The Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) reports that water levels taken in January 2013 have dropped signifi-cantly in certain parts of the aquifer in Kansas since last year's measurement. Each January the KGS measures wells in western Kansas. This January levels had dropped about 3.5 feet. Declines in January 2012 had averaged 4.25 feet.
Drought in Kansas has pushed use of the aquifer for irrigation the past two years. In normal or average precipitation years, the Ogallala recharges only about one-half inch. In Kansas as in much of the High Plains, the Ogallala was tapped for irrigation starting in the 1960's with advances in irrigation technology.
The Ogallala Aquifer lies beneath most of Nebraska and parts of South Dakota and Wyoming in the north, and runs south through western Kansas, eastern Colorado and New Mexico and the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles. According to a study in Texas, the aquifer has fallen no more than a foot on average over 60 years in Nebraska. But in parts of Texas, it has dropped by about 100 feet over the same time. About one-third of the total depletion has happened in just 4 percent of the aquifer, mainly in Kansas and Texas.
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Cold case investigation leads to Holton warrant
Walnut Township recall coming; Friday mtg erupts in arrest
Effingham owner regains truck following theft, arrest
Former Kickapoo Tribal chairman arrested
Severe storms move through NE KS
Winchester native named as Amberwell CEO
Holton property search concludes with arrest
Rural Horton man charged in alleged beating
Sabetha woman arrested in business burglary
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
McLouth man injured in Monday wreck
KS prepares for severe weekend weather
Senator Slama on tax relief efforts
Former AG Schmidt running for KS' 2nd Congressional District
Meriden man bound over on rape charge
Commission approves agreement for budget help
Richardson County Deputies busy during special enforcement
Pawnee City School Board approves personnel changes
LATEST STORIES
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Pawnee County Rural Health Clinic participating in DHHS program
Local students participation in Peru State research expo
Meetings to help with Homestead Exemptions scheduled in Johnson County
Johnson County Hospital to host meeting on upcoming expansion
Beef Barn replacement planned in Jefferson Co
Sabetha woman arrested in business burglary
Meriden man bound over on rape charge