United States Department of Agriculture
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Chihuahuan Desert RC&D Area

"Improving economic and social well-being while conserving and developing existing resources"

Counties Served
  • Brewster
  • Culberson
  • El Paso
 
  • Hudspeth
  • Jeff Davis
  • Presidio
 

For Information Contact

Chihuahuan Desert RC&D Area
Mark Donet, Coordinator
1805 State Highway 118, Suite 4
Alpine, TX 79830
Phone (432) 837-9923
Fax (432) 837-9120
Cell (432) 386-2357

 Map of Texas showing location of counties in Chihuahuan Desert RC&D

For more detailed information about this area, visit their Web Site.

Population

  • The population is 615,196, with a rural population of 23,856.
  • The area is located within the Trans-Pecos major land resource area.

Land Use

  • Total Area: 14 million acres in far West Texas bounded by the Rio Grande River on the south and west and the New Mexico state boundary on the north.
  • Rangeland: 89%
  • Urban settlements and cropland make up the remainder.
  • Beef cattle, dairy cattle, pecans, onions and various other crops are the major agricultural enterprise in the area.
  • The area also has several state and national parks that are of economic importance.

Dry Hydrant Project5,000 gallon polyethelyne water storage tank with dry hydrant attached at bottom left of tank.

The Chihuahuan Desert RC&D Council hosted an informative, educational dry hydrant workshop at a rural housing subdivision. Dry hydrants are non-pressurized devices that are used in rural areas to draft water from existing ponds, lakes, and streams. The workshop promoted the use of dry hydrants in rural settings for fire protection. 

These hydrants are being placed in strategic locations to assist with fire suppression for grass and structural fires.  Participants represented county officials, surrounding Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) personnel, and other interested rural homeowners.

Land use within the Area consists of nearly 16 million acres of rangeland with very few ponds and no streams with permanent water available. Having adequate water to fight structure and wild fires is critical in this remote area of Texas.

The Council plans to expand that endeavor and make them more available for use by all Volunteer Fire Departments (VFDs) in the Trans Pecos of West Texas. By installing this pilot project, the Council will encourage countywide support and spread to other rural housing

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