An analysis by this newspaper shows a dramatic jump in well construction in seven San Joaquin Valley counties in 2013, with an even sharper increase this year {2014 March} as Gov. Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency:

• In the first month and a half of this year, Fresno County issued 124 new well permits, and Tulare County approved 182 -- a pace that is triple and double, respectively, the previous year.
• In Kern County, cotton king J.C. Boswell Farms drilled five ultra-deep 2,500-foot wells last year. Each one is as deep as two Empire State Buildings, stacked underground.
• A Chowchilla-based farm in Madera County has ordered 25 new wells for construction this year; a drill rig is likely to stay on that property all year.
• Stanislaus County issued nearly 150 drilling permits, with 100 for large wells, in fall 2013 -- compared with 35 well permits issued in fall 2012, with four large wells.