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Why is Groundwater Important?. Drinking water for nearly 50% of US 98% of rural domestic supplies 35% of public supplies 42% of irrigation for agriculture Sustains flow of streams and rivers Maintains aquatic ecosystems. What Is Groundwater?. Contribution to Streamflow. GW. Runoff.
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Why is Groundwater Important? • Drinking water for nearly 50% of US • 98% of rural domestic supplies • 35% of public supplies • 42% of irrigation for agriculture • Sustains flow of streams and rivers • Maintains aquatic ecosystems
Contribution to Streamflow GW Runoff GW 54 Streams Range 14-90% • Average 52% • Geology • Physiography • Climate Runoff GW
Why Measure Water Levels? “You can’t manage what you don’t measure” • Water level in a well is an indirect measure of the amount of water in the aquifer. • Principal source of information on the hydrologic stress on the aquifer • Provides the data necessary to • evaluate changes in the resource over time • develop models and forecast trends, and • design, implement, and monitor the effectiveness of groundwater management programs
Groundwater Networks http://groundwaterwatch.usgs.gov/
GWRP Regional GW Availability • Quantify current groundwater resources • Evaluate how these resources have changed over time • Provide tools to forecast system responses to stresses from future human and environmental uses. 11
Principal Aquifers of the US Selected Priority Aquifers Regional Groundwater Availability Studies