The Ogallala Aquifer is a critical natural resource spanning over 111 million acres across eight states in the Central Flyway (Dennehy). The Ogallala provides drinking water for at least 2 million people in the U.S. (Deheney) and supports around 30% of the nation’s agricultural and livestock production (Deheney). The aquifer accounts for 15% of groundwater withdrawals in the contiguous U.S. (Lovelace). This area has significant overlap with Ducks Unlimited’s priority conservation landscapes, which offer important habitats for waterfowl during winter, breeding, and migration. Nearly 95% of the Ogallala’s groundwater is recharged through playa wetlands. Playas, or recharge wetlands, are shallow basins lined with clay that help filter and direct rainfall into the aquifer, ensuring a reliable water supply for both people and wildlife.
Changes in land use, land management, and invasive species have led to widespread losses and the deterioration of playa wetlands and other native habitats, which ultimately reduces the amount of water available to the Ogallala (Fig. 1). Fortunately, our conservation activities can help reverse these trends and increase recharge to this critical aquifer. For instance, the conversion of grasslands to cropland has heightened soil erosion and runoff, which in turn increases sediment buildup in playas. This sedimentation diminishes the volume of playas and their ability to recharge the aquifer. Restoring and protecting existing playas increases the amount of water returned to the aquifer. In addition, DU’s work reduces pressure on wetlands and the aquifer by removing invasive plants that have very high rates of water consumption compared to native vegetation.
By combining sustainable land use practices, water conservation methods, policy and incentive programs, and community and corporate collaboration, Ducks Unlimited is working to slow the depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer and extend its viability for future generations.
In total, 658 project deliveries from FY22-24 in the Ogallala Aquifer have contributed to:
Over this same period, DU donors invested an average of 1.4 million dollars per year in this landscape. We must double this amount to achieve our conservation goals in this landscape.
Playas, also known as recharge wetlands, are shallow clay-lined basins that play a crucial role in filtering and directing precipitation into the aquifer, naturally replenishing and improving water quality for both communities and wildlife. However, changes in land use have caused significant losses and degradation of these vital wetlands.
Recharge refers to the process of adding water to an aquifer. This can happen naturally through precipitation and surface runoff or artificially by injecting water into the ground. Natural recharge occurs when rainwater or melting snow seeps through the soil and replenishes the
aquifer below. Artificial recharge involves directing water from surface sources, such as rivers and lakes, into an aquifer through injection wells or storing it in reservoirs and allowing it to filter into the groundwater system gradually.
Click below to view an interactive map of the ongoing projects in the Ogallala Aquifer!
Playa wetlands offer a range of ecological, economic, and social benefits as they are crucial parts of multiple ecosystems. Ducks Unlimited and partners work across this region to restore vital ecosystems through sediment removal, native grass buffers, and hydrological improvements.
Beyond aquifer recharge, playas offer numerous ecosystem benefits as they:
Fast Facts
Project Focus: Restoring the 3.9-million-acre Rainwater Basin, once home to 12,000 playas covering 200,000 acres.
Deliveries: Work with landowners to remove sediment, establish native grass buffers, and improve water retention.
Project Focus: Restoring Kansas’ 22,000 playas, 85% of which are degraded.
Deliveries: Fill pits, remove sediment, and improve water runoff management.
Goal: Restore 2,000 acres of playas annually with private and public funding
Project Focus: Restoring Playas in the Texas Panhandle
Deliveries: Work with landowners to fill pits, remove silt/sediment, and restore natural hydrology.
Restored: 1,100 acres
Another significant threat to the Ogallala Aquifer lies in the rapid multiplication of invasive, water-intensive trees known such as Tamarisk and Russian Olive out-compete native prairie vegetation for water and reduce groundwater recharge. For example, one mature Tamarisk uses 32 gallons of water per day.
Benefits of invasive species removal:
Ducks Unlimited’s work is largely supported by state and federal habitat and wildlife agencies as well as corporate partners. Through collaborative initiatives, these partners have provided funding and resources to help restore thousands and acres, contributing millions of gallons of water to the aquifer annually:
If you are interested in supporting projects in and around the Ogallala Aquifer, contact:
Eric Lindstrom, Senior Managing Director of Development
Dennehy, K., Litke, D., McMahon, P., 2002. The High Plains Aquifer, USA: groundwater development and sustainability. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 193, 99- 119.
Dennehy, K.F., 2000. High Plains regional ground-water study. US Department of the Interior, US Geological Survey, Washington, DC, USA.
Gurdak, J.J., and Roe, C.D., 2009, Recharge rates and chemistry beneath playas of the High Plains aquifer—A literature review and synthesis: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1333, 39 p.
Lovelace, J. K .. Nielsen, M. G., Read, A. L., Murphy, C. J .. and Maupin, M. A. 2020. Estimated groundwater withdrawals from principal aquifers in the United States, 2015.
Share this photo
Ducks Unlimited uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience, optimize site functionality, analyze traffic, and deliver personalized advertising through third parties. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. View Privacy Policy
