Interesting Statistics of the Ogallala Aquifer and High Plains
Region
- It is the largest groundwater system in North America.2
- Its 3.3 billion acre feet* of fresh water would fill Lake
Huron with enough water remaining to fill one-fifth of Lake Ontario.1
- If pumped out over the United States, the aquifer would cover
all 50 states with one and ½ feet of water.1
- If completely drained, it would take more than 6,000 years
to refill.2
- Over 170,000 wells pump from the aquifer, one for every square
mile.1
- Over 50,000 of these wells are in Northwest Texas.2
- More than 90% of the water pumped is used to irrigate crops,
and withdrawals equal 30% of the total groundwater used for irrigation
in the U.S.2
- From 1940's to 1980, the aquifer's average water level declined
nearly 10 ft. a year.2
- The aquifer is directly responsible for $20 billion a year
in food and fiber production.2
- Texas can produce 2 million more bales of cotton a year because
of the aquifer.2
- The Texas High Plains accounts for 34% of the state's total
cropland and 69% of the total irrigated cropland.3
- Cotton, wheat, and grain sorghum are the most significant
Texas crops grown in the region.3
- The aquifer covers 35,000 square miles in Texas (11% of state's
lands).3
- Mean precipitation range of 14-22 inches for Texas High Plains.3
- Average saturated thickness in the Texas region of 112 ft
with a range of 3-500 ft.3
* An acre foot of groundwater is enough to cover an acre of land
with one foot of water (~326,000 gallons).1
1 EPA Journal (Lewis)
2 National Geographic (Zwingle)
3 Groundwater Exploitation in the High Plains (Urban)