Understanding Groundwater Depletion and Climate Change
Ask students: Why are aquifers in the US experiencing groundwater depletion? What is subsidence? How are these crises related to climate change?
An underreported crisis is unfolding in America, often overshadowed by other issues we see in the news. New York Times reporters recently showed that more than half of thousands of wells they researched were exhibiting significant depletion due to excessive water extraction that surpasses nature's replenishment capabilities. And in an even more alarming trend, 4 of every 10 sites reached unprecedented lows in the past decade.
Climate change and global warming have rightly drawn attention to escalating issues above ground—such as intensified hurricanes, droughts and wildfires— but a parallel climate crisis is silently unfolding beneath our feet, largely unnoticed.
In this edition of “Today’s News, Tomorrow’s Lesson,” students will explore a growing crisis that affects our groundwater and work to understand the following concepts:
- What an aquifer is and how it functions;
- The impact of groundwater depletion on agriculture;
- How state and federal agencies and scientists manage water;
- The impacts of climate change on water security in coastal communities; and
- How a sinking valley is grappling with climate change and water depletion.
Get started with the adaptable exercises and discussion questions below. If you have an idea or suggestion for another edition of TNTL, please send me an email.
A Note for Educators
Recent wetter winters have temporarily eased California's drought conditions, pushing the expected drought concerns to 2025. However, the issue of groundwater depletion remains a critical challenge not only in California but also in other states. This lesson explores the complexities of groundwater sustainability and why ongoing conservation efforts are essential for long-term water security.
Understanding Aquifers in the U.S.
Discussion Questions
- Understanding Aquifers: How do aquifers function, and why are they crucial to both local ecosystems and human communities, based on the explanation provided by Warigia Bowman?
- Ownership and Management of Water: Discuss the role of state and federal governments in managing groundwater resources. How does the ownership and management of water sources, like aquifers, impact their sustainability and conservation?
- Impact on Agriculture: Considering the information about the depletion of aquifers in Kansas affecting corn yields, how might the ongoing depletion of aquifers impact the agricultural sector in the U.S. more broadly?
- Urban Development Challenges: Explore the challenges faced by cities like Phoenix, where water scarcity is hindering new construction. How might other sprawling cities navigate the challenges presented by aquifer depletion to ensure a stable water supply for their growing populations?
- Coastal Regions and Aquifer Depletion: Discuss the specific challenges faced by coastal regions like Florida and Louisiana due to aquifer depletion and saltwater intrusion. How might these challenges be mitigated to protect both human communities and local ecosystems?
- Climate Crisis and Aquifer Depletion: How does the climate crisis exacerbate the depletion of aquifers, and what might be the long-term implications of this for water availability and environmental stability? How can communities and governments adapt to and mitigate these challenges?
Dig Deeper: Saltwater Intrusion
Watch the following video, "Saltwater crisis impacting areas along Mississippi River" from NBC News and answer the following discussion questions as a class:
- Impacts on Communities: Considering the experiences of Harold Sylvie and his family in Port Sulphur, La., discuss the immediate and potential long-term impacts that saltwater intrusion has on freshwater sources in local communities. How might these challenges affect daily life, health and economic stability in affected areas?
- Government and Crisis Management: Evaluate the response of various levels of government to the water crisis in Louisiana. How effective are the emergency steps, such as the underwater barrier and pipe installations, in addressing the immediate needs and mitigating the ongoing crisis? What additional measures might be necessary to safeguard water supplies in the face of ongoing climate challenges?
- Climate Change and Water Security: Explore the relationship between the recorded hottest months and the water crisis unfolding in Louisiana. How does climate change, exemplified by the extraordinary heat and drought conditions, exacerbate water security issues, and what strategies might be employed to ensure safe drinking water in the context of a changing climate?
Subsidence and California's Sinking Valley
One winter of rain does not undo a decade of drought; so what’s going on in California’s San Joaquin Valley, a region where the land experiences high subsidence, or the gradual caving in or sinking of an area of land? The questions for this video aim to stimulate thoughtful discussion among students, encouraging them to explore various aspects of water management, technological advancements and the socioeconomic implications of water scarcity in California.
Discussion Questions
- Historical Context and Current Struggles: How does the historical context of water management in California, dating back to the Central Valley Project in 1933, relate to the current struggles faced by farmers like Daniel Bays? How have previous droughts and water management decisions shaped the current situation?
- Technological Advancements and Groundwater Management: Discuss the role of technological advancements, such as airborne electromagnetic surveys and satellite information, in understanding and managing groundwater in California. How might these technologies inform future water conservation and management strategies?
- Sustainable Groundwater Management Act: Discuss the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and its implications for local water agencies and farmers. How might the act influence long-term planning and solution-finding for water conservation in California?
- Aquifer Storage and Recovery Programs: Explore the concept and effectiveness of aquifer storage and recovery programs, like the one implemented by the Woodland Davis Clean Water Agency. How might such programs be expanded or improved to enhance water security in various regions of California?
- Paleo Rivers and Groundwater Management: Discuss the discovery of paleo-rivers and their potential role in groundwater management. How might these ancient pathways be utilized to enhance groundwater storage, and what challenges might be encountered in doing so?
- Future of Farming and Water Security: Considering the experiences and hopes of farmers like Daniel Bays, discuss the future of farming in California in the context of ongoing water scarcity. How might farmers adapt to changing water availability, and what role might government and technology play in supporting sustainable farming practices?
How Goes the Flow?
Check out this visual tour of how water moves through California. Does your state have similar projects or engineering achievements? Research as a class to see where your water comes from, and discuss with time permitting.
Visualzing the Issues: Subsidence
Subsidence has long been a problem in the San Joaquin Valley, but how long has it been happening? Since agriculture in California started taking off in the early 20th century, the valley has experienced decades of too much water pumping and the sinking of the land. Read more about subsidence in the San Joaquin Valley from the U.S. Geological Survey here.
Check out the images below as a class or in groups, and discuss what comes to mind.
- Why do you think the image was made?
- What’s happening in the image?
- Who do you think was the audience for this image?
- What do you think this looks like today?
- Why didn’t people in 1977, when the first image was captured, take the issue more seriously?
Bonus Read: Managing Groundwater
The New York Times asked all 50 states how they manage groundwater. The answers show why the country’s aquifers are in trouble.
Lesson Plans on Climate Change
Explore more resources for educators to find a wide-range of relevant preK-12 lessons on climate change or supporting young people as they continue to lead the conversation around the climate change crisis.
Andy Kratochvil is an SML team member who loves hiking, video games, scary books, Mexican food, and finding great content for the Share My Lesson community. He studied political science and French at California State University, Fullerton and received his Master’s in International Affairs from... See More
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