Hueco Bolson Fossil Aquifer — El Paso
The Hueco Bolson beneath El Paso contains fossil water recharged during the last Ice Age. It supplies about 40% of El Paso's drinking water. USGS studies show water ages of 10,000-25,000 years. At current extraction rates, the freshwater portion could be exhausted within decades.
Overview
The Hueco Bolson beneath El Paso contains fossil water recharged during the last Ice Age. It supplies about 40% of El Paso's drinking water. USGS studies show water ages of 10,000-25,000 years. At current extraction rates, the freshwater portion could be exhausted within decades.
Additional Notes
El Paso Water Utilities managed aquifer. Desalination plant supplements declining freshwater reserves.
Water Source Data
Water Intelligence Score Breakdown
Total: 76/100Risk Assessment
Source depletion probability
Rights & regulatory exposure
Contamination & ecosystem risk
Geological Intelligence
Formation & aquifer contextHigh porosity — shallow, rechargeable aquifer
Ancient water, no modern recharge — non-renewable on human timescales
Land Details
PrivateWater Rights
UnverifiedGroundwater Rights
Subsurface water extraction
Rules vary significantly by state — from absolute ownership (landowner controls all water below) to correlative rights (shared among overlying owners) to regulated permit systems.
- Doctrine varies by state jurisdiction
- May require state-issued permit
- Subject to aquifer-wide management plans
- Pumping rates often capped
Disclaimer: Water rights information is provided for research and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Rights status, seniority, transferability, and enforceability vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Always consult a licensed water rights attorney and verify status with the relevant state water resources agency before any acquisition or use decision.
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Location
Data Sources & Attribution
Updated Apr 5, 2026Data is sourced from public and authoritative providers. Hi3 Water aggregates, normalizes, and scores records but does not assert ownership of underlying source data. Always verify critical details with the primary source before any decision.