By Blake Jackson
Groundwater levels typically reach their peak in March and April, largely due to melting winter snow and spring rainfall. The process by which rainwater and snowmelt seep into the ground is called groundwater recharge. Following this peak, groundwater levels generally begin to decline in May and continue to drop throughout the summer months.
During late spring and summer, groundwater recharge is limited because trees, crops, and other vegetation use a significant portion of the available water for growth. Naturally, groundwater levels are often at their lowest in late September or October.
In late fall, after most vegetation has ceased growing but before snow begins to accumulate, rainfall can contribute to a rise in groundwater levels. This recharge continues until cold winter temperatures and frozen soil reduce the ability of water to infiltrate the ground.
Groundwater levels during winter tend to remain relatively stable or may decrease slightly until the next spring brings snowmelt and rain, restarting the annual cycle. Problems with wells most often arise in late summer or early fall when groundwater levels are at their lowest.
Shallow wells experience the greatest natural fluctuations in groundwater levels and are more vulnerable to drought. Hand-dug or shallow wells are usually the first to run dry during dry periods, whereas deeper wells may be less affected initially but can take longer to recover once drought conditions end.
To reduce water use during dry conditions, households can take simple conservation steps such as skipping lawn watering, limiting car washing, running only full loads of laundry, and taking shorter showers.
Several counties in Pennsylvania are currently under drought watch. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) offers a county-level resource that consolidates various drought measurements including precipitation, surface water, groundwater, and the Palmer Drought Index into an easy-to-read circular graphic. This tool allows residents to monitor local drought conditions effectively.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zms
Categories: Pennsylvania, Rural Lifestyle