Water in Kansas: Reflections on the Past and the Present
In Kansas, water is a vital resource that touches every aspect of our lives. As a state with a strong agricultural backbone, we depend heavily on water for irrigation, livestock, and crop production. Our primary sources of water are the High Plains Aquifer and various reservoirs and rivers scattered across our landscape.
However, we're facing some serious challenges. Over-extraction of groundwater, especially from the High Plains Aquifer, has led to significant declines in water levels. This puts our long-term water supply at risk, not just for farming, but for our communities and industries as well. Add to that the periodic droughts and unpredictable weather patterns, and it's clear we have a tough job managing our water resources.
To speak on this complex topic, the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Action Committee has invited Rex Buchanan to speak to our community. Rex is the Director Emeritus of the Kansas Geological Survey, based at the University of Kansas. A native of Rice County, Kansas, he was at the KGS from 1978 til 2016. He is the co-author or editor of several books, including Roadside Kansas: A Traveler’s Guide to Its Geology and Landmarks; Kansas Geology: An Introduction to Landscapes, Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils; and Petroglyphs of the Kansas Smoky Hills, all published by the University Press of Kansas. He does occasional commentaries for Kansas Public Radio and has degrees from Kansas Wesleyan University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.Tickets are $12 and include breakfast and discussion. We hope to see you there!