Irrigation aquifer depletion: the nexus linchpin

Richard M. Cruse (), Daniel L. Devlin, Doug Parker and Reagan M. Waskom
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Richard M. Cruse: Iowa State University
Daniel L. Devlin: Kansas State University
Reagan M. Waskom: Colorado State University

Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 2016, vol. 6, issue 1, No 14, 149-160

Abstract: Abstract Demand for agriculturally produced food and feed is virtually certain to rise as populations increase and economies of developing countries improve. Irrigation is currently supplying water for a disproportionately large amount of agriculturally sourced food and feed production needed to meet this growing demand. Irrigation supports 40 % of global food production, while it occupies only about 18 % of the agricultural landscape. Irrigation is groundwater sourced in critical food production regions of the world, and a variety of these aquifers are being drained; their rates of water recharge are well below extraction rates. Life expectancy of multiple irrigation aquifers, including selected aquifers in the USA, is decades or less if much improved water irrigation management practices are not implemented. Case examples from Kansas, Colorado, and California, home of arguably the most technologically advanced, economically stable, and well educated agricultural industry in the world, are used to address the question: “Are existing irrigation management approaches preferentially focused on sustaining existing economies or sustaining the longevity of the irrigation aquifers?” In general, irrigation aquifer water stress and need to conserve water is recognized by a vast majority of stakeholders. The need for stakeholders to maintain short-term financial integrity, which requires continued use of irrigation water, is creating stress in local water management policy development and delaying meaningful action. Pockets of forward thinking plans and even action are evolving, but these pockets must grow, and grow rapidly, to avert major negative social and financial consequences.

Keywords: Irrigation; Aquifer stress; Ogallala aquifer; Sustainable aquifer management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1007/s13412-016-0369-6

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