America Is Using Up Its Groundwater Like There’s No Tomorrow

[NotHardUp1]

We don't manage water well. There is a vast amount of surface water poorly managed. Some regions receive incessant rainfall, more than enough to supply humans, agriculture, and still keep rivers flowing.

And the regions that allow overbuilding and over pumping for industry or agriculture do not price water appropriately to conserve it.

Who the fuck allowed the Desert Southwest to grow cities of millions? A bit too late to panic now.

We deserve the water problems we have.

 

[Rickrock]

Thank you rareboy for all of the info about the Great Lakes. I found it interesting.

 

[Kulindahr]

California is out of drought!
And with El Niño coming on, no less!

California should build giant cisterns along with infrastructure so the cities can recycle their water, so when an El Niño comes they can fill up the cisterns.

 

[Kahaih]

California should build giant cisterns along with infrastructure so the cities can recycle their water, so when an El Niño comes they can fill up the cisterns.

Don't forget football season. That's sure to top them off.

 

[metta]

We actually have a lot of underground water storage (the water table). We have spreading grounds to help the water sink back into the water table near me. The water mostly comes from the forest. Some of it is also purchased from other areas.

California has been working on ways to increase storage capacity. It is often a long process. Here is one of the latest proposed projects: Sites Reservoir

Sites Project

cwc.ca.gov

 

[Kulindahr]

I read about a proposal somewhere in the midwest to make reservoirs for collecting floodwaters, on the idea that it would soak into the ground and help replenish the aquifer.

 

[metta]

Sweeping California water conservation rules could force big cuts in some areas​

state officials are moving forward with a new framework for urban water use that could require some suppliers to make cuts of 20% or more as soon as 2025.

MSN

 

[NotHardUp1]

 

[PrinceCory]

I recall seeing a TV documentary at least 10 years ago, saying the ogallala aquifer was being depleted too fast and crops were at risk.

As I recall, the ogallala aquifer (ground water) is under part of 3 large states (Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma) including the area I live. We have no rivers in my end of the state. All of our water comes from ground water. We have virtually no lakes anywhere to trap flood water. We don't have true floods. Floods to us is water running over the curb and occasionally across a rural road from field rain run off. We have not had any rain since 2nd week of August...and it is normal for us to go 3 months without any measurable rain (over 1/4 inch)...both summer and winter.

I've read that the crops in Kansas use 80% of the water pulled out of the ground water. We don't have large cites in my half of the state to blame on using up the water. Kansas is 211m/340k wide by 417m/645k long. We are the 15th largest state out of 50 states.