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Scientific Investigations Report 2008–5003
National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Estimated Withdrawals from Stream-Valley Aquifers and Refined Estimated Withdrawals from Selected Aquifers in the United States, 2000
By Pierre Sargent, Molly A. Maupin, and Stephen R. Hinkle
Abstract
The U.S. Geological Survey National Water Use Information
Program compiles estimates of fresh ground-water withdrawals in the
United States on a 5-year interval. In the year-2000 compilation, withdrawals
were reported from principal aquifers and aquifer systems including
two general aquifers—Alluvial and Other aquifers.
Withdrawals from a widespread aquifer group—stream-valley aquifers—were
not specifically identified in the year-2000 compilation, but they are
important sources of ground water. Stream-valley aquifers are alluvial
aquifers located in the valley of major streams and rivers. Stream-valley
aquifers are long but narrow aquifers that are in direct hydraulic connection
with associated streams and limited in extent compared to most principal
aquifers.
Based in large part on information published in U.S.
Geological Survey reports, preliminary analysis of withdrawal data and
hydrogeologic and surface-water information indicated areas in the United
States where possible stream-valley aquifers were located. Further assessment
focused on 24 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Withdrawals
reported from Alluvial aquifers in 16 states and withdrawals
reported from Other aquifers in 6 states and the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico were investigated. Two additional States—Arkansas and
New Jersey—were investigated because withdrawals reported from other
principal aquifers in these two States may be from stream-valley aquifers.
Withdrawals from stream-valley aquifers were identified
in 20 States and were about 1,560 Mgal/d (million gallons per day),
a rate comparable to withdrawals from the 10 most productive principal
aquifers in the United States. Of the 1,560 Mgal/d of withdrawals attributed
to stream-valley aquifers, 1,240 Mgal/d were disaggregated from Alluvial aquifers, 150 Mgal/d from glacial sand and gravel aquifers, 116 Mgal/d
from Other aquifers, 28.1 Mgal/d from Pennsylvanian aquifers,
and 24.9 Mgal/d from the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer.
Five States, including Colorado (552 Mgal/d), Kansas (384 Mgal/d), Oklahoma
(126 Mgal/d), Kentucky (102 Mgal/d), and Ohio (100 Mgal/d), accounted
for 81 percent of estimated stream-valley aquifer withdrawals identified
in this report. Of the total withdrawals from stream-valley aquifers,
about 63 percent (984 Mgal/d) were used for irrigation, 26 percent (400
Mgal/d) for public-supply, and 11 percent (177 Mgal/d) for self-supplied industrial uses. The largest
estimated water withdrawals were from stream-valley aquifers associated
with the South Platte (404 Mgal/d), Arkansas (395 Mgal/d), and Ohio
(221 Mgal/d) Rivers.
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Version 1.0
Posted July 2008
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Suggested citation:
Sargent, B.P., Maupin, M.A., and Hinkle, S.R., 2008, Estimated withdrawals from stream-valley aquifers and refined estimated withdrawals from selected aquifers in the United States, 2000: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2008–5003, 71 p.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Abstract
Introduction
Background
Purpose and Scope
Description of Study Area
Aquifer Terminology
Approach and Estimation Methods
Summary of Refined Estimated Withdrawals from Selected Aquifers
in the United States, 2000
Estimated Withdrawals from Stream-Valley Aquifers
States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
West Virginia
Wyoming
Water-Resources Regions
Arkansas-White-Red Region
Mid-Atlantic Region
Missouri Region
Ohio Region
Tennessee Region
Texas-Gulf Region
Upper Colorado Region
Upper Mississippi Region
Summary
References Cited
Appendixes
1. Sources of water-use and related information and methods
of analysis, by state
2. Estimated withdrawals for irrigation, public-supply, and
self-supplied industrial
uses from principal and Other aquifers in 24 States and the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, 2000
3. Estimated withdrawals for irrigation, public-supply, and
self-supplied industrial
uses for aquifers and aquifer units disaggregated from withdrawals from Alluvial
aquifers north of the extent of Quaternary continental glaciation in North Dakota,
2000