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Title: The future of the ogallala aquifer: We can measure it, but can we manage it?

Author
item SCHIPANSKI, MEAGAN - Colorado State University
item Gowda, Prasanna
item GUERRERO, BRIDGET - West Texas A & M University
item KREMEN, AMY - Colorado State University
item PORTER, DANA - Texas A&M Agrilife
item RICE, CHARLES - Kansas State University
item SANDERSON, MATT - Colorado State University
item WAGNER, KEVIN - Oklahoma State University
item WARREN, JASON - Oklahoma State University
item WASKOM, REAGAN - Colorado State University

Submitted to: Grazinglands Research Laboratory Miscellaneous Publication
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2017
Publication Date: 11/1/2017
Citation: Schipanski, M., Gowda, P., Guerrero, B., Kremen, A., Porter, D., Rice, C., Sanderson, M., Wagner, K., Warren, J., Waskom, R. 2017. The future of the ogallala aquifer: We can measure it, but can we manage it? [Abstract]. Colorado Water. p. 2-7.

Interpretive Summary: Ensuring the availability of fresh water resources in sufficient quantity and quality to support human populations and surrounding ecosystems represents one of the grand challenges of our time. The Ogallala Aquifer, one of the largest freshwater aquifers in the world, is a prime example of the challenges facing groundwater resources and management. This article briefly discusses the current groundwater management policies in different Ogallala States in the central United States and ongoing research under the USDA-NIFA funded Coordinated Agricultural Project ‘Ogallala Water CAP”. Further, it outlines the role of research and extension in reducing water use while improving producers’ net return on investment.

Technical Abstract: Ensuring the availability of fresh water resources in sufficient quantity and quality to support human populations and surrounding ecosystems represents one of the grand challenges of our time. The Ogallala Aquifer, one of the largest freshwater aquifers in the world, is a prime example of the challenges facing groundwater resources and management. This article briefly discusses the current groundwater management policies in different Ogallala States in the central United States and ongoing research under the USDA-NIFA funded Coordinated Agricultural Project ‘Ogallala Water CAP”. Further, it outlines the role of research and extension in reducing water use while improving producers’ net return on investment.