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Maps showing water-level declines, land subsidence, and earth fissures in south-central Arizona

Water-Resources Investigations Report 78-83
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Abstract

From 1915 to 1975, more than 109 million acre-feet of ground water was withdrawn from about 4,500 square miles in Pinal and Maricopa Counties in south-central Arizona. The volume of water withdrawn greatly exceeds the volume of natural recharge, and water levels have been declining since 1923. As a result of the water-level declines, the land surface has subsided, the alluvial deposits have been subjected to stress, and earth fissures have developed. Land subsidence and earth fissures have damaged public and private properties. Subsidence and fissures will continue to occur as long as ground water is being mined and water levels continue to decline. As urban development expands, land subsidence and earth fissures will have an increasing socioeconomic impact. Information on maps includes change in water levels, measurements of land subsidence, and location of earth fissures. A section showing land subsidence between Casa Grande and the Picacho Peak Interchange also is included. Scale 1:250,000. (Woodard-USGS)

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Maps showing water-level declines, land subsidence, and earth fissures in south-central Arizona
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 78-83
DOI 10.3133/wri7883
Year Published 1978
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Description 2 Plates: 39.24 x 37.71 inches and 40.76 x 28.92 inches
Country United States
State Arizona
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