A threat to water table

Baker, Nev., could experience serious changes. "It shows that after 10 or so years of pumping in the carbonate aquifer (deeper aquifer) the water levels would decline by over 200 feet, and about 150 feet in the basin-fill aquifer."

Another important effect is on biology. When springs go dry or have reduced flow, it could further endanger species of concern such as the least chub, spotted frog, snails and the Lake Bonneville cutthroat trout.

If these already-scarce animals are likely to be impacted, he said, "all kinds of extra federal regulation might come in."

To better understand the situation, the Utah Geological Survey is soon to begin constructing a series of groundwater monitoring wells in a project costing $2 million to $3 million in state money, Hurlow said. Some may be as deep as test wells drilled by SNWA, 1,700 feet. Eight wells paralleling the border are to be drilled soon.

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