Across the United States, the ground beneath some of the nation’s largest cities is sinking—a phenomenon known as land subsidence. Recent scientific studies reveal that this is not just a natural process or a quirk of geology, but a growing crisis fueled by excessive groundwater extraction. From sprawling metropolises like Houston and Dallas to rural agricultural zones, communities are using groundwater at rates that far exceed nature’s ability to replenish it.
The implications are far-reaching. As the ground sinks, infrastructure becomes increasingly unstable, water resources become harder to manage, and ecosystems face long-term disruption. In many cases, the changes are irreversible.
The problem stems from the overuse of underground aquifers—natural reservoirs that store freshwater deep below the earth’s surface. When water is pumped from these aquifers faster than it can be naturally replaced through rainfall and surface water infiltration, the spaces once filled with water collapse. Over time, this causes the land above to compress and sink.
“Land subsidence resulting from excessive groundwater extraction is a challenge that not only affects urban infrastructures but also rural communities and agricultural operations. In regions where agriculture is intensive, the overuse of groundwater has led to significant land sinking, disrupting ecosystems and threatening the viability of farming practices,” shares Ranchbot CEO Andrew Coppin.
Subsidence is not just an abstract concern—it is a visible, measurable issue. Satellite data and ground-based surveys have documented subsidence rates in some regions exceeding several centimeters per year. In parts of the Central Valley in California, areas have sunk more than 30 feet over the past century. While California has long been at the forefront of the conversation due to its water-intensive agricultural industry, other regions are catching up fast.
In Texas, cities like Houston and Dallas are seeing alarming rates of land subsidence. Both cities rely heavily on groundwater for public utilities, industrial applications, and agricultural production. Decades of unchecked groundwater pumping have left these urban centers vulnerable to not just sinking ground, but also flooding, cracked foundations, damaged pipelines, and increased salinity intrusion into freshwater supplies.
Houston, for example, has experienced some of the highest rates of subsidence in the nation. Certain neighborhoods have sunk up to 10 feet over the last 100 years. The city’s vulnerability to hurricanes and heavy rainfall makes this issue particularly dangerous. As the ground sinks and elevation decreases, floodwaters have fewer places to drain, compounding the risk of disaster.
Meanwhile, Dallas, which sits atop the Trinity Aquifer, has seen significant land compression in suburban areas. With rapid population growth and ongoing development, the demand for groundwater continues to rise, putting added stress on aquifers already under pressure from decades of drawdown.
Beyond the cities, agricultural zones across the U.S. are also feeling the impact. Many farmers rely on groundwater to irrigate crops, especially during periods of drought. But as aquifers drop, the cost of pumping water increases—both financially and in terms of energy use. In some areas, wells have dried up entirely, forcing farms to shut down or switch to less water-intensive crops.
The long-term risks are grave. Land that has subsided cannot return to its original elevation. Once an aquifer compacts, it loses its ability to store water. This means future generations will inherit less groundwater storage capacity, even if water conservation practices improve.
Water scarcity is already emerging as one of the most urgent environmental challenges of the 21st century. Climate change, increasing temperatures, and prolonged droughts are exacerbating the situation. As surface water becomes less reliable, more regions are turning to groundwater—deepening the crisis.
Experts say addressing the issue will require a multi-pronged approach: stricter regulation of groundwater extraction, investment in water-efficient technologies, expansion of surface water capture systems, and a cultural shift toward sustainable water usage. Some states, like California, have already implemented groundwater management laws, but enforcement and implementation vary widely.
Without serious intervention, the combined forces of land subsidence and water scarcity could reshape the American landscape—physically, economically, and socially. And while the sinking may be slow, its consequences are rapidly gaining ground.