Ogallala Aquifer

Dave in GA · Feb 7, 2011

Does anyone on here use the Ogallala? Back in school (70s), we were made to be terrified that we were on the brink of another ice age, and that the Ogallala aquifer would be drained dry in about 30 years due to all of the irrigating. It's now 2011. How's the aquifer doing? Has anybody dried up?

CWL · Feb 7, 2011

There are still people that are worried about the water level.

Howard H. · Feb 7, 2011

Yep - its getting thinner every year in the OK panhandle...

Everytime grain prices spike - a lot of guys drill more water wells and/or break some more pasture land out which adds more pressure...

The university where I work has had to add two new wells this past year to the original one well for water on campus since its production is dropping off.

When I was still farming, it was a yearly ritual every spring to nozzle the sprinklers down some so the sprinkler would have enough pressure fill out all the way the next year.

Its definitely getting weaker....

Howard

workhorse · Feb 7, 2011

There is around 3,270 billion acre ft. of water contained in the Ogallala Aquifer.Irrigation has drawn the water level in some areas, but water conservation and better irrigation practices have stabilized the drawdown and in some areas it has recovered.
1 Acre ft.=325,851 gal x 3,270,000,000

Allan in NE · Feb 7, 2011

Leonard,

You'll let me know when we can sink a well out there on my little desert? :>)

Allan

greenbeanman in Kansas · Feb 7, 2011

You spoke of recovery in some areas. A report in todays newspaper is timely.

Seems pretty much depending upon the area as to the level. Some gains to 3 feet, others dropping.
Link below.

As a side note, Amy Bickel is a great farm reporter and I consider her quite farm friendly and an asset to farmers. If you think you have a Kansas story give her a call as she appreciates leads.
The Hutchinson News story about aquifer.

Nebraska Cowman · Feb 7, 2011

Well levels have dropped. There are mandates on water use and meters on wells. There is a moratorium on new wells in this district (Middle nnalert)
Middle Repuplican

workhorse · Feb 7, 2011

get a warm spell, we'll head that direction.

Ralph wd45 · Feb 7, 2011

It wont matter anyway! By Dec. 2012 every thing is supposed to go to he11 in a handbasket, if the Mayans are right! They must know, after all, they aren't around anymore!

Bill(Wis) · Feb 8, 2011

You're citing a common misconception of the interpretation of Mayan Calendars.

Doug in Illinois · Feb 8, 2011

Original livestock / house well back at the farm near Belvidere, NE dried up in 1973 or so. It was only 75 feet deep.

New well was drilled to 125 feet. We ran out of water once since then. It was then pushed to 160 feet.

The well driller has checked it a few times since, says we are now stable at around 135 feet to water.

The loss is slowing, now only inches per year instead of feet per year. DOUG

Ogallala Aquifer

Dave in GA

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CWL

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Howard H.

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workhorse

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Allan in NE

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greenbeanman in Kansas

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Nebraska Cowman

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workhorse

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Ralph wd45

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Bill(Wis)

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Doug in Illinois

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