Water Stress in Western Kansas Discussed at WRRC Webinar
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Jim Butler, a senior scientist with the Geohydrology Section of the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS), a research and service unit of the University of Kansas, was the featured speaker for a WRRC Water Webinar, Charting Paths Forward for the High Plains Aquifer in Kansas, in which he discussed the water-level declines that the region has faced. Agricultural water demand has led to intensive pumping and alarmingly low, unsustainable water levels. Many areas in western Kansas have seen a 60% decrease in aquifer water volume from before the development of agricultural pumping systems. Butler discussed how western Kansas is addressing these dropping water levels through pumping reductions, groundwater conservation areas, and modifications to agricultural practices. One of the measures put in place has been the application of Local Enhanced Management Areas, which has resulted in a 31% reduction in pumping. Fortunately, general acceptance and understanding of water level management and measurement have been high among Kansas residents in these areas.
For the last 15 years, Dr. Butler has led KGS research to chart more positive paths forward for the High Plains aquifer in Kansas.