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The Drought of 2024: How the Buried Valley Aquifer Supports Ohio’s Resilience

Drought in Ohio: 2024 Overview 

Southwest Ohio faced severe drought this year, with dry conditions lingering from mid-June through October. As the heat intensified in September, parts of Ohio, especially southeastern Ohio, slipped into extreme drought. For Ohio’s agricultural sector, the timing couldn’t have been worse—many farmers saw decreased yields, and the USDA classified 22 counties as natural disaster zones. Ponds and wells went dry, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources urged residents to conserve water. While the September remnants of Hurricane Helene brought a brief reprieve, the drought underscored Ohio’s vulnerability to water shortages.

The Buried Valley Aquifer: A Natural Reservoir Beneath Our Feet 

In the heart of this challenge lies an incredible resource, the buried valley aquifer, an underground formation of sand and gravel filled with up to 1.5 trillion gallons of water. Formed by glacial rivers thousands of years ago, this aquifer is like a water "savings account" for Southwest Ohio. The buried valley aquifer is not only a crucial drinking water source for communities but also plays a vital role in keeping our rivers and streams flowing, even during droughts. Connected to the Great Miami River, the buried valley aquifer allows for a steady water exchange, reinforcing the river's flow and stability.

Tracking Water Resources with the Miami Conservancy District 

The Miami Conservancy District plays a pivotal role in tracking water levels, inflows, and outflows across the Miami Valley. With an extensive network of 42 precipitation stations, stream gauges, and 101 observation wells, Miami Conservancy District monitors the region’s water status, providing crucial data that shows how the aquifer—and the communities it supports—are managing through drought conditions.

2024 Findings: Precipitation, Runoff, and Aquifer Health

  • Precipitation Patterns: While 2024’s total rainfall was slightly above the historical average, it came in sporadic bursts. January, April, July, and September saw above-average rain, but drier spells in other months tipped the region toward drought. Through September, the total precipitation was 33.34 inches, marginally above the average but unevenly distributed.

 

  • Runoff Levels: Despite adequate rainfall, runoff—the water entering the Great Miami River—was consistently below average, except in April. Total runoff for 2024 was 10.5 inches by September, which is 2.84 inches below the norm. This suggests that while some rain fell, less made it into rivers and streams, likely absorbed by the parched ground or lost to evaporation.

  • Aquifer Storage and Groundwater Levels: Our observation wells in the BVA showed that groundwater levels were below average for much of the year. Typical annual cycles see groundwater replenishing from November to May, but with the dry late fall and winter of 2023, this recharge was cut short. Data from specific wells, such as BU-179 in Butler County, indicate how the aquifer’s levels responded to these conditions, often remaining below the normal range. Some wells closer to urban areas, like one near Dayton’s wellfields, saw variable levels, likely influenced by local pumping.

 

 

Long-Term Trends: A Stable, Resilient Aquifer

Long-term data collected by the Miami Conservancy District from 2000 to 2024 provides a broader perspective on the BVA’s resilience. Across the 101 observation wells, most showed no long-term decline, despite periodic droughts in 1988, 1991, 1994, 1999, 2012, and 2016. Of the 60 buried valley aquifer wells, only 15 recorded slight downward trends, primarily in urban areas with higher groundwater demand, such as Hamilton, Fairfield, Franklin, and Dayton. This stability shows the buried valley aquifer’s capacity to endure even extended dry periods, though urban demand may place added pressure on this precious resource.

A Powerful Takeaway

The drought of 2024 serves as a reminder of the importance of water conservation and the role natural resources like the buried valley aquifer play in regional resilience. Careful monitoring and data collection ensure we’re prepared, and the buried valley aquifer continues to support the Southwest Ohio region, proving that even in challenging conditions, Ohio’s water future is secure when we prioritize sustainable water use and regional resource management.

As climate patterns evolve, the buried valley aquifer’s role as a natural reservoir remains a reassuring reminder of the need to protect and preserve our water resources for generations to come.

 


Posted in: Groundwater on October 28th, 2024