Oklahoma Groundwater Decline Alarms Lawmaker
- mike33692
- Oct 2
- 1 min read
Groundwater Levels Falling in Oklahoma Panhandle
Lawmakers learned this week that underground water levels in the Oklahoma Panhandle and parts of southwest Oklahoma are dropping by 3 to 6 feet each year.
Representative Mike Dobrinski told colleagues invasive species are part of the problem, consuming water that should be available for crops and communities.
Lack of Groundwater Regulation
Experts also revealed Oklahoma remains one of the only western states without mandatory groundwater metering. Eighteen other states require measurement systems to track usage, but Oklahoma relies on self-reporting—sometimes called the “honor system.”
Water shortages could pose severe risks to agriculture, rural towns, and industries reliant on the Ogallala Aquifer. Farmers are increasingly concerned that without stronger water management policies, the future of Oklahoma agriculture is at stake.
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