FROM THE GREAT AMERICAN DESERT TO THE BREADBASKET OF AMERICA AND BACK?: ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER PRACTICES IN SOUTHWEST KANSAS

Southwest Kansas has observed some of the greatest declines in groundwater levels of any region in the Ogallala Aquifer. This study examines how climate information, including historical rainfall patterns, real-time drought assessment, and seasonal prediction may be useful to inform aquifer management decision-making. Initial research hints that climate information may prove valuable, especially during drought years. As most extracted groundwater in the region is used for irrigation, water-use policies must also be addressed to ensure future sustainability. By modifying crop selection and irrigation methods to take into account climate information, providing incentives to increase efficiency of water use, or simply reverting to dryland farming, further declines in groundwater levels may be slowed or avoided altogether. A brief discussion of the feasibility of these policy measures, their likelihood for adoption and impact on the economies of the region is also included.