Satellites spot dwindling aquifer in Calif’s farmbelt, as more wells pump up underground water

Satellites spot dwindling aquifer in central Calif

FRESNO, Calif. — New data shows that California’s two major river basins have lost almost enough water to fill the nation’s largest reservoir in just the last six years.

NASA scientists and researchers from the University of California, Irvine presented their findings at a conference Monday, showcasing data drawn from twin satellites orbiting Earth.

The satellite measurements showed that the aquifer lying below the San Joaquin Valley has dropped in recent years, as farmers and developers have drilled deeper wells to tap underground supplies amid a 3-year-old drought.

They say the amount of water lost throughout the state’s vast inland basin could nearly fill Lake Mead.