Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this event was postponed from being held in Amarillo, TX, in March 2020, and redesigned as an online interactive event that took place on February 24 and 25, 2021.
This event was designed to build on and expand beyond the information shared and activities catalyzed by the inaugural 2018 Ogallala Aquifer Summit.
Summit Goals
- Increase networking & collaboration among the region’s water-focused community members
- Encourage momentum of activities related to advancing ag water management and sustaining the vitality of High Plains communities
- Identify common vision, practices, and opportunities applicable across state lines that have the potential to benefit the aquifer region over the short- and long-term 2021
Summit Resources
State Updates: White paper summaries and other resources from the eight states that overlie the Ogallala aquifer region, plus two other white paper topics
Research Highlights: Video research and outreach summaries from OWCAP team members, postdoc researchers, and graduate students
Aquifer Perspectives: Video clips of water stakeholders from across the region, including producers and representing state water agencies, conservation districts, and others.
Who attended?
More than 200 participants including producers, water district and city managers, technology and commodity group representatives, state and federal agency staff, university/extension staff, students, and others attended each day of the summit.
High interest keynotes and panels served as springboards for thought-provoking, and action-oriented discussions among participants in small group facilitated workshops that took place throughout the event.
Summit Speaker and Panelist Bios
Press coverage
Ogallala Aquifer Summit brings the High Plains together to tackle tough water issues - High Plains Journal /Lacey Newlin
Ogallala Aquifer Summit discusses ideas on preservation of the region’s vitality - Candace Krebs /Ag Journal
2021 Ogallala Aquifer Summit encourages a community-wide approach to tackle issues facing the aquifer - Ava English /TX Water Resources Institute
Ogallala Aquifer depletion: Situation to manage, not problem to solve - Kay Ledbetter /AgriLife Today
Master Irrigators share learning to conserve at Ogallala Aquifer Summit - Candace Krebs /Ag Journal
Panels and Talks
Panel #1: What Motivates Action?
Panel #2: Managing Risk with Limited Water
Panel #3: Water + Communities
Panel #4: Water and Common Ground
Panel #5: Effective Communications and Training the Next Generation of Water Leaders
Keynote Speech: Natalie Houston U.S. Geological Survey, Water Use in the Ogallala Aquifer
Terry Cosby, Master Acting Chief, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Jim Dobrowolski, National Program Lead, USDA-National Institute of Food and Agrictulure (NIFA)
Sponsors
