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DISCUSSION <br />During the winter of 1999/2000, 656 wells were measured in the Northern High Plains Designated <br />Basin. An attempt was made to measure all the wells within a six week period beginning approximately in <br />late -December 1999. This goal was achieved due to the mild winter throughout the basin. All wells were <br />measured prior to February 15, 2000. By measuring the wells in a short time period, it is hoped that <br />seasonal fluctuations will be dampened and that the hydrographs and comparison of water level change will <br />more accurately reflect the true ground water conditions. The three hydrographs for wells with continuous <br />recorders show that the aquifer receives recharge up to the beginning of the irrigation season and that <br />measuring the wells at the same time each year is critical to obtaining consistent data. <br />Throughout the Northern High Plains, the water levels continue to show the regional decline which <br />is to be expected when water is being "mined". This year considerable areas show small rises in water <br />levels. The map contained in the appendix shows the relative change in water levels since last year. <br />The average rate of decline for the past year was slightly higher than for the preceding year (0.51 <br />feet during 1999/2000 as compared with 0.33 feet in 1998/1999). The well hydrographs contained in the <br />appendix show representative water level trends in areas throughout the basin. Based on previous work, the <br />overall decline of 0.51 feet equals approximately 460,000 acre-feet which have been removed from storage. <br />A decline of 1 -foot is equal to a depletion from storage of approximately 900,000 acre feet. Over the past <br />ten years (1991 to 2000) the basin -wide water level has declined approximately 4.58 feet representing a <br />depletion of approximately 4,500,000 acre-feet or 4% of the estimated 1965 storage in the aquifer. <br />