Ogallala Aquifer Knowledge Assessment

Andy Connolly from the Kansas Geological Survey discusses the Ogallala Aquifer, a crucial water source in Western Kansas. The video covers the formation of aquifers, differences in water sources across Kansas, and the importance of the High Plains Aquifer. It highlights the challenges of water depletion due to over-pumping and the efforts to conserve water through technology and community cooperation.

What is the primary concern regarding the Ogallala Aquifer?

• It is too deep to access.

• It is too expensive to use.

• It is running out of water.

• It is contaminated with pollutants.

What is the process called when water from rain or rivers soaks beneath the surface?

• Percolation

• Sublimation

• Condensation

• Evaporation

Which side of Kansas relies more on groundwater?

• Eastern Kansas

• Northern Kansas

• Southern Kansas

• Western Kansas

What geological event contributed to the formation of the Ogallala Aquifer?

• Rising of the Rocky Mountains

• Earthquakes

• Volcanic eruptions

• Formation of the Grand Canyon

Since when have wells been pumping water from the Ogallala Aquifer?

• Since the 1920s

• Since the 2000s

• Since the 1950s

• Since the 1980s

What is the annual recharge rate of the Ogallala Aquifer from rainfall?

• More than fifteen inches

• Less than one inch

• About five inches

• Around ten inches

What is one of the main reasons for the decline in water levels in the Ogallala Aquifer?

• Excessive pumping

• Natural disasters

• Increased rainfall

• Government regulations

What technological advancement is helping to reduce water wastage?

• Electric cars

• Solar panels

• Wind turbines

• Cell phone apps

What is the role of the Kansas Geological Survey in managing the aquifer?

• Providing irrigation systems

• Drilling new wells

• Measuring water levels

• Building dams

What is the ultimate goal of the conservation efforts for the Ogallala Aquifer?

• To increase agricultural production

• To reduce the cost of water

• To ensure water sustainability for future generations

• To eliminate the use of groundwater