Water extraction patterns of Pima S7 and Acala Maxxa were compared in order to identify any gross differences in water uptake patterns that may necessitate the development of alternative irrigation guidelines for this relatively new San Joaquin Valley cotton type. Substantial water extraction by Acala and Pima cotton occurred at depths to 8 feet (2.4 meters), for irrigation treatments below optimum levels. Under this high water stress regime, average water extraction between the 6 and 8-foot depths was 9 percent for Pima S7 and 14 percent for Acala Maxxa during the three years of study. Irrigation treatments that optimized yield experienced water extraction values above 20 percent to the four-foot depth under Acala Maxxa and five-foot depth under Pima S7, also indicating a preference for Pima to take up water from more shallow depths. Generally, Acala Maxxa also proved to be more capable of extracting deep soil water compared to Pima S7 for severely drought impacted treatments. Despite the Acala’s ability to forage successfully for deep soil water, these studies demonstrate that yield optimization in Maxxa must include more frequent irrigation and less cumulative water stress compared to Pima S7.