Ogallala Aquifer Recovery Strategy - Help Save the Ogallala Aquifer

One doesn't have to search far on Google to find out the dire situation of the Ogallala aquifer for future generations. We are joining this good cause with the Ogallala Aquifer Recovery Strategy or OARS initiative. We are dedicated to the survival of this vital aquifer and ask you to join in the cause. +1 this site, like us on Facebook, pin us on Pintrest, tweet us on Twitter, share a photo on Instagram. We need this issue noticed and what better way than by the voice of the people through social media. You have the power to help the future generations affected by the depletion of this aquifer. We appreciate your support and do this not for money or fame or fortune :) but for our future generations.

The Ogallala aquifer or the High Plains Aquifer is the largest known aquifer in the world. It is so large it covers 174,000 miles across 8 states and holds over 978 trillion gallons of water. At its’ peak it has enough water to cover the entire united states with 15 feet of water. It lies in the United States high plains region were precipitation is low. This means it’s harder for the aquifer to replenish itself.

Ogallala Aquifer

This resource started being tapped into in 1910. The 8 states with direct access to it are among the driest states in America. In order to farm this resource has been used and has turned the mid region into one of the most thriving agricultural areas in America. This is especially true for the Texas high plains which is one of the driest areas and uses the Aquifer intensively.

Since 1910, as we have tapped more and more into the aquifer, 30% has been depleted and by 2060 with current trends we will have depleted 69% of the aquifer. If we keep this up by 2110 we will have depleted. Along with this depletion we are also polluting the aquifer with chemicals. When this aquifer is depleted or poisoned to the point where we can’t efficiently use it or drink it, what are we going to do? Or should we say what are our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren …. going to do then? The aquifer replenishes about 15% of what is being pumped. We would have to reduce pumping of the aquifer by 85% to maintain a balance.

The aquifer provides 30% or our nation’s irrigation. For places like the Texas high plains in the panhandle this aquifer is the main source of water. These desert like places are in desperate need of the water and can’t be sustained without it. The Table below shows the breakout of water usage in the Texas high plains.

Texas High Plains Direct Water Use by Sector
Irrigation	93.33%
MUNICIPAL	2.94%
LiveStock	1.48%
MANUFACTURING	0.99%
Steam Electric	0.84%
Fed Cattle	0.84%
Mining	0.50%
Other	0.35%
Dairy	0.19%
Swine	0.10 %

The table shows that the main water usage is Irrigation by a large margin of 93.33% followed by municipal at 2.94% and livestock at 1.48%. Without the Aquifer irrigation would not be possible at these levels. Farming and ranching would not be possible. The economy, with its focus on farming and ranching would collapse without this water supply.  We must find ways to help our farmers and to help our communities conserve water. We need to provide a future for our children.

The Ogallala aquifer is an endangered aquifer and cannot sustain itself without our action. What can we do? Some farmers water at night or early morning so the sun doesn’t evaporate almost 30% of the water. There is drip farming which is helps conserve water usage.  Different kinds of crops like corn use excessive amounts of water to grow while others like certain types of zucchini and beans need very little water. In fact some tomatoes actually grow better if you shut off their water supply part way during their growing season. We have ideas and techniques. We are a bright enough and capable enough nation to solve this unavoidable issue. In our cities what can we do to conserve water? Let’s think beyond today and provide for our future generations before it’s too late.

References

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/08/14/1220351110.full.pdf+html

http://texashelp.tamu.edu/004-natural/pdfs/2010-panhandle-water-use-dairy-other-commodities.pdf

http://geography.about.com/od/physicalgeography/a/aquifers.htm

http://www.oregonlive.com/argus/index.ssf/2011/04/consider_crops_that_take_less.html