HARRISONBURG VA: (ROCKTOWN NOW) — In a welcome turn of events for both residents and the agricultural community, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has reported a nearly two-foot rise in the water table across Rockingham County over the past three weeks. This substantial increase is attributed to a series of sustained and generous rainfalls that have replenished groundwater reserves and dramatically improved soil moisture conditions. According to hydrologists, the current water table now sits above the ten-year average for the central Shenandoah Valley, marking a significant recovery from the drought conditions that plagued the region last summer. At that time, groundwater levels had dipped to near-record lows, prompting water restrictions and raising concerns about crop viability.

This spring’s rainfall has not only recharged aquifers but also brought much-needed relief to farmers. Local agricultural reports indicate that topsoil moisture is now rated as “adequate” to “surplus” in many areas, a stark contrast to the dry, cracked fields of 2024. This improvement is expected to boost early crop yields, particularly for corn, soybeans, and hay, which are staples of the region’s farming economy.