Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

listen live donate
listen live donate
listen live
donate
  • News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
    Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
  • Podcasts & Shows
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
    Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Environment
  • State Government
  •  

Excessive Pumping of 21 Groundwater Basins In California

Thursday, January 21, 2016 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Amy Quinton / Capital Public Radio
 

Amy Quinton / Capital Public Radio

Excessive groundwater pumping has resulted in significant overdraft of 21 basins across the state. Most are in the Central Valley.

It’s led to low water levels, saltwater intrusion, or subsidence, where the land above the basin sinks.

 groundwater basin map - p

 California Department of Water Resources / Courtesy

The list was last updated in 2003. Lauren Hersh, with the California Department of Water Resources, says in determining the list, the department considered groundwater conditions in wet and dry years, but not during the drought.

“There is an acknowledgement that those basins that were having troubles, most likely conditions have gotten worse,”says Hersh.

Hersh says new laws passed in 2014 will require agencies that use water from those basins to come up with a plan to manage them by 2020.

 0121AQ_OVERDRAFTcap


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about drought

  • State Of Drought

    Reservoir levels are at historic lows, municipalities are ordering mandatory conservation and farmers are bracing for water shortages. CapRadio is following how Californians are being impacted by the drought.

    Related Stories

  • Rob Jackson, Stanford University

    "Water Windfall" Deep Beneath California's Central Valley

    Monday, June 27, 2016
    A new study finds California’s Central Valley has three times more water beneath it than previously estimated.
  • Amy Quinton / Capital Public Radio

    First Step In California Groundwater Law Stirs Debate

    Thursday, June 16, 2016
    California is one of the last states in the nation to pass a law to manage groundwater. But putting the law into practice won't come easy. Paso Robles' effort to manage groundwater is a perfect example.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Conservation Mandate Could Ease For Sacramento Water Providers

    Monday, January 25, 2016
    Water providers in the Sacramento region could see conservation requirements ease from the current statewide mandate.
  • California Department of Water Resources / Courtesy

    Feds Cautious About Water Deliveries To California Farmers

    Friday, January 22, 2016
    California farmers will find out in February just how much water will be allocated from reservoirs managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

 droughtwater resourcesgroundwaterCalifornia Department of Water ResourcesWater SupplyCalifornia water

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Environment Stories

AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File

California, other states reach impasse over Colorado River

February 2, 2023

Kenneth James/California Department of Water Resources via AP

California snowpack levels soar after back-to-back atmospheric rivers

February 1, 2023

Most Viewed

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

Backed by Newsom, California Democrats revive changes to state concealed carry law

Still testing positive after day 10? How to decide when to end your COVID isolation

Behind The I-80 Castle: A Drag-Racing, Beauty School Mogul’s Dream House

California coronavirus updates: Sacramento County COVID-19 transmission level is reduced to low by CDC

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

Backed by Newsom, California Democrats revive changes to state concealed carry law

Still testing positive after day 10? How to decide when to end your COVID isolation

Behind The I-80 Castle: A Drag-Racing, Beauty School Mogul’s Dream House

California coronavirus updates: Sacramento County COVID-19 transmission level is reduced to low by CDC

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a News Tip
  • About

    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Stations & Coverage Map
    • Careers & Internships
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Press
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile Apps
    • Smart Speakers
    • Podcasts & Shows
    • On-Air Schedules
    • Daily Playlist
    • Signal Status
  • Connect

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen Live

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2023, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.