Modeling the Ogallala Aquifer on the Texas High Plains

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                        Module Teaching/Learning

• Requirements
   
• Objectives
   
• Introduction
   
• Teaching Strategies
   
• Thought Provoking Questions

 

Module Requirements

Class time required for the completion of this module:

This model can be completed in two to three one-hour class periods OR additional time will allow students to do onsite collection of data of individual wells in the school district.  Please visit http://www.slaton.esc17.net/Ogallala/ for further information.

Materials required for the completion of this module:

Instructor’s station with or without projector;
Computer lab with Internet access;
Online Connections
Ground Water Information

Different activities require software:
            Microsoft Excel (No specific version)

• Excel Tutorial

            Graphical Analysis

• Graphical Analysis Tutorial

            Stella

• Shodor's Tutorial

• Stella Tutorial

Module Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson the participants will be able to:

• Explain the history of the Ogallala Aquifer and the different problems that exist with the aquifer;
• Describe the way water is removed from the aquifer and possibilities for recharge in a closed aquifer system;
• Develop a computational algorithm to model a real life situation using registered well data on the Internet;
• Develop a computational algorithm to model a hypothetical  situation with water table drops in water wells in the aquifer;
• Revise assumptions, relationships, input and output variables and parameters as needed;
• Develop a computational model for water depletion in the aquifer;.
• Import the data into a visualization tool and graph it;
• Use reasoning abilities to form conclusions about the problem;

Extensions:

• Develop a computational algorithm to model a real life situation using  the  chemical constituents in  registered well data on the Internet;
• Develop a computational algorithm to model a hypothetical situation with water table drops in water wells and chemical composition/concentrations in the aquifer;
• Revise assumptions, relationships, input and output variables and parameters as needed
• Develop a computational model for water depletion and chemical composition/concentrations in an aquifer. 
• Import the data into a visualization tool and graph it;
• Use reasoning abilities to form conclusions about the problem;

Module Introduction

Background information and the Basics of Groundwater can be found online at http://www.groundwater.org/GWBasics/gwbasics.htm

http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/pubs.html

Information found on the above websites includes:

What Is Groundwater?
How Much Do We Depend On Groundwater?
Groundwater Protection
Hydrologic Cycle
Contamination and Concerns
Sources of Groundwater Contamination
Wells and How They Work
Ten ways you can help conserve and protect groundwater
Groundwater Glossary

The USGS Science for a Changing World Groundwater information is developed and maintained by the United States Geological Society.

Other resources can be found at the background information page and the connections page.

Why we are concerned....

Module Teaching Strategies

• Use of multimedia to present the problem
• Formation of teams for investigation and discovery
• Participant presentations
• Use of Journals to record findings and methods for solving the problem
• Students will work more efficiently if they complete the model in teams
• Students can benefit using note and data collecting tools such as Palms rather than traditional pen and paper (http://www.slaton.esc17.net/Ogallala/).
• Allow students to demonstrate their skills in Excel as they may come up with alternative ways to analyze the data.
• Utilize Vernier's Graphical Analysis software to generate graphs as well as Excel.
• Encourage students to graph other information in the data bases (TDS, pH, chemical constituents, etc.)
• Students can further analysis the data to detect patterns or mathematical relations for further modeling activities in "what if" scenarios.

Module Thought Provoking Questions

Question:    Some people are under the impression that playa lakes recharge the aquifer, BUT several people dispute that and say that the Ogallala is a "closed" system and there is NO recharge. What is your opinion and why? 

An Answer:   The "conventional wisdom" was that there was little or no recharge; however, that has largely been changed. Scientists  have proven that there is recharge from the zone "around the playa bottom" (not directly through the clay bottom but rather around the edge--- like water over flowing a saucer and running off on the table top). There are several items in the scientific literature to support their findings.
..........................From a leading Playa Researcher

Another Answer: The playas are the primary avenue for recharging the area with lesser amounts of interplaya recharge.  Some folks believe it is a closed system because the aquifer is being 'mined,' However, pumping is 9-10 times greater than recharge. Relative to that amount of pumping, it seems the aquifer is not being recharged. There are many studies in the recent literature that discuss recharge to the aquifer.
..........................From a leading Groundwater Researcher

Question:    What are the social implications regarding the loss of underground water in  the Ogallala Aquifer?

Question:    Where is more data that can be analyzed on on the Internet and in other locations? 

Question:    What  other groups doing studies on aquifer? 

Question:    What other factors could influence the results of your model?

Question:    How do you know that your results are correct?