Groundwater Levels Fall By 1 to 5 Feet In Nebraska In One Year

[hatrack]

"Groundwater in heavily irrigated areas of Nebraska dropped as much as 5 feet within a year, according to new research from the University of Nebraska.

Measurements from nearly 5,000 groundwater wells showed that the water table dropped 1 to 5 feet across the state from 2002 to 2003. Continuing drought and a push for more irrigation wells to beat moratorium deadlines were considered factors in the declines.

At least some of the depletions shown were caused by drought-related spikes in well-drilling and pumping statewide, said Jim Goeke, a University of Nebraska hydrologist.

Groundwater declines were seen in areas that irrigate heavily, including the Platte, Loup, Republican, Blue and Elkhorn Rivers basins. Areas around the Sand Hills and parts of southeast Nebraska indicated little or no changes in groundwater levels."

EDIT

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u_pg=46&u_sid=1180053

[Journeyman]

1. When the Ogallala Aquifer goes dry. . .

then we will truly know troubles.

[midnight armadillo]

3. It's fossil water

It's not replenished from anywhere....

[hatrack]

6. Well, actually there is a replenishment mechanism in the Ogalalla

Namely very slow seepage from the surface. Unfortunately, it puts back an inch or two a year while we draw out three or four feet and . . . well, you get the picture.

[Gman]

2. The Edwards Aquifer that serves San Antonio's water

can drop 25 ft. in a dry summer. Fortunately it will recharge rather quickly when rain returns.

Ever heard the RW rail on about protections provided to a very small fish called the Snail Darter? It only lives in the springs from the Edwards Aquifer.

[NNadir]

4. It bears repeating the "new saw" (as opposed to "old saw) that water will

be the oil of the 21st century.

[redqueen]

5. Ever get the feeling nobody's listening?

Or is it more like an actively NOT listening thing?

i.e.fingers in ears... yelling, "LA LA LA... I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"

[Dogmudgeon]

8. The Sobering Implication

Vinegar will be the Oil of the 22nd century.

--bkl

[kestrel91316]

7. Nothin' wrong here folks, move along.........................

Nope, nothin' at all wrong with THIS picture. But LOOK OVER THERE..............terra-ists!!!!!!!! (runs screaming from the room full of children)

[NickB79]

9. It's news like this that makes me sceptical about biofuels

Not that I think we should give up on biofuels; far from it. I think that they could be a significant factor in achieving energy independence from foreign sources and fight Peak Oil. I just think that those that promote it as the cure-all to our ills have overblown it a bit. I wonder if any of the calculations showing we could grow enough biomass for ethanol and biodiesel production to replace petroleum take into account that much of our irrigation sources are going to be non-existant in the next 20 yrs, greatly reducing crop yields?