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Kansas Water Authority historically changes policy of draining aquifer

A Midwestern state could change how it asks farmers to irrigate crops to avoid depleting one of the world’s largest underground aquifers.

Earl Lewis, chief engineer with the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Water Resources, says the proposed change would require Kansas farmers to cut water use from the Ogalla Aquifer. “The data shows us that in order to stabilize the aquifer or halt the decline, some areas we may need a 15 percent cut and in other areas we might need a 50 percent cut.”

The Kansas Water Authority voted recently to place language in the body’s annual report to the governor and legislature saying the “policy of planned depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer is no longer in the best interest of the state of Kansas.” Some studies indicate that parts of western Kansas have an estimated 10 years of water left.

Lewis tells Brownfield the cuts could allow some farmers to be sustainable. “Maybe changing their irrigation systems or their cropping patterns and not seeing a loss in profitability. You get into some of the higher reductions, and you would see some changes in cropping and changes in the amount of money producers can make.”

Lewis says data suggests the state can get to a stable water level without eliminating irrigation and that helps most stakeholders. “Let’s say you need to reduce by 25 percent for example.  It’s better if everybody takes a 25 percent cut then we go out and cut 25 percent of the acres.  That’s better for the farmers and better for the local economy.”

The report also recommends the state create a formal process to establish goals and actions to promote flexible and innovative management within a timeframe that achieves agricultural productivity, thriving and vibrant economies.

KWA’s decision is the first formal recommendation by an official state body in Kansas.