Paper: The Ogallala Aquifer In Texas Physical and Legal Perspective

Fights at the water hole were a part of the recorded history of settlement in the west. Windmills, well drilling machinery, and other innovative technology helped make water available at the point of need. Surface water limitations were rapidly forgotten as the arid areas enjoyed the magic and widespread abundance of underground water. Forty years of increasing demand coupled with serious depletion of the reserves again presents substantial opportunity for conflict and competition among classes of users. The "economics of the market" do not offer acceptable solution under the "rule of resource capture" and a more appropriate legal framework will ultimately evolve. Hopefully, such governmental intervention will not destroy the utility of competitive business practices.