LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Geological Survey says groundwater levels in southwest Kansas declined at a slower pace in 2013 than in recent years.

The KGS also says increases in wells around south-central Kansas are largely attributed to above-average rainfall that reduced the demand for irrigation during the spring growing season.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports preliminary information shows that water tables in drought-stricken southwest Kansas dropped 2.31 feet last year. During each of the three previous years, water levels fell by more than 3 feet.

In northwest Kansas, water tables fell on average 0.76 feet last year, which is less than the 1.39 feet recorded after 2012.