The Ogallala Formation

Ogallala Formation

The Ogallala Formation currently holds one of the world’s largest underground water aquifers. Covering an area of approximately 450,000 km2, it lies underneath portions of eight states in the Great Plains region. These states include South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas. The most significant problem associated with the Ogallala Formation is the aquifer’s rapid depletion rate, which is exacerbated by its minimal rate of recharge. Local agriculture and drinking water supplies depend heavily on the existence of this aquifer, making the preservation of the aquifer a high priority. Developing and implementing enhanced agricultural techniques is an important step towards prolonging the lifespan of the Ogallala Aquifer. …show more content…
It is mainly composed of sedimentary rocks dating from the Permian to Quaternary ages. Some examples of the rock types found in the Ogallala Formation are: siltstone, shale, clay, silt, chalk, limestone, dolomite, conglomerate, claystone, gypsum, anhydrite, and bedded salt. The concentrations of each rock type vary within every region, but at most locations it is predominantly unconsolidated, poorly sorted clay, silt, sand, and gravel. The formation is commonly overlain by impermeable layers of clays and silt which dictate the recharge rate of the formation. Located beneath the Great Plains in the United States, it encompasses a region otherwise known as the Midwest. The source for the deposits within the formation is considered to be the uplifting Rocky Mountains, with clastic sediments being transported eastward and accumulating prior to

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