Although Water Year 2017 was one of the wettest on record, it’s impact on groundwater levels across the state is varied, according to a report issued by the Department of Water Resources on Friday.
While spring groundwater levels have mostly recovered from the last year, most groundwater levels have not yet recovered to pre-drought conditions; the deeper, more severely depleted groundwater basins will take years to recharge.
The data shows that as of spring 2017, most groundwater levels across the state had recovered to Spring 2016 levels, with a little over half (56.7%) showing less than 5 feet of change in groundwater levels.
About 5% of wells measured had an increase of 25 feet or more; only 1% had significantly lower groundwater levels (25 feet or more) as compared to spring of 2016.
When comparing spring 2017 measurements to spring 2011 measurements, only 1.2% had significantly higher groundwater levels; 16.3% had significantly lower groundwater levels.
Approximately 47.6% of wells had less than 5 feet of change.
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