Water levels in the Equis Beds ground water table in central Kansas increased in the area for the first time in several years. According to general manager Tim Boese, the aquifer showed an increase in the area of 2.5 feet. Boese says that’s still about half of what was lost in 2011 and 2012.
Boese says the increase can be attributed to a number of factors, from water use, to timely rainfall. Rains over the hot summer growing season limited the amount of water used by both farmers and city residents.
While the area has benefited from rain and snow, Boese is cautious to declare the drought in Kansas over. Both western and northwest Kansas saw continued declines in the water table although they were less than the previous two years.