Prospects for Ground-Water Irrigation: Declining Levels and Rising Energy Costs

Ground water, an irreplaceable resource tapped from underground reservoirs, is decreasing in 11 major irrigating States. Pumping from greater depths will add to irrigation fuel costs, but rising energy prices will likely be a more serious constraint to expanded ground-water irrigation. Declining ground-water levels may not significantly reduce the irrigated area in the United States until well into the next century.