and it is being pumped dry

America's heartland food production collapses

Without the Ogallala Aquifer

no irrigation for the corn, wheat, alfalfa and other crops grown across these states to feed people and animals.

No water

drops another few inches as it is literally being sucked dry

the Ogallala Aquifer isn't being recharged in any significant way from rainfall or rivers.

"fossil water"

once you use it, it's gone

disappearing now faster than ever.

has become a place of despair

Dead cattle. Wilted crops.

Water doesn't magically reappear in the Ogallala

Once it's used up, it's gone.

led to a population explosion

food is cheap

and plentiful, populations readily expand.

food becomes scarce or expensive

after the

populations will fall

Ogallala runs dry