Ground-water data, 1974-76, Indian Wells Valley, Kern, Inyo, and San Bernardino Counties, California

Water-level measurements were made annually in 115 wells in Indian Wells Valley, Kern, Inyo, and San Bernardino Counties, Calif., in 1974-76. In the Inyokern area the average water-level decline was 2.0 ft for two wells between October 1973 and November 1976. In the intermediate area the average decline was 6.2 ft for five wells between October 1973 and December 1976. In the Ridgecrest area the average decline was 4.5 ft for four wells between October 1973 and December 1976 but was 10.3 ft for one well during the same period. Reported metered ground-water pumpage from Indian Wells Valley totaled 14,400 acre-ft in 1974, 14,500 acre-ft in 1975, and 14,100 acre-ft in 1976. These figures may not completely reflect the total pumpage from the basin due to changing patterns of land use and new pumping sources. Chemical analyses were made of 102 water samples collected from 42 wells during 1974-76. The analyses show large variance of quality of ground water in Indian Wells Valley. (Woodard-USGS)