Kansas Geological Survey presents aquifer loss maps and tools to help manage groundwater use

The Kansas Geological Survey told the Kansas House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources that parts of the High Plains aquifer have lost more than 60% of their original thickness and described new measurement and modeling tools intended to help irrigators, agencies and local governments manage groundwater.

KGS Director and Kansas State Geologist Jay Kalbus said the survey’s map of percentage change in aquifer thickness is “a window into one possible future based on empirical data” and that the product is delivered promptly to farmers, ranchers and state agencies to inform local decisions. He said the map is based on repeated, hand‑measured water‑level data and quality‑assured processing.

Kalbus described several measurement and data programs the survey operates or supports: annual hand measurements of roughly 1,400 wells; a network of continuously monitored wells that provide near‑real‑time hydrographs; an app that allows irrigators to report pumpage electronically so the Division of Water Resources receives near‑instant water‑use data; and airborne electromagnetic surveys to map aquifer thickness and lithology in three dimensions.

The survey said its crews measured 97,500 feet of wells by hand in the most recent…