Extra Credit
Ogallala Aquifer
The Ogallala Aquifer occupies the High Plains of the United States, extending northward from western Texas to South Dakota. The Ogallala is the leading geologic formation in what is known as the High Plains Aquifer System. The entire system underlies about 174,000 square miles throughout eight states.
The Ogallala aquifer is an unconfined aquifer, and nearly all recharge comes from rainwater and snowmelt in certain areas. As the High Plains has a warmer climate, recharge is minimal especially towards the southern part of the aquifer. “Recharge varies by amount of precipitation, soil type, and vegetation cover and averages less than 25 millimeters (1 inch) annually for the region