The Ogallala aquifer holds enough water to cover all fifty United States in 1.5 ft of water. Oklahoma. Decades ago, the state freely handed out water rights. Its water supports US$35 billion in crop production each year. Ogallala Water cooperated with USDA-NRCSs Ogallala Aquifer Initiative and USDA-ARSs collaborative Ogallala Aquifer Program with Texas A&M University, along with state water agencies, local water and irrigation districts, and farmers, Dobrowolski said. Life will go on, Leonard said. But in the shallowest and thinnest parts of the aquifer, like in Texas and Kansas, its level has already fallen 100 to 200 feet. Seeing that made me realize this can be done.. Help us protect the Ogallala Aquifer and contact one of our environmental professionals today for any of your groundwater remediation needs. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. EarthDate is a production of the Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas at Austin. And, while the "Algal limestone" is a marker bed, it does not establish correlation of the specific beds in which the caliche formed. Those who have been pumping the most would need to cut irrigation by up to 25%. Hopefully, as farmers, we just pay attention to what our environment is telling us, Simpson said. Various ash falls were locally deposited, supplying silica for the formation of agate and chert in the upper portion and opal in the lowest portion. The process of depleting an aquifer is known as mining, which may result in irreversible impaction of the reservoir as replacement of incompressible water with compressible air may cause crushing of pore space and permeability, limiting future recharge. Youll see circles. Between the late 19th century and 2005, the US Geological Survey estimates irrigation depleted the aquifer by 253 million acre-feet about 9 percent of its total volume. The team supported the development of new and expanded the use of innovative programs, including Master Irrigator and Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS). Clogged sprayer nozzles. East-bound streams coming down from the Rockies began depositing sand, gravel, silt, and clay into the valleys and streams. We do not get that recharge from runoff.. With that many voices in the discussion, it can be a challenge to get everyone on board. [2] Notably, it records the North American Land Mammal Ages (NALMAs) Hemphillian, Clarendonian, and Barstovian. In fact, since the introduction of large scale irrigation in the 1940s, water levels in the Ogallala Aquifer have declined over 100 feet in many parts, according to The Water Encyclopedia. Until the 1850s, when they began to use windmills to pump up groundwater from the aquifer. You should too. By 1870, steel fan blades replaced wood for more efficient irrigation water withdrawal. Geologist FN Darton of the US Geological Survey located the first outlines of the aquifer near Ogallala, Nebraska. Groundwater does flow through the High Plains Aquifer, but at an average rate of only 300 millimeters (12 inches) per day. It was a land of low hills, shallow valleys, and meandering streams. It is a major source of irrigation water throughout the region. Barron was checking water levels near the at the High Plains Underground Water Conservation office in January. And the district recently began sending its irrigators detailed reports about their water use and comparing it to their neighbors in an attempt to get farmers to change their mindsets. As the heat rises, anxious irrigators gather to discuss whether and how they should adopt more stringent conservation measures. It irrigates portions of eight states, from Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska in the north to Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas in the south. You should too. "The Ogallala Aquifer is a vast resource that is vitally important to Nebraska agriculture and to our state's ag economy, but it is not endless and needs to be used and cared for wisely and sustainably," said Chittaranjan Ray, director of the Nebraska Water Center. He used to be skeptical about irrigation cuts too. In fact, it's the aquifer that makes the current way of life on the Plains possible. But finding consensus on new rules to curb aquifer use is an uphill climb when using that water is the foundation that virtually everything else in western Kansas is built on. This article was originally published by The Conversation. If we continue irrigating at the pace at which we have done in the past, the Ogallala wont be able to sustain it.. [1] In Nebraska and South Dakota it is also classified as the Ogallala Group. So the past year of drought has left its mark. If this plan can double the aquifers lifespan, that could mean its still around for the grandchildren of the people who make those changes today. As more wells were drilled and center-pivot irrigation was introduced in the 1940s and 1950s, green circles of lush vegetation replaced prairie land on the High Plains. Aquifer type: unconfined; Area of aquifer: 36,293 square miles . We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Why Is Biodiversity Critical To Life On Earth? But, he said, the golden kernels filling his grain tank prove that farming with less irrigation can work in western Kansas, even in a historically dry season. But should instead farmers and ranchers drain the Ogallala Aquifer in pursuit of quick profits, the region may never recover. It feels great, Bauck said. His discovery nourished the ambitions of farmers and irrigation promoters. This happened as sand and gravel that had eroded from the Rocky Mountains were carried eastwards by large rivers, and these sediments ended up covering the Great Plains landscape. Pumping underground water, he told his audience, would build "little homes of pleasing architecture. For example, a recent study posits that as droughts bake the land, lack of moisture in the soil actually spikes temperatures. The Ogallala, it turns out, is whats called fossil water. That initial LEMA was deemed so successful that a similar plan to cover parts of 10 northwest Kansas counties went into effect five years ago although that expansion faced a lawsuit from dozens of irrigators who said it infringed on their water rights and was recently renewed for another five years. That was the point of the public hearing and the series of community meetings that came before. However, the Ogallala Aquifer is being depleted in many regions, threatening the livelihoods of many. The porous sediment layers in these ancient valleys form the Ogallala Aquifer. The Ogallala Formation is a Miocene to early Pliocene geologic formation in the central High Plains of the western United States and the location of the Ogallala Aquifer. Some areas of the aquifer, you have a lot of water because of the Rocky Mountains, or you dont have very much because youre up on the banks of the river instead of the middle of it, Barnes said. Ogallala Aquifer States. Some areas have returned to the dry arid land that it once was.Improved irrigation technology and increased energy costs have caused the rate of pumping to decline in recent years. The Ogallala aquifer is one of the world's largest fresh water resources. Learn more about MOD$$AT and how it is helping farmers make better irrigation decisions here. Today more than 200,000 wells produce water from the eight-state area, withdrawing water at 3 to 50 times the recharge rate for the aquifers semiarid recharge zone. These have increased water conservation and saved many farmers money, all while preserving the Ogallala Aquifer. But most of the time, were not ready for a big rain because were thinking about how to make one crop work really well.. Improved drilling technologies plus subsidization prompted the development of vast tracks of farmland, all dependent on water from the Aquifer. It cant just be done by a bunch of activists, Shay said, who come in and dont know what theyre talking about and strong arm it and do radical things.. A series of droughts in the 1930s changed it. It was a land of low hills, shallow valleys, and meandering streams. The Ogallala Aquifer is the largest aquifer in the United States and is a major aquifer of Texas underlying much of the High Plains region. Thats the case for Leonard, the farmer with the dry well whose land lies within the southwest Kansas groundwater district. How many states rely on the Ogallala Aquifer? - Questions LLC In a way, its coming full circle. Farmers and growing towns pumped water with abandon for a century, thinking it was being naturally recharged. Farmers are depleting the Ogallala Aquifer because the government pays What Happens When The Massive Ogallala Aquifer Becomes Depleted? Its water supports $35 billion in crop production each year. It occupies an area of 174,000 square miles, spreading across 8 American Great Plains States, according to the US Geological Survey. His discovery nourished the ambitions of farmers and irrigation promoters. To keep farmers on these fertile lands, the federal government began subsidizing irrigation projects. Still others, notably in west Texas, are converting back to non-irrigated dryland agriculture a recognition of the stark limitations of irrigation dependency. No matter what, Ill probably have to use water from it this summer because, without that, I dont think we could grow much in West Texas unless its a cactus or a mesquite tree.. Howling windstorms widely known as "black blizzards" blotted out the sun, blowing away exposed soil and displacing much of the human population. East-bound streams coming down from the Rockies began depositing sand, gravel, silt, and clay into the valleys and streams. Thats because water means money. Around the Texas Panhandle the soil is fine-grained, thereby hindering permeability according an MIT Mission 2012 Clean Water report. The LEMA plan would customize each farmers water limits on a case-by-case basis. However, drought conditions throughout the High Plains has increased pressure on the Aquifer to sustain current crop levels. 6369. It wasnt easy, Simpson said, but those changes turned their parched land into a vibrant mix of plants and vegetables. The amount drawn from the Aquifer was minimal up until the 1930s. Talon LPE - Blog The Current State of the Ogallala Aquifer Tweet From Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Kansas to Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and South Dakota, the Ogallala Aquifer provides water to an overwhelming portion of the United States. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Leonard remembers when the underground water supply seemed endless. And its agriculture relies more on irrigation than anywhere else in Kansas. Many irrigators remain wary of any program that might force them to use less water. Scientists are delving in to the soils overall health and even looking into options that would improve the conditions of the soil, thus bettering the conditions during a drought. You should too. The northern High Plains aquifer underlies parts of . A natural spring fed by the Ogallala Aquifer fills a stock tank that provides water for wildlife at the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in May 2021. So what happens if it becomes depleted? The aquifer is also directly responsible for facilitating $20 billion in annual food and fiber production. The Ogallala aquifer is one of the major aquifers in Oklahoma, underlying the Panhandle and parts of the northwest regions. Strict rules to save the aquifer dont make sense, he said, if they come at the expense of the economy. The lifecycle of grants and cooperative agreements consists of four phases: Pre-Award, Award, Post-Award, and Close Out. Its important that we not forget that what were trying to preserve here is not only the community as a whole, Rude said, but the business strategy, the overall viability of that community.. Since then, the water table has dropped 100200 ft in some areas making it clear that the aquifer is being depleted, especially where it is thinner in the South. Texas farmers worry one of the state's most precious water resources is running dry. The Current State of the Ogallala Aquifer - Talon/LPE Were having to overwater it, and the Ogallala is depleting to such an extent that the quality is becoming poor and making the soil more unhealthy. Synopsis: The Ogallala aquifer is the water source for most of the crops in the High Plains region of the United States. Many have adopted smarter irrigation technology, such as soil moisture sensors and systems that customize irrigation rates across a field. But even with more information about depletion and conservation than ever, he still believes his members arent ready for widespread irrigation cuts. The approach became known as the state's policy of planned depletion gradually emptying the aquifer to support farming. Formation of the OgallalaAquiferBefore the Aquifer formed, the land now known as the Great Plains looked nothing like it does now. As aquifer levels continue to plummet, let's hope more farmers see the wisdom of improving their practices. Improved irrigation technology and increased energy costs have caused the rate of pumping to decline in recent years. Most of his fields are now non-irrigated, or dryland, and the sections that see a center pivot get less water than they did decades ago. Harvest Public Media reports on food systems, agriculture and rural issues through a collaborative network of reporters and partner stations throughout the Midwest and Plains. The real question, he said, is what kind of economic future does western Kansas want to sustain? Geologist FN Darton of the US Geological Survey located the first outlines of the aquifer near Ogallala, Nebraska. This is a huge and significant step, Durham said, toward changing what this part of western Kansas could look like in 50 years.. These advances turned the Central Plains into the world's breadbasket and meat market, annually generating US$20 billion worth of foodstuffs. Where Has All The Water Gone? As water production continues to feed America and the world, policymakers and residents of the region ponder management of the depletion of a remarkable resource as well as an uncertain future. [4] Similar specimens from the same unit are found at Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument in Texas.[4]. Biologist Jude Smith looks over a nearly dry spring fed by the Ogallala Aquifer at the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in May 2021. Modern technology is a valuable resource in this situation, as irrigation scheduling tools are implemented. The aquifer occupies 11 percent of Texas state land. Some have switched to crops that require less water than corn, such as cotton. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, 7 Best Small Towns to Visit in Pennsylvania, Meet 12 Incredible Conservation Heroes Saving Our Wildlife From Extinction, India's Leopard God, Waghoba, Aids Wildlife Conservation In The Country, India's Bishnoi Community Has Fearlessly Protected Nature For Over 500 Years, Wildfires And Habitat Loss Are Killing Jaguars In The Amazon Rainforest, In India's Sundarbans: Where People Live Face-To-Face With Wild Tigers, Africa's "Thunderbird" Is At Risk Of Extinction. The OAI is also advising farmers to keep crop nutrients and livestock out of the waterways. The aquifer occupies 11 percent of Texas' state land. KOSU is nonprofit and independent. The Ogallala aquifer is the primary source of water for agricultural and municipal purposes in the Texas Panhandle. Farmers who hung on through World War II placed their hope in highly engineered solutions, such as high-powered pumps and center-pivot irrigation systems. And by the time he retires, Leonard expects his entire farm will return to its dryland roots. But from 2018-2021, the county only lost an average of 0.09 feet per year. It occupies an area of 174,000 square miles, spreading across 8 American Great Plains States, according to the US Geological Survey. At the end of the day, the Ogallala is propping us all up, said Eric Simpson, the farm manager at Atl Do Farms on the outskirts of Lubbock. The Ogallala-High Plains Aquifer is one of the world's largest groundwater sources, extending from South Dakota down through the Texas Panhandle across portions of eight states. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is committed to serving its stakeholders, Congress, and the public by using new technologies to advance greater openness. But, Durham said, its a start. Explore what happens when the Ogallala aquifer runs out of water. They planted sorghum-sudangrass, a substitute that looks like corn but doesnt need as much water and can survive the drought. And a new effort in west-central Kansas aims to save more of whats left. In the 1880s, farmers in the region asserted that there was a steady movement of water beneath their feet, which they called "underflow," from the Rockies east. Multistate Project Focused on Protecting One of Nation's Largest States monitor water withdrawal using meters and limit pumping where warranted, although laws, regulations and policies are inconsistent from state to state. This is do or die, Durham said. The soil just turns into a brick., ALSO READ: Critics set to push back against Comal County project that calls for 1,400 homes, wastewater plant. By Brett Walton Circle of Blue Fly over these dry plains and you wont see many rushing rivers or glimmering lakes. From bottom to top, the Ogallala was deposited as overlapping alluvial fans of sand and gravel, displaying bedding resulting from river flows and flooding. The region was hit with rainfall for weeks, particularly in the Panhandle, where the national weather service reported 10 to 20 inches of rain, which has caused flooding. However, drought conditions throughout the High Plains has increased pressure on the Aquifer to sustain current crop levels. These tools can be as simple as a free app on your phone that gathers weather data and checks the moisture in your soil to ensure you are irrigating appropriately. You would see the exact thing that we're trying to prevent.. Environmental Drilling, HISTORY OF THE OGALLALA AQUIFER AND ITS CURRENT STATE. However this isnt just a problem for those that live and work in the effected areas. The Ogallala Aquifer is the largest aquifer in the United States. Decades of pumping from the Ogallala aquifer continue to reduce the groundwater table faster than it can be recharged from precipitation. A Drying Shame: The Ogallala Aquifer | Student Research on Environment The aquifer provides water for about 30 percent of the nations irrigation systems, boosting the farms and ranches that supply a quarter of the nations agricultural production. Unfortunately, all the pumping from the Aquifer has had a negative impact. When he took over the farm 16 years ago, it had more than a dozen irrigation wells pumping. And once the Ogallala is emptied, it could take 6,000 years to recharge naturally. These states are Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. As the winds came, the soil became airborne, creating the infamous storms of the Dust Bowl.To keep farmers on these fertile lands, the federal government began subsidizing irrigation projects. Bot December 15, 2022 Water is everything out here. Starting in the late 19th century, settler-colonists plowed up native grasses that protected the soil. Before the Aquifer formed, the land now known as the Great Plains looked nothing like it does now. Those counties have been some of the hardest hit by aquifer declines, losing nearly two-thirds of their water since irrigation began. [3] It also includes an excellent record of grass seeds and other plant seeds, which can be used for biostratigraphic dating within the formation. It was good for business. Much of this material remained unconsolidated; however, significant modification occurred as the material deepened, particularly with the cementation of the sand and gravel with calcium carbonate and silica. [2] Scientists have found that climate change has pushed average temperatures higher in Texas, making heat waves and droughts worse. The Ogallala Aquifer, also known as the High Plains Aquifer, supports not only wheat, cows, corn and cotton, but it also brings water to residential and industrial sectors throughout the area. Two-thirds of Ogallala groundwater lies below Nebraska, with another 20% in Texas and Kansas. Additionally, two summits led by the team in 2018 and 2021 forged strong diverse stakeholder networks of individuals and groups working across the region that are learning from each others success in encouraging improved water management. LUBBOCK The Ogallala Aquifer is buried deep throughout the High Plains. Through an Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Water for Agriculture Challenge Area grant, USDAs National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) funded a multiyear Coordinated Agriculture Project (CAP) to address the challenges faced by the Ogallala aquifer. These worrisome prospects form the dramatic backdrop to "Ogallala: Water for a Dry Land," now out in its third edition. Katie Durham, who leads that groundwater management district, said its not too late to preserve the aquifer and the western Kansas farms, businesses and communities that depend on it for future generations. The Ogallala Aquifer serves farming communities in. Depletion of water levels is only increasing with two percent lost between 2001 and 2009.Because of over pumping the Aquifer, many areas of the High Plains have literally run out of water. Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment; Agriculture economics and rural communities, Multistate Project Focused on Protecting One of Nations Largest Aquifers, CRIS - Current Research Information System, REEIS - Research, Education and Economics Information System, Grants Support Technical Assistance Workshop, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights Resources, NIFA Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, Public and Land-grant Universities Memorial Lecture Series, Certified Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture, Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Water for Agriculture Challenge Area grant, Ogallala Water Coordinated Agriculture Project, 1890 Institution Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants Program, Agrivoltaics Could Bring Agriculture and Renewable Energy Together, Biden-Harris Administration Partners with Agricultural Producers to Promote Competition, Strengthen Food Supply Chain and Rural Economies, Science and Engineering for a Biobased Industry and Economy, Study Unravels the Impact of Rockweed Harvest at the Bed-Scale, National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Jim Dobrowolski, national program leader for NIFAs Division of Environmental Systems, said Ogallala Water was laser-focused on extending the aquifers utility for irrigated agriculture.
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