well Initiative, a critical effort to safeguard water resources in western Bandera County by improving access to groundwater data.
Water is essential to life, yet Bandera County’s water supplies face mounting pressure from prolonged drought and increased development. Currently, western Bandera County lacks sufficient monitoring well data with limited systems to monitor the health and water levels of the Middle and Lower Trinity Aquifers—key sources of water for local landowners, agriculture, and livestock. It’s also important to point out that the springs that flow from these aquifers feed many of the streams and rivers in our region.
“This initiative is about giving our community the tools it needs to make informed decisions about our water future,” said BCA President Blake Stanford. “We hope our members and friends will join us by financially contributing to make this happen.”
To address this urgent need, BCA is launching a fundraising campaign to raise funding to drill two dedicated monitoring wells. Donors have already committed $50,000 to meet the $75,000 fundraising goal. The initial funding to begin the project has already been donated to the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District (BCRAGD). BCA is now asking local landowners, community members and businesses to help raise the remaining $25,000 to complete the project.
BCA Board Members Present Donation Check to Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District Board Members at July 23rd Meeting.
From Left to Right: Dave Mauk, General Manager, Neil Boultinghouse, Director Precinct 4, John Benedict, Director Precinct 1, Kathy Lewis, BCA Board Member, Don Sloan, Board President, Lynn Scotty, BCA Board Member, Rebeca Gibson, Director-at-Large, and Ernest DeWinne, Board Secretary/Treasurer.
These wells will provide accurate, real-time data on aquifer levels, helping the community better understand and protect vital groundwater resources.
Two years after first announcing the project, BCA has reached a key milestone: the Vanderpool Volunteer Fire Department has generously provided a site in Vanderpool for the wells. “The Monitoring Well Initiative reflects a strong community partnership,” said Vanderpool Volunteer Fire Department Board of Directors President Kenneth Halliday. “This is a win-win for our entire community, and we are pleased to be a partner in making this happen by providing a strategic location for the wells.”
“The data from the two wells will be taken from telemetry units that will upload that information and make it available for everyone to view online 24 hours a day, in real time,” said Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District General Manager David Mauk. “The data will be documented to show trends and monitor the overall health of both aquifers.”
Key partners supporting the Aquifer Monitoring Well Initiative include:
The Vanderpool Volunteer Fire Department is supporting this community-wide effort by generously providing the location for the monitoring wells.
The Bandera Canyonlands Alliance is coordinating fundraising to make these wells a reality.
The Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District (BCRAGD) will manage the project and own and maintain the wells.
BCRAGD will secure the data uplink for the wells so that the information is available to the public online on the United States Geological Survey (USGS) website 24 hours a day.
Plans are also in the works to use the location to support the expansion of the BCRAGD Flood Early Warning System, to monitor rainfall and river flow in the area.
“We are proud to support this important community project that will enhance our understanding of local aquifers and strengthen long-term water planning,” Halliday said. “Data from these monitoring wells is essential for protecting both our natural resources and the vitality of our community.”
BCA is calling on local landowners, residents, and supporters to contribute to the Aquifer Monitoring Well Initiative to complete the installation of the wells. All donations will be used exclusively for this initiative and are tax-deductible.
“Everyone in our community benefits from understanding what’s happening beneath our feet,” added Stanford. “These wells will provide critical information to help protect drinking water, sustain agriculture and other businesses, and guide responsible growth.”
More information on the initiative and how to donate is available on the BCA website:
https://banderacanyonlandsalliance.org/aquifer-monitoring-well-funding-initiative
For more information please contact: info@banderacanyonlandsalliance.org
About The Bandera Canyonlands Alliance The Bandera Canyonlands Alliance (BCA) is a nonprofit landowner organization dedicated to promoting stewardship of the natural resources, land, and water in Bandera, Uvalde and Real Counties. Through conservation, education, and community engagement, BCA works to preserve the region’s unique environment and way of life for future generations.
Media Contact: Bandera Canyonlands Alliance info@banderacanyonlandsalliance.org