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GROUNDWATER UPDATE
08/17/05
Shallow groundwater levels in Illinois remain below average. The latest water level data
we have for ISWS shallow observation wells at Fermi National Laboratory (DuPage County) and
Bondville (Champaign County) are at their lowest levels for August since their records started in
November1988 and March 1982, respectively. The water level at Fermi Lab is 10.05' (1.97' below
normal) and at Bondville is 7.37' (1.96' below normal). Water levels in both wells have fallen
almost 0.9' since last being measured in late July. The Groundwater Information Office continues
to receive reports from well drillers lowering pumps or redrilling wells to greater depths as a
result of lowered water levels in aquifers in northern and northwestern Illinois, including Kane
(Campton Township), LaSalle, and Whiteside Counties.
Irrigation demand appears to have decreased during the past two weeks along the border
of Bureau and Whiteside Counties. Groundwater levels observed by the ISWS on August 3, 2005
have risen by 1 to 4 feet in the buried Sankoty aquifer, the aquifer favored by irrigators in this
region of Illinois. By contrast, groundwater levels in observation wells completed in the surficial
Tampico aquifer (overlying the Sankoty) declined about 3 to 4 inches in Whiteside, Lee, Bureau,
and northern Henry counties. Historical records suggest that this trend will continue, possibly
until December, despite the lessening of irrigation demand.
Although rainfall received across Illinois this past week may alleviate some soil moisture
deficits, shallow groundwater levels can be expected to continue to decline until soil moisture is
replenished, thus allowing water to infiltrate beyond the root zone of transpiring plants.
Illinois Drought
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Last Modified: August 17, 2005
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