Sinking land

Farmer Charlie Pitigliano with a row of wine grapes, the last of a vineyard planted by his grandfather.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Ground has subsided near the Delta-Mendota Canal and resulted in cracked concrete.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

A second walkway over the Delta-Mendota Canal was added after the bridge and canal sank along with surrounding land.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

USGS hydrologist Michelle Sneed checks monitoring data on the Delta-Mendota Canal near Los Banos.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

USGS hydrologist Michelle Sneed shuts the door of a shed after checking monitoring data on the Delta-Mendota Canal.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)