Aquifer Depletion Threatens Crop Yields, Study Finds

As Groundwater Levels Drop, Impact on Corn and Soybean Crops Becomes Progressively Larger

Depletion of groundwater from aquifers, which farmers rely on for irrigation, can significantly reduce crop yields, even when the aquifer appears saturated enough to meet irrigation demands.
The study found that as an aquifer's thickness decreases, the impact on crop yields becomes progressively larger, particularly for corn and soybean crops.
Researchers analyzed data from the High Plains Aquifer, the largest in the United States, which underlies parts of eight states and has been significantly depleted in some areas over the past several decades.
Farmers growing crops above the most saturated parts of the aquifer continued to enjoy high yields even during times of extreme water deficits, while those depending on less saturated areas saw their yields begin to decline.
The study suggests that policymakers, resource managers, and growers need to reconsider the volume of groundwater they have at their disposal, especially in the face of more frequent and severe droughts.