Kingman officials report significant water deficit in Hualapai Valley groundwater basin

The Mohave County Board of Supervisors convened on June 16, 2025, to discuss critical updates regarding groundwater management in the Hualapai Basin. The meeting highlighted significant findings from recent observations and studies, particularly concerning agricultural water usage and the implications for local water resources.

The session began with acknowledgments of contributions from the City of Kingman and the Development Services team, particularly John Ortman, who presented findings from drone observations of the Hualapai Basin aquifer. The data revealed that a total of 16,505 acres are currently being cultivated across three sub-basins: Southern Gregg, Hualapai, and Kingman. Notably, the Kingman Subbasin showed a concerning increase of 6,800 acres in cultivation since 2019, raising alarms about water sustainability in the area where Kingman sources its water.

The presentation included comparisons to previous reports, indicating a total agricultural water demand of approximately 44,252 acre-feet, a significant increase from earlier estimates. The board noted that the current deficit in the aquifer stands at about 50,474 acre-feet annually, equating to over 16 billion gallons of water not being replenished each year. This deficit poses a serious challenge for future water management, especially as agricultural use reportedly consumes three times more water than domestic use in the city.

Discussion among board members emphasized the urgency of managing this depletion. Supervisor Martin raised concerns about the implications of the deficit for future water availability, questioning when Kingman might face water shortages. While officials could not provide a definitive timeline, they stressed the importance of ongoing monitoring and data collection to inform future decisions.

The meeting also addressed the need for infrastructure improvements, including the installation of monitoring wells to enhance data accuracy regarding water levels and usage. The board expressed commitment to developing infiltration projects to help recharge the aquifer and mitigate the deficit.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the critical state of water resources in the Hualapai Basin, with officials acknowledging the need for collaborative efforts among local agencies, including the USGS and the City of Kingman, to develop effective management strategies. The board plans to continue monitoring the situation closely and explore solutions to ensure sustainable water use in the region.