HALSTEAD, Kan. — Underground water levels remain steady despite heavy irrigation in central Kansas.

Tim Boese with the Equus Beds Ground Water Management District says the latest quarterly measurements show a slight decline between one and six inches. Boese says the numbers show that the underground water table is doing well as the summer pumping season gets into high gear.

The area of biggest concern remains the water table in and around Pretty Prairie which saw the largest decline in the system. The area has been watched by the GWMD because of over use of the aquifer in that area. Boese says they are currently looking at options for dealing with the decline. He says that the board is not giving any consideration to readjusting existing permits, but they are looking to watch future development and what that could mean to the aquifer.

The GWMD measures 500 wells every three months to gauge the water depth of the aquifer. The next measurements will be taken in October.

Boese says if we get some good rains this fall, the numbers should continue to look good.