By Scout Nelson
In Nebraska, groundwater levels have seen a consistent decline, because of dry years and high irrigation demands, highlights a recent report from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Conservation and Survey Division.
The report tracks groundwater changes from spring 2022 to spring 2023, examining 4,822 wells across the state, with 85% showing lower water levels.
The state’s groundwater, crucial for agriculture, is mainly affected by how much water is drawn for irrigation and how much precipitation it receives for natural recharge.
The recent years have been hotter and drier, reducing the water available to replenish the aquifers and increasing the need for more water to sustain crops. As a result, some areas have experienced declines over 20 feet in groundwater levels.
From 2020, Nebraska has witnessed an average water level drop of 3.15 feet in wells, with certain parts expected to continue this trend into 2024. Despite these challenges, Nebraska remains better off than many states, thanks to its substantial groundwater reserves and a robust system of water management governed by 23 natural resources districts.
The long-term impacts vary across the state, with significant declines in areas like Chase, Perkins, Dundy, and Box Butte counties due to dense irrigation activities, lower rainfall, and minimal surface-water recharge. These factors combined have led to the dramatic decreases in groundwater levels observed.
The study, contributed by Aaron Young, Mark Burbach, Susan Lackey, R. M. Joeckel, Jeffrey Westrop, and Nawaraj Shrestha, emphasizes the importance of ongoing monitoring and adaptive water management strategies to address these challenges and sustain Nebraska's agricultural productivity in the face of environmental changes.
Photo Credit -gettyimages-zhuda
Categories: Nebraska, Weather