How does human activity, like irrigation, impact groundwater levels?

Question

It doesn’t affect groundwater because irrigation uses surface water only.
It can lower groundwater levels by removing water faster than it is replenished.
It causes groundwater to rise, flooding nearby farms.
It increases groundwater levels by bringing water from rivers underground.

Answer 1

Human activity, like irrigation, primarily impacts groundwater levels by lowering groundwater levels by removing water faster than it is replenished. When irrigation is deployed, it often relies on groundwater for its water supply, particularly in areas where surface water is limited. If the rate of water extraction exceeds the natural recharge rate of the aquifer, it can lead to a decline in groundwater levels. This can result in various consequences, such as decreased water availability for other uses, land subsidence, and negative impacts on ecosystems that depend on stable groundwater levels.