The Case Study.
Underlying 117,000 square miles of the Western Great Plains, this water source holds roughly 3.5 billion acre-feet of pure drinking water. Stretching all the way from South Dakota to Texas, the Ogallala Aquifer gives life to the Great Plains. However, that could all change very soon.
For the past four decades, the Ogallala Aquifer has dropped 325 billion gallons. According to the High Plains Underground Water District's data, that is roughly 1 foot annual drop.
Since the late 1940's, the use of the Ogallala Aquifer has been vigorous, and now in present day, the aquifer is being drained faster than it can recharge. In certain areas, there is no more water to be obtained. This problem proves threatening for the entire structure of irrigated agriculture in the area. The real problem however, is if a realistic solution can be reached and acted upon before its too late.
For the past four decades, the Ogallala Aquifer has dropped 325 billion gallons. According to the High Plains Underground Water District's data, that is roughly 1 foot annual drop.
Since the late 1940's, the use of the Ogallala Aquifer has been vigorous, and now in present day, the aquifer is being drained faster than it can recharge. In certain areas, there is no more water to be obtained. This problem proves threatening for the entire structure of irrigated agriculture in the area. The real problem however, is if a realistic solution can be reached and acted upon before its too late.