AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Last week Pronews 7 told you about some people in Randall County concerned with their lack of water while they see farmers constantly irrigating...so we spoke with an aquifer expert today about the problem.
David Brauer works at the USDA Research Center and studies the Ogallala Aquifer. He says the aquifer isn't sustainable because of high demand. Additionally, he says with the Panhandle's economy based on agriculture; today's high prices are a big incentive for farmers to use more water.
"Crop prices are high, so it's a golden opportunity," said Brauer. "Farmers have to decide to take advantage of that and the only way to do that this year is to pump water."
Brauer added most studies looking at where the aquifer will be in 50 years predict it will be around half its current levels.
