The Challenges of Water Availability due to Competition between Food and Energy Needs in the Southern Great Plains

The Southern Great Plains (from Kansas and Colorado to the Rio Grande) is facing some of the most serious water supply challenges and is a microcosm of the national and international socio-economic risks associated with the food-energy-water nexus.   Historically this area’s economy was driven by agriculture but rapid changes in population and economic development have deemphasized agriculture and led to a disconnect between water use and economic value.   Ongoing intensive agricultural irrigation, however, continues to lower aquifers and reduce surface flows.  Further, petroleum extraction and expanding urban demands are competing for water that has historically been used for food production.  This region produces more than half of the nation’s crude oil and natural gas and portions of the region (Texas and Colorado) are growing rapidly.  Texas is expected to nearly double in population in the next 50 years.  Climate models also project greater variability in rainfall and increases in evaporation...