Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts
GCD Boot Camp: Applied Pump Principles and Hydraulics
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TAGD is pleased to continue the GCD Boot Camp series with an essential mini-seminar: Applied Pump Principles and Hydraulics.
Join us before the business meeting on Tuesday, January 20 for a hands-on, practical training session led by David Smith (Texas A&M Agrilife Extension). This applied course will walk participants through the fundamentals of pump types, hydraulics, friction loss, total dynamic head, and other common concepts that are important for groundwater systems.
Participants will leave with new resources, fresh insights, and applicable knowledge. The course agenda can be viewed here. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your groundwater toolkit!
Who should attend?
Whether you're a general manager, field technician, outreach educator, consultant, student, or just getting started in groundwater -- this seminar is for you! No hydraulics background? No problem. Concepts will be presented in clear, bite-size presentations, ensuring everyone walks away with practical, actionable tools.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this Boot Camp, participants will be able to:
- Recognize and compare common pump types and their operating characteristics, including centrifugal, jet, and submersible pumps.
- Understand important hydraulic concepts such as suction lift, vacuum, friction loss, and feet of head vs. pressure.
- Perform friction loss calculations for pipes and fittings
- Calculate total dynamic head for common groundwater system scenarios.
- Identify the causes and implications of cavitation.
- Apply net positive suction head concepts to avoid pump performance issues.
- View the course agenda here.
Physical Location:
This training will take place at the same location of the Winter Business Meeting, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos. Click here to reserve a room in the TAGD block by Monday December 29 or until rooms are filled. Reservations made through this link will include a complimentary breakfast and drink (and sometimes light bites) at the hotel's evening reception.
Important Details:
The cost of this training is $75 per person. A warm buffet lunch will be provided to those that sign up by Friday, January 9. Lunch will include pasta, meat sauce, Alfredo sauce, caesar salad, and a vegetable medley. Registration will remain open up to the time of the event; however, lunch will be on your own after the deadline.
Because this is an applied, problem-solving class, it will be offered in-person only. A virtual option will not be available.
This registration form is for the GCD Boot Camp ONLY. The Winter 2026 Regular Business Meeting requires a separate registration and will take place after this training. Click here to learn more and register.
Any other questions after reading through these details? Contact Annick Maddox at annick@texasgroundwater.org for help registering or paying.
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