GEOL 100 Chapter Notes - Chapter 17,10: Ogallala Aquifer, Aquifer, Hydrogeology
Document Summary
17. 10 what is going on with the ogallala aquifer. Aquifer forms irregularly shaped north-south belt from south dakota and wyoming through nebraska, colorado, kansas, the panhandles of oklahoma and texas, and eastern new mexico. Consists of sediment deposited by streams and wind. In 1980, near the height of the aquifer"s use, 17. 6 million acre-feet of water were withdrawn to irrigate 13 million acres of land. Water is used mostly for agriculture and rangeland. Main agricultural products include corn, wheat, soybeans, and feed for livestock. A cross section shows thickness of aquifer from west to east. Base of aquifer is irregular, showing an unconformity that reflects erosion of the land before deposition of the aquifer. Largest drops (>10 m) occured in southwestern kansas and northern texas. Future predictions by hydrogeologists are that parts of the aquifer will go dry by the year 2050. Catastrophic consequences for local farmers, ranchers, businesses, and people who depend on it for food.
