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Since about 1950, the amount of water in the Aquifer has dropped by nine percent. 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. The Texas Panhandle has seen the largest drop in Aquifer levels. Aug 27, 2013 · Steward and his colleagues collected data on past and present groundwater levels in the Ogallala Aquifer, and developed statistical models to project various scenarios of water depletion over the ... Ogallala aquifer—and the region it enhances. Underlying 175,000 square miles across eight states, this aquifer drives agricultural productivity and identity. The Ogallala aquifer region hosts diverse landscapes and ecosystems that are sensitive to human impacts. The aquifer currently supports nearly 30% of U.S. irrigated crops and livestock.Aquifer water levels across western and central Kansas dropped by more than a foot on average this past year. That’s the biggest single-year decrease since 2015, according to the Kansas Geological …On the heels of Texas’ worst drought in a decade, a report from the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District shows water levels in the Ogallala Aquifer, also known as the High Plains ...Groundwater levels have appreciably declined over the Ogallala region of the aquifer since the onset of substantial irrigation development (1940s to 1950s in most areas). The water levels have dropped so much in some areas of the Ogallala region that less than 40% of the original saturated thickness is left (fig. 4).Farmers are making up for the lack of rainfall by pumping groundwater up from the Ogallala Aquifer, but this is a stopgap measure that won’t last. A report from the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District shows that water levels have been dropping every year.The High Plains aquifer, which includes the well-known Ogallala aquifer, is the most important water source for much of western and central Kansas (fig. 1), supplying 70% to 80% of the water used by Kansans each day. Water from the High Plains aquifer supports the region's cities, industry, and much of its agriculture. Annually, the average precipitation that recharges the aquifer is 21.59 millimeters on average (in terms of how much actually reaches the groundwater to recharge it), according to the US Geological Survey. With more and more of the water being used to irrigate farmlands, water levels in the Ogallala Aquifer have dropped in recent decades.Between 1950 and 2013, the water levels dropped over 250 feet in an Ogallala well near Lubbock, Texas. The aquifer has seen more moderate declines elsewhere, but it's causing problems for cities, well owners and irrigators alike. Oklahoma only permits its irrigators enough groundwater to cover each acre of their land with 2 feet of water per ...7 ene 2023 ... ... depletion but still allowing water levels to drop in the Ogallala Aquifer. The aquifer covers roughly 175,000 square miles in the western ...Groundwater levels have appreciably declined over the Ogallala region of the aquifer since the onset of substantial irrigation development (1940s to 1950s in most areas). The water levels have dropped so much in some areas of the Ogallala region that less than 40% of the original saturated thickness is left (fig. 4).Interactive Atlas. Use our interactive atlas to view water levels, saturated thickness, and more. This atlas has been created to serve as the primary gateway to the most recent graphical data available for the High Plains aquifer in Kansas. As newer/updated data become available, this atlas will be updated.On the heels of Texas’ worst drought in a decade, a report from the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District shows water levels in the Ogallala Aquifer, also known as the High Plains ...See the full map. Overview. Regional groundwater availability studies enable information about groundwater to be integrated and consistent, so that this resource can be analyzed and understood on an aquifer–wide scale. These studies provide decision–makers with a better understanding of the status and trends in the Nation's groundwater ...Changes in Water Levels in Texas, 1995 to 2005: 2011: 378: Irrigation Metering and Water Use Estimates: A Comparative Analysis, 1999-2007: ... Evaluation of Enhanced Recharge Potential to the Ogallala Aquifer: 2003. 353: Groundwater Availability of the Trinity Aquifer, Hill Country Area, Texas: Numerical Simulations through 2050:The Ogallala Aquifer irrigates almost 30 percent of US croplands. This over-pumping has caused groundwater levels in the Ogallala to drop over 8 feet, with some counties in Texas seeing a drop of more than 15 feet in groundwater levels. Demands for agricultural products and sparse groundwater replenishment (in the form of rain) have led to a ...Dec 31, 2016 · 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. The aquifer consists of sand, gravel, clay, and silt and has a maximum thickness of 800 feet. Freshwater saturated thickness averages 95 feet. Water to the north of the Canadian River is generally fresh ... Kansas began pumping water from the Ogallala Aquifer — a massive underground store of freshwater that spans much of the Great Plains — in the early 20th century. After World War II, pumping picked up, and irrigation led to an agriculture boom out west. But quickly, the state realized the water wouldn’t last forever.Water levels have dropped more than 100 feet since 1950 in parts of these states, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. ... the Ogallala Aquifer is the backbone of agriculture in the Great ...In most areas, new water isn't taking the place of what's pumped out of the Ogallala. Between 1950 and 2013, the water levels dropped over 250 feet in an Ogallala well near Lubbock, Texas. The aquifer has seen more moderate declines elsewhere, but it's causing problems for cities, well owners and irrigators alike.Jun 16, 2017 · In 2015, total recoverable water in storage in the aquifer was about 2.91 billion acre-feet, which is an overall decline of about 273.2 million acre-feet, or 9 percent, since predevelopment. Average area-weighted water-level change in the aquifer was a decline of 15.8 feet from predevelopment to 2015 and a decline of 0.6 feet from 2013 to 2015.

The Ogallala aquifer turned the region into America's breadbasket. Now it ... California's prolonged drought has driven water levels in much of the Central Valley ...January 20, 2022 4:25 PM. Listen A year after breach, Enbridge says it’s stopped Line 3 groundwater aquifer leak. The site of an aquifer breach near the Clearbrook terminal is shown in a drone ...In 2015, total recoverable water in storage in the aquifer was about 2.91 billion acre-feet, which is an overall decline of about 273.2 million acre-feet, or 9 percent, since predevelopment. Average area-weighted water-level change in the aquifer was a decline of 15.8 feet from predevelopment to 2015 and a decline of 0.6 feet from 2013 to 2015.In some parts of Wallace County, aquifer levels fell 7 feet in just the past year. That’s 7 feet closer to running dry. Statewide water levels fell by an average of nearly 2 feet this year ...

A recent study from Kansas State University says the aquifer under western Kansas increases land values by nearly $4 billion. But those billions are drying up at an accelerating rate. Aquifer ...Accumulation is the part of the water cycle in which water gathers in large quantities such as rivers, lakes, oceans, glaciers, ice caps and aquifers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. After water accumulates, it evaporates back into...…

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs. The Ogallala aquifer is one of the largest. Possible cause: 15 feb 2023 ... The Ogallala aquifer groundwater levels in much of weste.