Water Scarcity in the South Plains of North Texas: An Analysis of the Ogallala Aquifer

• In Event: 254 - Section on Environment and Technology Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 03. Water

Abstract

This paper examines water usage and water politics concerning the Ogallala Aquifer in the South Plains of North Texas. Due to the semi-arid climate, minimal rainfall, and periodic droughts, the South Plains region has become very dependent on the Ogallala Aquifer. Significantly, the South Plains area of Texas exhibits an open access regime for water usage where user groups are allowed to pump what they want. While this has made possible the rapid expansion of an agricultural economy, open access to water from the Ogallala is creating a situation of water scarcity, which raises questions about exactly who is using more water and the relative contributions of rural consumption surrounding water scarcity and the social impacts it imposes. This paper therefore pursues a statistical modeling for a quantitative analysis of water usage. The findings reveal variation in declines in water levels in wells in the South Plains, as well as differences in water scarcity between rural areas. Only time will tell if the Ogallala Aquifer can be preserved in order to ensure the survival of the South Plains of North Texas.

Author

• Robert Lee Cavazos, Tarleton State University