A recent seismic study has found that despite heavy rainfall in 2023, California’s underground water reserves have not been replenished. After nearly two decades of drought, the influx of surface water brought by atmospheric rivers was a welcome relief. However, researchers from the University of Texas at Austin say it did little to restore the state’s depleted groundwater levels. According to Shujuan Mao, “There was very limited recovery, compared to the groundwater lost over the recent droughts.” The study highlights the need for sustainable water management practices to address California’s chronic water scarcity issues.
Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2468282-californias-groundwater-drought-continues-despite-torrential-rain