Ogallala Aquifer

Question 1

Where is the aquifer?

Answer 1

Lies within 8 states

Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico & Texas

Question 2

Why has it been developed?

Answer 2

For irrigation use

Question 3

What type of aquifer is it?

Answer 3

In playa lakes - Unconfined so the upper boundary is water table and permeable to atmosphere
Elsewhere - calcium carbonate layer covers so it is impermeable and water recharging is limited

Question 4

What is the climate in the area?

Answer 4

Semi arid

Steady winds so evaporation

Question 5

Why can recharging the aquifer be limited?

Answer 5

Destroys farming nearby

Very very slow

Question 6

What have the state & local agency done?

Answer 6

Improved irrigation efficiency
Lowered crop prices
Held agricultural program
Recovering water levels

Question 7

What is the water state like in Northern Texas?

Answer 7

Water table is drained

Question 8

What has happened to the water table?

Answer 8

Dropped more than 5 feet a year

Question 9

What are the inputs?

Answer 9

Paleowater (ancient

Rain shadow from Rock Mountains

Question 10

What big event happened in 2015?

Answer 10

Californian Drought

• no law over groundwater pumping
• if you didn’t use aquifer you didn’t get any rights
• no incentive to try and increase efficiency