Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Groundwater is a crucial source of water for California, especially for its $59 billion agriculture industry.
But even when the water is underground, Landsat satellites that observe the Earth’s land surface can still help growers monitor it.
In just one example of the benefits of monitoring, growers in a 100,000-acre area of California—an area about the size of Bakersfield—saw a 13% reduction in groundwater pumping in the first year of using information derived from Landsat and other sources. That resulted in savings of roughly \$40 million.
Supplies of groundwater for irrigation are more predictable than surface water, which can fluctuate with drought, but groundwater is not infinite. If too much groundwater is pumped out, wells can go dry and land can sink, leading to infrastructure issues. Monitoring groundwater use can help prevent problems like these.
Many types of crops grow in California, which supplies more than a third of the country’s vegetables and three-fourths of its fruits and nuts, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Using remote sensing data like Landsat to map crops field by field reveals how many acres are growing. That lets various commodity boards such as the Almond Board of California and the California Walnut Board estimate the volume of crop that’s available to market to the world. And using remote sensing to know how much water those crops are using helps growers optimize groundwater use, management and regulatory compliance.
“We are significant users of Landsat on a daily basis,” said Joel Kimmelshue, founding partner and principal soil and agricultural scientist at Land IQ.
The firm maps more than 50 California crops on 15 million producing acres of land with a very high (97+%) degree of accuracy. The company also provides monthly crop water consumption estimates, with Landsat and other satellite information as a fundamental starting point coupled with data-driven models. An extensive ground data collection system helps calibrate and validate the satellite results.
Background photo: This is an irrigated pistachio grove near Chowchilla, California. California produces most of the pistachios in the United States, with 488,000 acres in 2024. USDA photo taken November 9, 2018, by Lance Cheung.
Nearly 40 groundwater sustainability agencies and irrigation districts use these crop water use estimates, including the Mid-Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency (MKGSA) in the San Joaquin Valley.
Several years ago, MKGSA made the difficult decision to put restrictions on groundwater use in reaction to sustained drought and a new California state law. MKGSA needed a way to measure growers’ groundwater usage, but under a tight deadline, there wasn’t nearly enough time to install water meters to monitor 65,000 acres of irrigated cropland.
So MKGSA turned to Land IQ to estimate the total amount of water used by crops, which is based on evapotranspiration (ET), a combined loss of water through evaporation and plant transpiration.
MKGSA growers were initially given 2.5 acre-feet of groundwater per acre of land in 2022—enough to cover each acre with 2.5 feet of water—beyond precipitation or surface water that their crops also use. Every month, they can check their groundwater consumption for the previous month on a dashboard to see how their “water budget” is going and what they have left for the rest of the year. If they don’t use all their allocated groundwater in one year, the unused amount remains available for them in the future.
ABOVE: This panel of three images shows the same area of central California, near Tulare and Visalia southeast of Fresno, in July 2024. Left: A Landsat image, one of the satellite sources of information for mapping crops. Middle: A monthly map of crop types, which also includes wheat at a more muted fuchsia. Right: A monthly map of evapotranspiration, which ranges from red at no evapotranspiration through orange, yellow and green up to blue, with the highest level. This area of California has a number of dairies as well, which can be seen in some of the areas that do not have a color-coded crop type. The middle and right maps are courtesy of Land IQ.
According to Aaron Fukuda, interim general manager of the MKGSA and general manager of the Tulare Irrigation District, the shift to data-driven water management was essential. “Without the Land IQ data, farmers couldn’t plan. They were just doing what they used to do, what their grandfathers did, what their great-grandfathers did. And that wasn’t working. We were overdrafting the groundwater system. They had to make a change.”
“At the core of all of it is the ET data. Pull that out, and the heart of the system falls apart.” - Aaron Fukuda
MKGSA’s growers have four years of data to look back on now. In addition to keeping track of their water budgets, they can find the average of how much water is used by a certain tree crop, like almonds, or another perennial crop. “They’re fine-tuning their irrigation to get to the optimum yields based on water availability, yields and commodity pricing,” Fukuda said.
For growers of annual crops such as corn or wheat, once they know how many acre-feet of groundwater each crop type needs, they can plan out what to plant in each field based on how much water they have to “spend.”
MKGSA’s plan, a revision from an earlier plan rejected by the state, is paying off. In a comparison of two drought years—2021 to 2022—groundwater pumping went down 13%, saving 20,000 acre-feet of water and roughly \$40 million, based on a drought-year value of water at \$2,000 per acre-foot, Fukuda said. In other words, that’s 6.5 billion gallons, enough water to supply a city like Santa Barbara for more than a year and a half.
Plus, because the revised plan met the state’s requirements, MKGSA is being considered to avoid a “probation” period in which the state would take over the sustainability planning. That would cost growers tens of millions of dollars in fees annually, Fukuda said.
“Because we’ve implemented the allocation system, because we’re cutting back, we’re making the hard decisions; because we’re monitoring and we are showing results, we are hoping to avoid probation.”
One reason Landsat is so valuable to companies that produce crop and water maps—and to customers like the MKGSA and its growers—is because the data is publicly available at no cost, said Diya Chowdhury, Land IQ spatial sciences team lead. “That allows us to pass that cost savings down to our clients. There’s a limited budget, and it allows us to work within that.”
Chowdhury estimates that overall, the company includes Landsat data in 90 percent of its crop mapping and ET projects, which also include Arizona, Australia and Mexico.
Landsat’s annual value in 2023 was calculated to be \$25.6 billion for myriad uses, including the agriculture industry. Landsat is a partnership that began between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and NASA more than 50 years ago, by far the longest-running Earth observation satellite program in the world. The data are made available through the USGS.
Some of its projects need to look at imagery from decades ago. “Landsat is considered to be the industry standard due to the historical record of data,” Chowdhury said.
The two current satellites collect fresh imagery of every spot of land on Earth every eight days, which benefits mapping efforts. “It gives us a time series of data to work with,” she added. “We’re looking at crops, which is a dynamic system. You need to consider how things are evolving and changing over time.”
The company uses artificial intelligence (AI) methods—specifically machine learning—to be able to incorporate all of the remote sensing and ground data into its work.
Looking ahead, Landsat’s role is expected to grow as technology evolves.
AI methods will continue to be useful as plans for the next generation of Landsat satellites include even more remote sensing data. Landsat Next is expected to capture far more detail about features of the Earth’s surface than current Landsat satellites, including more information about crop conditions.
From pistachio groves to groundwater dashboards, Landsat data is helping transform how water is managed in the West—turning decades of Earth observation into daily decisions that protect both livelihoods and landscapes.
Disclaimer: This web page contains hypertext links to information created and maintained by other organizations. USGS is not responsible for the content of any off-site pages. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, processes, or services by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by the United States Government.
Learn more about Landsat.
Typically, we use Landsat data to study changes on the land—you know, Landsat. In this episode of Eyes on Earth, we learn how satellite images and pixels of water, along with actual water samples, are helpful in determining the productivity of lakes across the United States. We talk with Mendenhall Fellow and Research Geographer Dr.
Typically, we use Landsat data to study changes on the land—you know, Landsat. In this episode of Eyes on Earth, we learn how satellite images and pixels of water, along with actual water samples, are helpful in determining the productivity of lakes across the United States. We talk with Mendenhall Fellow and Research Geographer Dr.
Government officials and scientists had high hopes for Landsat when the first experimental satellite launched July 23, 1972. Those hopes were soon realized when imagery came back depicting features never before seen. Since then, an archive of imagery surpassing 10 million scenes has amassed at EROS, collected from eight different Landsat satellites.
Government officials and scientists had high hopes for Landsat when the first experimental satellite launched July 23, 1972. Those hopes were soon realized when imagery came back depicting features never before seen. Since then, an archive of imagery surpassing 10 million scenes has amassed at EROS, collected from eight different Landsat satellites.
50 years of teamwork. 50 years of innovation. 50 years of resilience. In 1966, Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall announced his vision to create a program aimed at gathering facts about the natural resources of the Earth from Earth orbiting satellites. It was a bold proclamation. It was also an idea that worked and continues to work 50 years on.
50 years of teamwork. 50 years of innovation. 50 years of resilience. In 1966, Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall announced his vision to create a program aimed at gathering facts about the natural resources of the Earth from Earth orbiting satellites. It was a bold proclamation. It was also an idea that worked and continues to work 50 years on.
The Great Lakes represent roughly 20% of the surface freshwater in the world and 90% in the United States. The Great Lakes Basin supports more than 30 million people in the U.S. and Canada and 3,500 plant and animal species. The region faces threats that range from climate change and invasive species to pollution and development.
The Great Lakes represent roughly 20% of the surface freshwater in the world and 90% in the United States. The Great Lakes Basin supports more than 30 million people in the U.S. and Canada and 3,500 plant and animal species. The region faces threats that range from climate change and invasive species to pollution and development.
The invasive species hemlock woolly adelgid is a threat to eastern hemlocks, filling some southeastern U.S. forests with what are called “gray ghosts” of the trees. Until recently, the insect had stayed in the southern part New York, but late last summer, an infestation was discovered in the Adirondacks.
The invasive species hemlock woolly adelgid is a threat to eastern hemlocks, filling some southeastern U.S. forests with what are called “gray ghosts” of the trees. Until recently, the insect had stayed in the southern part New York, but late last summer, an infestation was discovered in the Adirondacks.
USGS Hydrologist Molly Maupin and USGS Research Physical Scientist Gabriel Senay discuss how Landsat imagery has been used by the National Water Census and in studying water use trends.
USGS Hydrologist Molly Maupin and USGS Research Physical Scientist Gabriel Senay discuss how Landsat imagery has been used by the National Water Census and in studying water use trends.
Tom Loveland talks about using Landsat's data for land use and land cover change research.
Find this video and thousands more at https://usgs.gov/gallery.
Tom Loveland talks about using Landsat's data for land use and land cover change research.
Find this video and thousands more at https://usgs.gov/gallery.
Boston University Professor Curtis Woodcock talks about the significance Landsat was had in science and what he hopes to see as the mission continues.
Boston University Professor Curtis Woodcock talks about the significance Landsat was had in science and what he hopes to see as the mission continues.
Martha Anderson with the US Department of Agriculture talks about the value of Landsat and its thermal data in studying agricultural land.
Martha Anderson with the US Department of Agriculture talks about the value of Landsat and its thermal data in studying agricultural land.
John Schott with the Rochester Institute of Technology discusses using Landsat Data over the years, and how its Thermal data tracks temperature changes in water bodies.
John Schott with the Rochester Institute of Technology discusses using Landsat Data over the years, and how its Thermal data tracks temperature changes in water bodies.
Learn more about Landsat.
Typically, we use Landsat data to study changes on the land—you know, Landsat. In this episode of Eyes on Earth, we learn how satellite images and pixels of water, along with actual water samples, are helpful in determining the productivity of lakes across the United States. We talk with Mendenhall Fellow and Research Geographer Dr.
Typically, we use Landsat data to study changes on the land—you know, Landsat. In this episode of Eyes on Earth, we learn how satellite images and pixels of water, along with actual water samples, are helpful in determining the productivity of lakes across the United States. We talk with Mendenhall Fellow and Research Geographer Dr.
Government officials and scientists had high hopes for Landsat when the first experimental satellite launched July 23, 1972. Those hopes were soon realized when imagery came back depicting features never before seen. Since then, an archive of imagery surpassing 10 million scenes has amassed at EROS, collected from eight different Landsat satellites.
Government officials and scientists had high hopes for Landsat when the first experimental satellite launched July 23, 1972. Those hopes were soon realized when imagery came back depicting features never before seen. Since then, an archive of imagery surpassing 10 million scenes has amassed at EROS, collected from eight different Landsat satellites.
50 years of teamwork. 50 years of innovation. 50 years of resilience. In 1966, Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall announced his vision to create a program aimed at gathering facts about the natural resources of the Earth from Earth orbiting satellites. It was a bold proclamation. It was also an idea that worked and continues to work 50 years on.
50 years of teamwork. 50 years of innovation. 50 years of resilience. In 1966, Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall announced his vision to create a program aimed at gathering facts about the natural resources of the Earth from Earth orbiting satellites. It was a bold proclamation. It was also an idea that worked and continues to work 50 years on.
The Great Lakes represent roughly 20% of the surface freshwater in the world and 90% in the United States. The Great Lakes Basin supports more than 30 million people in the U.S. and Canada and 3,500 plant and animal species. The region faces threats that range from climate change and invasive species to pollution and development.
The Great Lakes represent roughly 20% of the surface freshwater in the world and 90% in the United States. The Great Lakes Basin supports more than 30 million people in the U.S. and Canada and 3,500 plant and animal species. The region faces threats that range from climate change and invasive species to pollution and development.
The invasive species hemlock woolly adelgid is a threat to eastern hemlocks, filling some southeastern U.S. forests with what are called “gray ghosts” of the trees. Until recently, the insect had stayed in the southern part New York, but late last summer, an infestation was discovered in the Adirondacks.
The invasive species hemlock woolly adelgid is a threat to eastern hemlocks, filling some southeastern U.S. forests with what are called “gray ghosts” of the trees. Until recently, the insect had stayed in the southern part New York, but late last summer, an infestation was discovered in the Adirondacks.
USGS Hydrologist Molly Maupin and USGS Research Physical Scientist Gabriel Senay discuss how Landsat imagery has been used by the National Water Census and in studying water use trends.
USGS Hydrologist Molly Maupin and USGS Research Physical Scientist Gabriel Senay discuss how Landsat imagery has been used by the National Water Census and in studying water use trends.
Tom Loveland talks about using Landsat's data for land use and land cover change research.
Find this video and thousands more at https://usgs.gov/gallery.
Tom Loveland talks about using Landsat's data for land use and land cover change research.
Find this video and thousands more at https://usgs.gov/gallery.
Boston University Professor Curtis Woodcock talks about the significance Landsat was had in science and what he hopes to see as the mission continues.
Boston University Professor Curtis Woodcock talks about the significance Landsat was had in science and what he hopes to see as the mission continues.
Martha Anderson with the US Department of Agriculture talks about the value of Landsat and its thermal data in studying agricultural land.
Martha Anderson with the US Department of Agriculture talks about the value of Landsat and its thermal data in studying agricultural land.
John Schott with the Rochester Institute of Technology discusses using Landsat Data over the years, and how its Thermal data tracks temperature changes in water bodies.
John Schott with the Rochester Institute of Technology discusses using Landsat Data over the years, and how its Thermal data tracks temperature changes in water bodies.
