If current irrigation trends continue, 69 percent of the
groundwater stored in the High Plains Aquifer of Kansas will be depleted in 50
years. But immediately reducing water use could extend the aquifer's lifetime
and increase net agricultural production through the year 2110.
Those findings are part of a recently published study by
David Steward, professor of civil engineering, and colleagues at Kansas State
University. The study investigates the future availability of groundwater in
the High Plains Aquifer -- also called the Ogallala Aquifer -- and how reducing
use would affect cattle and crops. The aquifer supplies 30 percent of the
nation's irrigated groundwater and serves as the most agriculturally important
irrigation in Kansas.