January 1984 water levels, and data related to water-level changes, western and south-central Kansas

Water-level measurements were made, mostly during January 1984, in about 1,450 wells in western and south-central Kansas. The measurements were made in mid-winter when pumping was minimal and water levels had recovered, for the most part, from the effects of pumping during the previous irrigation season. Annual hydrologic data are provided for relating water-level changes from a ' base-reference year ' (predevelopment year), a year of abnormally high rainfall and minimum pumpage (1966 or 1974), and each of 7 consecutive years of measurement (1978-84). The ' base-reference year ' is designated as 1940 for the southwestern area, 1944 for the south-central area, and 1950 for the northwestern and west-central areas. Water levels for the ' base-reference year ' are established by measurements made during that year and by interpretation of maps showing water-level altitudes. Data also are provided for relating the average annual water-level changes, saturated thicknesses of the deposits, and percentage changes in saturated thicknesses.