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Unlocking aquifer sustainability through irrigator-driven groundwater conservation

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Elena Orduña Alegría

    (University of Kansas
    Oregon State University)

  • Sam Zipper

    (University of Kansas
    University of Kansas)

  • Hoon C. Shin

    (Purdue University)

  • Jillian M. Deines

    (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

  • Nathan P. Hendricks

    (Kansas State University)

  • Jonah J. Allen

    (Colorado School of Mines)

  • Geoffrey C. Bohling

    (University of Kansas)

  • Bill Golden

    (Kansas State University)

  • Burke W. Griggs

    (Washburn University School of Law)

  • Stephen Lauer

    (Colorado State University)

  • Chung-Yi Lin

    (Virginia Tech)

  • Landon T. Marston

    (Virginia Tech)

  • Matthew R. Sanderson

    (Kansas State University)

  • Steven M. Smith

    (Colorado School of Mines)

  • Donald O. Whittemore

    (University of Kansas)

  • Blake B. Wilson

    (University of Kansas)

  • David J. Yu

    (Purdue University)

  • Qiuyun C. Yu

    (Virginia Tech)

  • James J. Butler

    (University of Kansas)

Abstract

Aquifer depletion due to intensive irrigation threatens global economies, food security and ecosystems. This Perspective examines the hydrological, social and economic complexities of managing groundwater resources, focusing on the Sheridan 6 Local Enhanced Management Area in the US High Plains aquifer. Here irrigator-led conservation efforts reduced groundwater use by 25% and slowed aquifer depletion by 65% while maintaining farmers’ incomes. This success resulted from a hybrid integration of bottom-up rule development with top-down enforcement, providing flexible multi-year water allocations and aligning management with local conditions. From this, we identify transferable governance tenets for sustainable groundwater management in similar regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Elena Orduña Alegría & Sam Zipper & Hoon C. Shin & Jillian M. Deines & Nathan P. Hendricks & Jonah J. Allen & Geoffrey C. Bohling & Bill Golden & Burke W. Griggs & Stephen Lauer & Chung-Yi Lin &, 2024. "Unlocking aquifer sustainability through irrigator-driven groundwater conservation," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 7(12), pages 1574-1583, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:7:y:2024:i:12:d:10.1038_s41893-024-01437-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01437-0
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