Recent research by the Kansas Geological Survey indicates farmers and ranchers could prolong the life of the High Plains Aquifer simply by reducing irrigation by 20%. Rex Buchanan is a former Director of the survey and one of those who helps measure water wells in the aquifer each January. He says with a relatively small cutback, you can extend the life of the aquifer so your kids and grandkids might still be able to irrigate; however, he warns that if you pump it all now, that option goes away.
Buchanan doesn’t expect to find significant water declines in the aquifer this year compared to last January, but he says the long-term trends are not good, especially in the southwestern part of the state. This week marks a new year of measuring water wells in the High Plains Aquifer, which includes the Ogallala.
