The Ogallala Aquifer In the Lubbock Area Is Dropping at the Third Fastest Rate in 60 Years
“Exceptional drought and record-setting high temperatures,” which called for increased irrigation in both agriculture and urban water use were blamed for the rapid decline of the water level of the west Texas Ogallala Aquifer.
Lubbock and the South Plains witnessed the third largest decline of groundwater levels since the start of record-keeping 61 years ago. The numbers for 2011 were released in July 2012 by the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District.
There were reports of homeowners being required to drill deeper wells as the groundwater level declines. Farmers are being limited to irrigation quotas of an equivalent of 15 inches of water, which, they say, is not nearly enough.
