Ogalla Aquifer Research Papers

Underneath North America’s Great Plains lies the Ogallala Aquifer, one of the largest in the world. Since it is part of the High Plains Aquifer system it underlies 80% of the High Plains. The aquifer yields 30% of the water used for irrigation in America, and 82% of the drinking water to the High Plains. After WWII, central pivot irrigation became available and the High Plains aquifer system became one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the world. Rodger Funk, one of the first farmers to create wells from the aquifer, used the water without a care just like many others. He was soon devastated to find out years later him and others had drained the aquifer by 150 feet. The area he farmed in Kansas is now hard hit from the depleted …show more content…
When the keystone XL pipeline was proposed in 2008, many feared that a spill would contaminate the aquifer but Research hydrologist James Goeke confirmed that the sediment in the Vadose zone was impermeable enough to keep the contaminates away from the water table. The North Plains district first established limits on pumping in 2005 and increased the regulations years later. In an attempt to conserve the District has held an annual demonstration project to conserve water that farmers pump. Some examples are: growing corn with just over half of the water that they would normally use to, or they plant several weeks later than usual, Pivot sprinklers are used rather than the more expensive drip irrigation, leaving more space between plants which retains moisture for a longer. Yet another challenge facing the district is that higher prices for crops have prompted some to plant additional fields and further increase the use of water from the aquifer. So it’s clear to see many conversation tactics are causing other problems to arise. Funk, whom I mentioned earlier, is actually a leader in the fight for …show more content…
If the threats facing the Ogallala are further pushed off it will take sixty generations before it is recharged. Those for the side of increased Ogallala usage may claim that it is what needed to fully push the boundaries of what America’s breadbasket can achieve. However being sustainable dictates that one must make choices that protect the resources for future generations. If we continue sucking this aquifer dry the Midwest will turn brown and we could face Midwest water shortages never before seen. As of right now, the Ogallala is in peril and only through Funk and the other farmers continued collective efforts in using each drop as effectively as possible can we extend the aquifers life, however short we may have caused it to