High Plains Aquifer Assignment
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School
Georgia State University *
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Course
3880
Subject
Geography
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
Pages
2
Uploaded by MateGoat2620
1.
Given that the High Plains Aquifer overlaps so many states, how might water use in one
state affect water use in another state? How could this further complicate water
decisions?
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If one of the states upstream were to overuse the water in the aquifer, the states
downstream will be affected negatively and will have less water to use. When a state
overuses water in this case, it can lower the water level for all states. This complicates
policies because there seems to be many conflicts where the states cannot agree on a
resolution to help all, especially since different states have different opinions, laws, and
regulations.
2.
How is water use correlated with crop production and the types of crops produced
(Figure 6)?
-
The crops need water to grow, and that’s important for corn crops in the Great Plains.
Looking at figure 6, it is clear that the production of corn increased dramatically over the
years, and the corn just happens to be one the most water intensive crops. Corn is also
produced for multiple uses/reasons and that ultimately means that the production of the
crop won’t slow down. The use of water will not slow down either if farmers continue with
irrigation and sprinkler farming.
3.
Think about potential consequences to the transformation of fish communities across the
region. Considering that fish species are indicators of ecosystem health, what can the
decline of pelagic-spawning minnows tell us about the status of Great Plains rivers?
-
The declining of pelagic-spawning minnows lets us know that the amount of surface
flowing water which is linked to aquifer levels are also declining. This is evident to us
because these specific fish require long intact river reaches to complete their life-history.
4.
What other natural communities might be altered because of decreased stream flow?
-
Catfish and Bass communities might also be altered due to the decreased stream flow
because they feed off the pelagic-spawning minnows. This ultimately causes problems in
the food chain something like a domino effect. If there is no food, natural communities
disappear, therefore affecting all other communities that depend on them.
5.
Why are landowners and land managers at odds over water use reform? What is at
stake for each group if reforms are approved?
-
Landowners and land managers are at odds over the water use reform because
landowners are concerned about how the water reform might impact their business and
because change will be costly for them. If reforms in this case are approved, then
conditions in ecosystems will improve.
6.
What compromises do you think might be possible between landowners and land
managers?
-
The possible compromises that landowners and land managers might have are limiting
irrigation and self-regulating.
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