Estimating Agricultural Groundwater Withdrawals with Energy Data

Agricultural water use is the leading cause of groundwater overdraft in California. However, agencies tasked with managing resources do not have access to accurate and reliable measurements extraction. Previous studies identified a relationship between pump energy consumption extraction indicated that efficiency lift method (ELM) can produce estimates if based on data. Recent advances availability electricity operating condition data made ELM viable for estimating large-scale This study considered feasibility using estimate extractions from both individual wells larger areas best sources available such estimates. Researchers found mean error rates 5% at well level 3.3% collections when most specific available, as test reports spatial datasets. research suggests reasonable approach large scale.