Historical wells and aquifer depletion rates on the Texas High Plains

Authors: Stout, John

Submitted to: Texas Water Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/19/2026
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Groundwater development has been key to the transformation of the Texas High Plains from rangeland into highly productive cropland. However, groundwater extraction from the Ogallala has led to the gradual depletion of the aquifer. The exact amount of water loss remains uncertain due to insufficient knowledge of groundwater conditions before large-scale exploitation began. The earliest records of the water table in the Texas High Plains were compiled by Charles Baker in 1914. These early observations offer valuable insights into pre-development groundwater conditions. By analyzing Baker’s historical data combined with more recent measurements from federal scientific organizations, state agencies, and local water districts, we can construct a long-term, detailed, and nearly continuous record of a declining water table across the region. Results suggest that although the Ogallala aquifer continues to be depleted at a rapid rate, current groundwater usage by farmers is generally lower than in the past.

Technical Abstract: The development and utilization of the Ogallala aquifer was a critical factor that contributed to the transformation of the Texas High Plains from sparsely populated cattle country to a highly productive agricultural region. However, the extraction of groundwater has also led to the gradual depletion of this resource. The exact amount of water loss remains uncertain due to insufficient knowledge of groundwater conditions before large-scale exploitation began. The earliest observations of the water table in the Texas High Plains were obtained by Charles Baker in 1914. Baker's water level observations were collected only a few years after the first irrigation wells were drilled into the Texas High Plains. These early observations offer valuable insights into "pre-development" groundwater conditions. By combining Baker's early observations with subsequent measurements, obtained by federal scientific organizations, state agencies and local water districts, it is possible to obtain long-term, detailed, and nearly continuous records of a receding water table at various locations across the Texas High Plains. The rate at which the water table is declining is directly related to the rate of aquifer depletion. Results suggest that although the Ogallala aquifer is still being depleted at a rapid rate; in most cases, producers appear to be using less water today than they were using in the past.