Aquifier Under Seige
Nexus of Agriculture, Urbanization, and Water Conflict in Kansas
Instructor: Laura Kurgan
Tools: ArcGIS Pro, QGis, GitHub, Python, R, Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
Techniques: Spatial analysis, Large-scale Data Wrangling, Scenario Mapping, Policy Alignment
Keywords: Groundwater Depletion, Irrigation and Agriculture, Aquifer Management, Hydrogeology
View a snapshot of the project here
The Ogallala Aquifer, an underground reservoir stretching across eight states, supplies drinking water to millions and irrigates a significant portion of U.S. grain production. In parts of Kansas, relentless extraction for agriculture has reduced water levels by over 60%, creating an unsustainable situation posed to last thousands of years before natural replenishment.
This study examines the spatial patterns of aquifer depletion in Kansas, identifies hotspots of rapid decline, and evaluates the intersection of geological features, agricultural demands, and policy responses.
Research Questions:
Where are water levels declining fastest across Kansas? Which regions and communities face the greatest extraction risk? What is the connection between crop patterns and changes in what is grown, and water wells and ground water depletion.
Methodology:
- Spatial Mapping, Geological and Agricultural Profiling: Analyzed the aquifer’s composition and its variable permeability across counties along with crop patterns, water wells and irrigated lands.
- Recharge Modelling: Reviewed studies on low natural recharge rates (< 1 inch/year), particularly in western Kansas.
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Policy & Management Review: Assessed Kansas Water Authority initiatives like LEMA (Local Enhanced Management Areas) and $35 M state investments under the 2023 Water Appropriation Act
The Ogallala Aquifer’s decline speaks to a larger truth: groundwater systems may give the appearance of an infinite resource, but they respond slowly, replenished over millennia. Protecting this lifeline demands forward-looking policy, technology, and community will. This work advocates for a just transition in water use, ensuring agricultural productivity while safeguarding rural communities and ecosystems.
Without enforcement, strategic investment, and sustainable practices, the region risks undermining its long-term viability, impacting not just agriculture but rural communities and ecosystems. This project advocates for a just transition, combining science, policy, and local stewardship.