Ground water in the Fresno area, California

Water-Resources Investigations Report 77-59
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
By:

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Abstract

The Fresno area of California uses about 140,000 acre-feet of ground water a year for municipal and domestic purposes. An average of 2,000,000 acre-feet of water a year is pumped for irrigation. Major sources of recharge are deep penetration of irrigation water (80 percent) and seepage from canals, rivers, and streams (15 percent). Ground water occurs under unconfined and confined conditions; most water is pumped from the unconfined, alluvial aquifer. Ground-water quality is generally suitable for domestic and irrigation uses, although hardness and concentrations of nitrates and dissolved solids are of local concern. Water levels in the unconfined aquifer declined about 25 feet in the period 1947-1976. Levels in the confined aquifer declined about 100 feet in the period 1954-1976. Increased reliance on ground water for irrigation during the drought period will accelerate water-level declines.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Ground water in the Fresno area, California
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 77-59
DOI 10.3133/wri7759
Year Published 1977
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description iii, 22 p.
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial Fresno area
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