LONG-TERM AGRO-ECOSYSTEM RESEARCH (LTAR) NETWORK TO ESTABLISH THE PLATTE RIVER – HIGH PLAINS AQUIFER LTAR

Authors

Brian J. Wienhold, Soil and Water Conservation Research Unit, USDA-ARSFollow
Tala Awada, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2013

Abstract

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), the USDA-ARS Agro-ecosystem Management Research Unit (AMRU) in Lincoln, and Environmental Management Research Unit (EMRU) in Clay Center propose to establish a Long-term Agro-ecosystem Research (LTAR) Network site with a focus on the northern portion of the High Plains Aquifer. Over 95 percent of the water withdrawn from the aquifer is for agricultural use, and – unlike the portion of the aquifer underlying southern Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas where significant drawdown has occurred – ground water levels have remained relatively stable since 1960. However, this stability might be in jeopardy with projected climate variability and change for the region. Establishing an LTAR to examine and make available data regarding the northern portion of the aquifer will fill a geographical and hydrologic gap not currently addressed through the LTAR Network while complementing the Ogallala Aquifer Initiative, established by USDA in 2003 to address unsustainable groundwater use in the southern portion of the aquifer.