EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The Ogallala-High Plains Aquifer is one of the world’s largest groundwater sources, extending from South Dakota down through the Texas Panhandle, across portions of eight states. Its water supports $35 billion in crop production each year.

Detailed explanation-2: -Most of the water in the aquifer comes from precipitation on the High Plains. With the increase of irrigated agriculture, water levels have dropped in places where the groundwater from the aquifer was pumped out faster than water from precipitation moved through the sediments and rocks to replace it.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Ogallala aquifer is heavily pumped for irrigation of various agricultural crops that support farming and livestock industries, which, in turn, sustain the many small-to medium-sized cities dotted throughout eastern New Mexico. Primary crops grown in the region are corn, sorghum, wheat/triticale, and alfalfa.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Ogallala Aquifer provides significantly more water for users than any other aquifer in the state. The availability of this water is critical to the economy of the region, as approximately 95 percent of groundwater pumped is used for irrigated agriculture.

Detailed explanation-5: -Overall, 5.5 million hectares (nearly 13.6 million acres) are irrigated in the Ogallala region. The leading state irrigating from the Ogallala is Nebraska (46%), followed by Texas (30%) and Kansas (14%).