Worried about your well during the current drought? Rainfall in the region to date is only 12.89 inches, compared to average rainfall of 34 inches. The unprecedented dry conditions affects groundwater resources in multiple ways:

• There is less recharge into the aquifer from rain, creeks, streams and other surface water;
• People use more water to irrigate drought-stressed landscapes, gardens, vines and crops; and
• Water catchment systems and on-farm reservoirs received minimal run-off, and may already be dry, resulting in greater reliance of groundwater for irrigation and drinking water for animals.

For all these reasons and more, rural landowners who rely on groundwater are understandably concerned about the impact that drought could have on wells.

For more information and resources about the drought, groundwater wells and groundwater monitoring and reporting check out our drought page.