When ranchers take water from a river, does it have an effect on local wells?

Question

Local citizens are being asked to cut back on water usage, but ranches seem unaffected. In fact, it appears to be the families of local ranchers who are spearheading the water conservation issue, which is probably a good thing, but ranches continue to water indiscriminately.

Answer 1

Farmers and ranchers need to water their crops and livestock. That is the rules of agriculture.

As for the effects on local wells when taking water from a river; two things happen. First, the demands put on the local wells are usually lessened. There is less need to draw water from the wells. The second thing that happens is there is less water in the river to replenish the aquifer that supplies the well. Basically, it is a null event; unless the wells are still being used heavily to get more water to the livestock and crops.

Answer 2

Water taken from a river by nearby ranchers is not likely to affect your local wells, except perhaps to increase your water table slightly. The water which supplies your wells likely comes from an aquifer, and trickles down into the aquifer some distance away, as well as being supplied somewhat by local rain. If you examine the issue a little closer, I think you will find that farmers and ranchers are quite discriminating in their use of water.