Western states are experiencing a megadrought. Water levels at Lake Mead and Lake Powell are falling hundreds of feet, and shortages on the Colorado River mean that Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico are facing cuts to their water use.  But these aren't the only reserves that are under threat – hundreds of feet underground, the drought is impacting our water security in ways we can't even see.  The Ogallala Aquifer is the biggest aquifer in America, and one of the largest in the world. In addition to providing drinking water for almost two million people, the aquifer supports about $35 billion in agricultural production every year. But the aquifer is drying up in many regions – and that’s creating new conflicts over water rights. This week, Melodie Edwards, host of the podcast The Modern West, brings us to the front lines of the Western water wars. We go to Laramie County, Wyoming, where a group of ranchers are fighting permits for high capacity wells – and changing the state’s water law in the process. The Carbon Copy is a co-production of Post Script Media and Canary Media. The Carbon Copy is supported by GridX. GridX provides invaluable business insight that improves the uptake of the programs, products and services needed to decarbonize. Delivering on our clean energy future is complex. GridX exists to simplify the journey. Learn more. The Carbon Copy is brought to you by KORE Power. KORE Power is the leading U.S.-based developer of battery cell technology for the clean energy industry. KORE Power is proud to offer a functional solution to real-world problems and fulfill market demand to deliver a zero-carbon future. Learn more at www.korepower.com.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices