In western Kansas, water isn’t a background issue. It’s the issue.
It determines whether crops can be grown, whether livestock operations can operate or even expand, and whether small towns can count on a reliable drinking water supply. And for a region with limited surface water, it also determines what the next generation inherits.
That’s why Katie Durham, district manager for Western Kansas Groundwater Management District #1 (GMD1), says the push toward stability isn’t a slogan. It’s a practical way to talk about what it will take to keep the Ogallala Aquifer viable for the people who depend on it.
In this series, learn how communities in Kansas GMD1 are working together to address water challenges and protect this critical resource for future generations. You’ll hear from producers, scientists and local leaders who are turning data, conversations and real-world decisions into long-term solutions.
Read the series and listen to the companion After the Rain podcasts:
- Why Q-Stable Matters
- When the Data Becomes Personal
- Using Every Tool in the Toolbox
- The Middle Step Towards Q-Stable
- When the Numbers Start to Change
- Stability for the Next Generation
After the Rain is a storytelling podcast from Playa Lakes Joint Venture that features the voices of those stewarding the land—and the stories that surface after the rain. Listen to podcast episodes and subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and Youtube.