Water Woes

In terms of demand and supply, the demand for water from the Ogallala aquifer in western Kansas exceeds the supply according to the 2009 Annual Report to the Governor and Legislature published by the Kansas Water Authority.

The Ogallala-High Plains aquifer is being

pumped hard and, for most areas, at rates that can

not be maintained into the future. In most locations,

the Ogallala–High Plains aquifer is in decline, with

annual withdrawals far exceeding the average annual

recharge. p. 15

I have talked to locals who share this same concern, but it seems we just talk about the unchecked useage of water from the aquifer without taking action to curb it. Haskell County has seen a decrease between 10 to over 30 feet in the depth of the the water table in a ten year period from 1996 to 2006. My concern is that a depleted source of water means a major loss of population from this part of the state and the accompanying economic slump. People who work in the cattle industry, a large proportion of the population here, will be forced to move away because the grain production that makes agribusiness flourish will be diminished. Little water means little grain means an economic crash and major movement of workers away.