Localized groundwater depletion threatens long-term irrigation across major American farming regions
In short: Researchers analyzing water usage in the United States found that 60% of irrigation depends on groundwater, with two specific regions accounting for half of the nation's total aquifer depletion since 1900. In the High Plains, they observed that about one-third of all depletion is concentrated within just 4% of the land area, primarily targeting fossil water that was recharged over the last 13,000 years.
The study used new recharge maps and hydrologic models to compare these regions. While southern High Plains irrigation may become unsustainable within 30 years despite reduced withdrawals, the Central Valley shows a different pattern where depletion is mostly tied to droughts. A limitation of this research is that it focuses on specific regional models rather than providing a universal solution for all US aquifers.
Why it matters: Understanding where and why groundwater is disappearing helps determine which farming regions face the most immediate risk from water scarcity.
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