Kansas groundwater survey to help avoid short-term shortages

The Kansas Geological Survey is measuring groundwater levels in western Kansas in early January, according to a release from the University of Kansas. Organizers hope the effort will help avoid groundwater shortages due to agricultural irrigation that occurs during the growing season.

The Kansas Geological Survey will measure wells in 15 counties during the January push. From there, a total of 1,415 wells will be measured in 48 of the state’s central and western counties.

The geological survey depends on cooperation from landowners in the state to complete the mass groundwater measurements. Most wells in Kansas are measured during December, January and February each year.