Ground Water Levels Rising, One Agency Says
Ground water levels in the San Gabriel Valley are increasing, helping to protect residents there against the effects of continued drought, board members governing the water supply reported Thursday.
Recent measurements taken at a well in Baldwin Park show an increase of about 80,000 acre-feet, or enough water to meet the needs of 160,000 households for one year, according to the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster.
Weekly measurements taken by the watermaster over a 17-month period ending Nov. 30 revealed a 10-foot increase in the water level at the well site.
During the drought, the water level at the well has dropped significantly, according to watermaster figures. Although less water was extracted during the past several years, replenishment through recharge of local and imported water fell behind.
But during the last five months of this year, surplus water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, reservoirs and spring rains combined to raise the ground water level, the board reported.
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