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Science, Society, Solutions
Ground Water and Drought:  Tracking the Hidden Resource

Second in the 2002 "Science, Society, Solutions" series

Everyone is welcome to attend this briefing. Find out how ground-water monitoring is essential to achieve a complete picture of drought and the implications for this coming summer and fall.

Other Science, Society, Solutions Briefings

Directions to Longworth House Office Building:
Travel east on Rt. 66 over the Roosevelt Bridge; right on Independence Avenue. Follow Independence until you come to the Botanic Gardens, turn right at the Botanic Gardens on Canal Street. After three blocks, Canal Street merges into South Capitol Street. A $5.00 pay parking lot is on the right on South Capitol Street and under the Southeast Freeway. The Longworth House Office Building is located between South Capitol Street and C Street.

Drying rivers and lakes are visible effects of drought. Less obvious are falling water tables and effects on homeowner wells and on the reserve of ground water to sustain streamflow. Find out how ground-water monitoring is essential to achieve a complete picture of drought and the implications for this coming summer and fall.

James Gerhart

Mr. Gerhart is District Chief of the USGS Maryland-Delaware-District of Columbia District. He has a B.S. degree in Geology from Franklin and Marshall College and an M.S. degree in Hydrogeology from Penn State University. In his 25 years with the USGS, he has been a project chief of ground-water-flow modeling and nonpoint-source water-quality studies in Florida and Pennsylvania; a studies section chief in Maryland; and chief of the Potomac River Basin study unit of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program in Maryland. He has authored or co-authored more than 30 scientific reports and abstracts. Currently, as District Chief, he oversees 100 scientists, technicians, and support staff in the conduct of hydrologic data collection and hydrologic investigations in Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia.

Arthur Cleaves

Arthur W. Cleaves has a Bachelors Degree from the University of Maine System. He joined the Maine Army National Guard in 1964 and rose through the ranks until he reached the rank of Colonel. He has completed the Command and General Staff College and the Joint Planning Course. After a long and distinguished career, he was Honorably Discharged in 1999. In September, 1999, he took over as Director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency. He resides in Wayne, Maine with his wife Connie. He has a son, Matthew, and a daughter, Rachael. His hobbies include Fly fishing, hunting, boating, fly tying (instructor) and recreational running (has completed 4 marathons).

Stuart Gansell

Mr. Gansell is the Director of the Bureau of Watershed Management with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. He is responsible for a number of the Department´s watershed resource management and water quality protection programs. In addition, Mr. Gansell serves as the Commonwealth Drought Coordinator. He is a graduate of Lafayette College, a registered professional engineer, a registered professional land surveyor, and is a certified operator of wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities.

For more information about ground water and drought, please contact William M. Alley, USGS, Chief, Office of Ground Water.
For more information about this topic or the briefing series, please contact the USGS Office of Communications.