Platte River Aquifer System
Traveling through Nebraska, one of the most fascinating and crucial natural features is the Platte River Aquifer System, also known as the High Plains Aquifer or the Ogallala Aquifer in some areas. This massive underground water reservoir covers an enormous area of approximately 174,000 square miles, spanning parts of eight states, including Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Located in the Great Plains region of the United States, the Platte River Aquifer System is situated beneath the surface of the Nebraska Sandhills, the world's largest sand-dune formation, which covers over 23,000 square miles in central Nebraska. The aquifer system gets its name from the Platte River, a vital water source that flows through the state's heart and ultimately empties into the Missouri River. Within the Platte River Aquifer System, several distinct aquifer sections exist, including the High Plains Aquifer, the Arikaree Aquifer, and the Brule Formation.
The Platte River Aquifer System serves as the primary source of water supply for the Nebraskan regions, with water being utilized for irrigation in agricultural activities, public drinking water systems, and industries. A study by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) suggests that since pre-irrigation times in the 1950s, the groundwater level in the High Plains Aquifer has decreased by about 25%. However, this has not yet led to significant soil salinization due to the region's unique aquifer management, through institutions and local cooperation such as the Natural Resources Districts of Nebraska.
For environmentally conscious tourists visiting Nebraska, an illustrative example of sustainable water usage practices can be observed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's 'South Central Ag Lab' located in Clay Center, about 100 miles southwest of Lincoln and 265 miles west of Omaha. Here, 'Center pivot irrigation' – which drastically cuts water loss by avoiding the evaporation from open canals – serves as a vital water management method to optimize agricultural yield while conserving precious groundwater. Visitors may also want to see 'Jeffrey Island', also known as Duck Island, located in the Platte River itself near Alma, Nebraska. The island's unusual shape constantly shifts due to seasonal variances in river flow influenced by upstream aquifer abstraction.
Evaluating climate change and further long-term growth in demand for water use has raised the need for research into Platte River Aquifer management according to shifting social needs. To take active strides in ensuring its sustainability, researchers at institutions like UNL would want to address the dynamic balance of the Platte river flow, its river valley subsidence (shrinkage) over time and the ongoing issue of potentially harming local Nebraskan wildlife such as the iconic sandhill cranes and whooping cranes of Nebraska.
Tourists on a detailed itinerary traveling through key areas in east and central Nebraska, spanning South Dakota and Kansas would get the best geographical context when stopping by the aforementioned locations.
As concerns go from climate implications of aquifer drainage to environmental concerns based research in managing aquifers could have lasting positive influences in 8 states spanning the great American prairie.
Located in the Great Plains region of the United States, the Platte River Aquifer System is situated beneath the surface of the Nebraska Sandhills, the world's largest sand-dune formation, which covers over 23,000 square miles in central Nebraska. The aquifer system gets its name from the Platte River, a vital water source that flows through the state's heart and ultimately empties into the Missouri River. Within the Platte River Aquifer System, several distinct aquifer sections exist, including the High Plains Aquifer, the Arikaree Aquifer, and the Brule Formation.
The Platte River Aquifer System serves as the primary source of water supply for the Nebraskan regions, with water being utilized for irrigation in agricultural activities, public drinking water systems, and industries. A study by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) suggests that since pre-irrigation times in the 1950s, the groundwater level in the High Plains Aquifer has decreased by about 25%. However, this has not yet led to significant soil salinization due to the region's unique aquifer management, through institutions and local cooperation such as the Natural Resources Districts of Nebraska.
For environmentally conscious tourists visiting Nebraska, an illustrative example of sustainable water usage practices can be observed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's 'South Central Ag Lab' located in Clay Center, about 100 miles southwest of Lincoln and 265 miles west of Omaha. Here, 'Center pivot irrigation' – which drastically cuts water loss by avoiding the evaporation from open canals – serves as a vital water management method to optimize agricultural yield while conserving precious groundwater. Visitors may also want to see 'Jeffrey Island', also known as Duck Island, located in the Platte River itself near Alma, Nebraska. The island's unusual shape constantly shifts due to seasonal variances in river flow influenced by upstream aquifer abstraction.
Evaluating climate change and further long-term growth in demand for water use has raised the need for research into Platte River Aquifer management according to shifting social needs. To take active strides in ensuring its sustainability, researchers at institutions like UNL would want to address the dynamic balance of the Platte river flow, its river valley subsidence (shrinkage) over time and the ongoing issue of potentially harming local Nebraskan wildlife such as the iconic sandhill cranes and whooping cranes of Nebraska.
Tourists on a detailed itinerary traveling through key areas in east and central Nebraska, spanning South Dakota and Kansas would get the best geographical context when stopping by the aforementioned locations.
As concerns go from climate implications of aquifer drainage to environmental concerns based research in managing aquifers could have lasting positive influences in 8 states spanning the great American prairie.
