Water levels were measured in about 500 wells in the Mississippi River valley alluvial aquifer in northwestern Mississippi during September 13-24, 1982. The water-level change from September 1981 to September 1982 showed some recovery, but the depth-to-water map showed areas of continual water-level decline in the central part of the Delta. Water levels in the Delta were higher along the Mississippi River and Bluff Hills and Yazoo River. Historically, water levels decline and rise as the amount of precipitation decreases or increases. Recently, continuous heavy pumping for irrigation has caused general water-level declines in the alluvial aquifer. (USGS)