Latest revision as of 12:15, 2 March 2013

The Ogallala aquifer is located in the High Plains region of the United States. It underlies 174,000 square miles, and portions of eight states: South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas. The region’s semi-arid environment includes the former Dustbowl region of the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles, but the region has since developed a booming agricultural economy due to the prevalent use of groundwater irrigation. Since the advent of irrigation in this region, the water table of the Ogallala is slowly being drawn down in certain areas due to groundwater mining. The general trend of the aquifer is one of depletion, although some areas, such as Nebraska, have seen gains in recent years due to soil conditions allowing more recharge ^[2]. Though the aquifer can be viewed as a common pool resource, due to the transboundary nature of the aquifer, many different groundwater policies are in play over its extent ^{[3] [4]}. Agriculture in the region also has strong ties to other industries, such as energy and livestock, which further complicates regulation of groundwater use for irrigation ^[5].

History

Much of the Ogallala is rural farmland, and the highest water use is for irrigation, which makes up 95% of all pumpage. Irrigation was sporadic in development until the 1930s, when there began to be changes in technology for well drilling and pumping plants. Low costs of energy and favorable crop prices also contributed to the change. In the 1950’s a drought accelerated the adoption of irrigation. Gas fields in the region were also discovered, and contributed to cheap energy that enabled farmers to pump more water. By 1980, center pivot irrigation became the norm as a more efficient alternative to canal irrigation. 14 million acres were irrigated ^[6]. As of 2002, 12% of the aquifer's area was irrigated farmland , mostly utilizing center pivot irrigation, though other types of irrigation are still employed.

Physical Characteristics

Climate

The Ogallala is situated in a semi-arid environment. Specific climate characteristics vary over the region. Average annual temperature varies over the aquifer rangers from 37-64 F. The mean precipitation is approximately 20 inches/year. The area’s precipitation is not consistent from year to year, and there have been several periods of drought since settlement and development ^[7], the most recent in 2012.

Geology and hydrology

The geology of the Ogallala varies across the region. South Dakota and Wyoming are characterized mainly by Airikaree and Brule formations, which are poorly permeable, while Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas are characterized mainly by the Ogallala formation, which is highly variable over short distances. Nebraska is unique in that its relevant geology is dominated by the sand hills. This makes recharge in that area much greater than in other parts of the aquifer ^[8][9] Recharge to the aquifer is form precipitation and recharge from streams. Little recharge occurs in most areas, except in areas with very sandy soils, such as in parts of Nebraska. The recharge varies from 0.024 in/yr (0.01% of the precipitation) in parts of Texas to 6 in/yr (20% of the precipitiation) in parts of Kansas. For the majority of the aquifer, hydraulic conductivity varies from 25-100 ft/day, although the max is 300 ft/day, and the average is 60 ft/day. The specific yield for most of the aquifer ranges from 10-20%, though the full range is from 3-35%, and the average is approximately 15%. Approximately 65% of the aquifer’s storage is in Nebraska, 12% is in Texas, 10% is in Kansas, 4% is in Colarado, 3.5% is in Oklahoma, 2% is in South Dakota, 2% is in Wyoming and 1.5% is in New Mexico. ^[10]

Political

There are eight states that lie over the Ogallala aquifer, each with different water policies pertaining to agriculture. The following is a summary of these different policies: ^[11]

Colorado

Groundwater is viewed as a public resource. Individuals and other entities can obtain rights that can be bought and sold independently of the property. The Ogallala groundwater is considered a “designated groundwater” source, meaning water which would not otherwise be available for surface water rights, and not adjacent to a stream. The permitting governmental body is a water commission for large wells, and the State Engineer for small wells.

Kansas

Groundwater is considered a public resource. As of 1978, anyone wishing to acquire water rights needs a permit if use is not for domestic purposes. The Chief Engineer is responsible for permitting and administration of groundwater rights. Groundwater Management Districts can develop local regulations as long as they are approved by the Chief Engineer. Permits are connected to the land, and are allowed for “beneficial purposes”. The management of the groundwater in the state is one of allowable depletion, meaning groundwater mining is permitted within certain limits so as to provide for a longer term use of the resource. Some areas of the state are closed to new permits, as groundwater usage exceeds the allowable limit of the area.

Nebraska

Groundwater is a public resource, and use is designated to “reasonable use” as well as “correlative use”, which means that available water must be shared if the supply of groundwater does not meet the area’s needs. Domestic use has preferential rights, and permits are tied to the land. Wells drilled after 1993 must be registered with the government. Governance is by 23 Natural Resource Districts established in the 1970’s, which establish groundwater management areas.

New Mexico

Groundwater is a public resource, and right is based on prior appropriation. Permits are only required in “groundwater basins”, and the State Engineer is the permitting office. Wells are usually approved for domestic use and livestock. Wells are monitored to see if unappropriated water exists for future allotment.

Oklahoma

Groundwater in Oklahoma is owned by the landowners over the aquifer. Rights are by appropriation, and water rights transfer upon the sale of the property. All use needs to be permitted, and volume extracted is based on the amount of acres needed to be irrigated and the maximum annual yield of the aquifer in that location, which is the maximum amount of water that can be withdrawn that will still ensure the aquifer can supply water for 20 years. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board is in charge of permitting. A permitee can transfer any amount of their permit to another entity, but must obtain approval from the Board to change the terms of their permit. South Dakota: Groundwater is a public resource. Rights are by appropriation, and water rights are transferred upon the sale of property. All use must be permitted, and any individual can obtain a permit, even if they are out of state. The Water Management Board (a citizen board) and the South Dakota Department of Environmental and Natural Resources work to regulate water use and permit users. Much of the Ogallala aquifer in South Dakota underlies Tribal land, and the Tribes residing there have jurisdiction of the groundwater under Reservation land. Texas: Groundwater is not a public resource in Texas. Water is permitted only after withdrawal. Landowners can withdraw water and sell off to users at different locations, even out of state. No malicious use is allowed. There are groundwater conservation districts, but no transfer agreements made before 1997 can be limited. No permit is needed for wells supplying less than 25K gpd or if the well is being used for mineral production, in which case permits go through the Railroad Commission.

Wyoming

Groundwater is property of the state and rights are by prior appropriation. Municipalities can have eminent domain if necessary. Livestock and domestic use takes precedent. The State Engineer and is the permitting office, and all beneficial use is generally permitted. Instream flow permits were implemented in 1947. In 1957 permits were required for drilling wells, excluding livestock and domestic use. In 1969, permits are required for all wells.

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External Links

• USADA Agricultural Research Service Ogallala Aquifer Program Website — Official website for the OAP. Reports, maps, and news related to the OAP.

1. ^ Edwin D. Gutentag, Frederick J. Heimes, Noel C. Krothe, Richard R. Luckey and John B. Weeks. Geohydrology of the High Plains aquifer in parts of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. (Geological Survey Professional Paper ; 1400-B). USGS 1984. Available online: http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/pp1400B
2. ^ McGuire, Virginia L., et al. 2012. Saturated Thickness and Water in Storage in the High Plains Aquifer, 2009, and Water-Level Changes and Changes in Water in Storage in the High Plains Aquifer, 1980 to 1995, 1995 to 2000, 2000 to 2005, and 2005 to 2009. Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5177, USGS. Available online:pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2012/5177/sir12-5177.pdf
3. ^ Wagner, Matthew W. & Urs P. Kreuter. 2004 Groundwater Supply in Texas: Private Land Considerations in a Rule-of-Capture State, Society & Natural Resources: An International Journal, 17:4, 349-357
4. ^ McGuire, V.L., M.R Johnson, R.L Schieffer, JS Stanton, SK sebree, IM Verstraeten. 2003. Water in Storage And Approacheds to Groundwater Mangement, High Plains Aquifer, 2000. USGS circular 1243.
5. ^ Opie, John. Ogallala: Water for a Dry Land. Second Ed. 2000. University of Nebraska press
6. ^ Weeks, John B., Edwin Gutentag; Frederick J. Heimes and Richard R. Luckly. Summary of the High Plains Regional Aquifer-System Analysis in parts of Colarado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma South Dakota Texas, and Wyoming. USGS survey professional paper 1400-A. 1988.
7. ^ Stanton, Jennifer S., Sharon L. Qi, Derek W. Ryter, Sarah E. Falk, Natalie A. Houston, Steven M. Peterson, Stephen M. Westenbroek, and Scott C. Christenson. 2011. Selected Approaches to Estimate Water-Budget Components of the High Plains, 1940 through 1949 and 2000 through 2009. USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2011-5183, 79 p.
8. ^ Stanton, Jennifer S., Sharon L. Qi, Derek W. Ryter, Sarah E. Falk, Natalie A. Houston, Steven M. Peterson, Stephen M. Westenbroek, and Scott C. Christenson. 2011. Selected Approaches to Estimate Water-Budget Components of the High Plains, 1940 through 1949 and 2000 through 2009. USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2011-5183, 79 p.
9. ^ Weeks, John B., Edwin Gutentag; Frederick J. Heimes and Richard R. Luckly. Summary of the High Plains Regional Aquifer-System Analysis in parts of Colarado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma South Dakota Texas, and Wyoming. 1988. USGS survey professional paper 1400-A.
10. ^ Weeks, John B., Edwin Gutentag; Frederick J. Heimes and Richard R. Luckly. Summary of the High Plains Regional Aquifer-System Analysis in parts of Colarado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma South Dakota Texas, and Wyoming. 1988. USGS survey professional paper 1400-A.
11. ^ McGuire, VL; MR Johnson; RL Schieffer; JS Stanton; SK Sebree and IM Verstraeten. 2003. Water in Storage and Approaches to Groundwater Management, High Plains Aquifer, 2000. USGS circular 1243.