From this map, it's very easy to see large areas of the state showing groundwater level declines of up to five feet. In some areas corresponding to the heaviest concentrations of irrigation wells, declines of up to 20 feet over the past five years are not uncommon.

183

These persistent and growing declines in the aquifer over a large area of the state are due mainly to current drought conditions and resulting increases in groundwater pumping for irrigation.

115