Kansas farmers brace for water cuts to save Ogallala Aquifer
Kansas farmers in Southwest Kansas face water cuts to save the Ogallala Aquifer due to overpumping. Critics urge more conservation efforts and question district spending priorities for sustainable water management.
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Kansas farmers in the Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District are facing impending water cuts to save the Ogallala Aquifer, a vital water source for agriculture. After years of overpumping, the state is now demanding conservation measures to protect the aquifer. Farmers are apprehensive about the changes, with some expressing concerns at public meetings. The district has been criticized for its lack of formal conservation programs and high travel expenses. Farmers in the region are being urged to cut back on water usage to prevent further depletion of the aquifer. The district is considering declaring its entire territory a priority area for conservation efforts. Despite some progress in reducing water usage, critics argue that more decisive action is needed to address the aquifer's decline. The district's spending priorities have also come under scrutiny, with questions raised about the allocation of funds for conservation versus administrative costs. Lawmakers and farmers are calling for more proactive measures to safeguard the aquifer and ensure sustainable water management practices for the future.
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2 commentsThe Saudis have drained the massive Arabian aquifer (leading to their investment in unmetred water farms in Arizona), the North China Plain groundwater levels are falling by a meter or more annually and starting to bottom out, various portions of the Ogallala aquifer are turning to dust (other portions have maybe 50|60 years left if tapping doesn't increase).
Grain production will be sustained by the Ukraine breadbasket (if war pauses to allow tractors access) and then by the Siberian plains once the permafrost melts away.
Climate aware Risk players red teaming food and water issues are in demand, things are less certain for farmers on the ground.
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