Ozark Plateau Aquifers
Issues:
- Uncertainty about the quantity of water available for use
- Water quality issues due to mine contamination in the Springfield aquifer, as well as the potential salt water contamination to the Ozark aquifer
Goal:
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Manage the Ozark Plateau aquifer system and surface water sources in southeast Kansas for long-term sustainability, to meet current and long-term growth demands, provide good quality water, and meet minimum desirable streamflow
Current Activities:
- Kansas is monitoring the aquifers for short and long-term changes to water levels and water quality using existing and newly installed monitoring wells
- Develop a regional groundwater model of Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma to simulate effects of the impacts of additional groundwater development on water quantity and quality in Kansas and on the baseflow contribution of the Spring River and Shoal Creek
- Moratorium on new appropriations of groundwater in the Ozark Plateau aquifer except for wells used for domestic, temporary, small exemption or term permits until a study is completed to determine recharge
- The Tri-State Water Resource Coalition contracted with Kansas Geological Survey to evaluate the effects of pumping on water quality in single and dual-aquifer wells in the transition zone of Kansas and Missouri. This grant-funded study will identify potential future water demands and how they might be addressed
Groundwater Flow Model:
- The groundwater flow model for the Ozark Plateau aquifer system is complete and the Ozark Final Model Report has been released.
- For more information on the Ozark model and a summary of the model results visit the Groundwater Flow Model of the Ozark Plateaus Aquifer System page.
- Additional information on modeling efforts in this region can be located at
United States Geological Survey Ozark Aquifer Information page.
The Ozark Plateau aquifers are an important source of water for the region of southeast Kansas, southwest Missouri, northeastern Oklahoma and a small portion of northwest Arkansas. The system consists of two aquifers that have a discontinuous confining layer. The upper aquifer is the Springfield Plateau aquifer. The lower is the Ozark aquifer.
The Springfield Plateau aquifer contains fresh water in southwest Missouri and northeast Oklahoma. There it is shallow and can produce enough water for domestic purposes. Water quality of the Springfield Plateau aquifer in Kansas is poor. It may be unfit for domestic use because of significant lead and ore mining in the Tri-State Mining District. Mining shafts have allowed contaminated water to move from the surface into the deeper Ozark aquifer.
The Ozark aquifer contains usable water in southeast Kansas. It is the source for most of the groundwater supplied to area municipalities and rural water districts. At the bottom of the Ozark aquifer is a brine layer of salt water. That layer is moving west to east across Kansas. Some also are concerned that significant groundwater pumping in areas could potentially cause upwelling of brines within the aquifer. This could decrease the water quality.
In 2004, the Kansas Department of Agriculture – Division of Water Resources established a moratorium on new appropriations from the Ozark aquifer in Kansas. It was established because of two reasons. First, there was an uncertainty about the available water supply in the Ozark aquifer. In addition, there were water quality concerns. The map below shows the moratorium region, as well as the salt-water transitional zone of concern.
