The Research Of American Ogallala Aquifer Management In The Late Of 20th Century

In the western United States,water is the most precious resource.To some extent,the history of the western United States can be said to be a history of development?competition and protection of water resources.With the continuous development of economy,the demand of water resources is increasing.The surface water resources cannot meet the needs of economic development,people gradually transferred the aim to the rich and cheap groundwater resources.As a typical of the irrigated agriculture,the Ogallala Aquifer is completely changed the High Plains' agriculture and industry in the 20 th century.However,when the High Plains' economy is developing rapidly,there is a series of problems in groundwater exploitation.The water level of Ogallala Aquifer is declining continuously,which has caused the Ogallala aquifers' exhaustion.So,the federal government and the High Plains states take various measures to protect the Ogallala Aquifer groundwater.According to the research thought and logic,the main content of the article is as follows:The part of introduction adopt comprehensive carding way to explain the problems such as academic value,practical significance,research status China and abroad,data sources,research methods and innovations about the Ogallala Aquifer groundwater in the end of 20 th century.The first chapter briefly introduces the general situation of the Ogallala aquifer and the water level declining since the 1930 s to the end of the 20 th century,which plays the role of basis for the following parts.The second chapter describes the federal government for the management of the Ogallala Aquifer in the end of the 20 th century,including setting up management institutions?making laws and the relevant technology development.This section reflects the management of water resources and the closely relationship between politics,science and technology progress.The third chapter explores the effects of the state governments for Ogallala Aquifer groundwater management from the local level.This part takes Texas as an example to introduce the history of local management about Ogallala Aquifer,including the local government's organizational structure and the similarities and differences of the groundwater conservation districts.Under the background of continuous federal water resources management,the local groundwater management of Ogallala Aquifer is different obviously basing on its own economy and the present situation of groundwater resources.The last part evaluates and analyses Ogallala Aquifer groundwater management in the end of 20 th century comprehensively.In general,the United States and local governments try to find a way which can keep human-groundwater-economy developing harmoniously since the mid 20 th century.However,the management and protection of the Ogallala Aquifer started relatively late,which was taking economic development as the center.In the process of management,the management measures were limited by the traditional consumerism,leading to the managers who cannot try their best.With the continuous development of American environmental protection movement,environment and resources protection concept gradually sinks deeper and deeper into people's hearts.People gradually realize that how important that the environment is for human development.Because of the importance of water resources for the High Plains,the groundwater management model will be improved gradually.Therefore,this article is based on the research achievements of other disciplines,combing the history of Ogallala Aquifer groundwater management,excavating the historical significance of Ogallala Aquifer from the perspective of environmental history.This is a new way to set up a harmonious developing modern of human-groundwater-economy,and explore the harmony of human civilization and the nature.