The Water Beneath Our Feet | Season 1, Episode 3

What happens to water after it disappears beneath the surface—and what happens when we keep pumping it back out?

In this episode of The Water Line™, Elizabeth Resch explores groundwater, the Ogallala Aquifer, and the connection between the landscapes we design, and the water supplies we depend on.

Drawing on memories of traveling between Midland and Lubbock during her Texas Tech years, Elizabeth looks at the playa lakes that fill after rain and seem to disappear during dry seasons. Their role in the landscape continues even when they look empty.

The conversation also comes home to Midland’s irrigation wells and green lawns, examining why a lower water bill doesn’t necessarily mean less water use. Elizabeth explains xeriscaping, the living landscapes it supports, and what developers should consider before choosing an installation based on price alone.

In this episode:

• How aquifers store water and how groundwater moves
• The difference between infiltration and aquifer recharge
• Why a wet year doesn’t automatically replace decades of pumping
• How well use can affect water levels, neighboring wells, and water quality
• Playa lakes and their importance across the Texas High Plains
• Xeriscaping with drought-tolerant, locally appropriate plants
• How plant selection, soil, grading, and drainage influence a landscape’s performance
• Five questions to ask before depending on groundwater for a property or development

Whether you’re a homeowner, developer, landowner, or community leader, understanding the water beneath your feet can help you make better decisions above ground.

Explore the resources

• USGS — Aquifers and Groundwater
• Texas Water Development Board — Ogallala Aquifer
• Texas Water Development Board — Playa Lakes
• Texas Water Development Board — Sampling a Private Water Well
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension — Xeriscape Landscape Water Conservation

Stay connected

Read our reports and explore water education resources:
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Learn about KDC Associates’ landscape architecture and environmental planning work:
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Instagram — @kdcassociates

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Hosted by Elizabeth Resch. Produced by KDC Associates.

The Water Line™
Water, land, and what comes next.

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