New & Noteworthy

Press Release: Study Explores Groundwater and Geothermal Energy in Drought-Stricken Eastern Oregon and Neighboring States

Technical Announcement: USGS Issues Revised Framework for Hydrogeology of Floridan Aquifer

Press Release: High Plains Aquifer Groundwater Levels Continue to Decline

Regional Groundwater Availability Study Geospatial Data

Press Release: USGS Assesses Current Groundwater-Quality Conditions in the Williston Basin Oil Production Area

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USGS Groundwater Watch

USGS maintains a network of active wells to provide basic statistics about groundwater levels.

Other Water Topics

 Water Resources

 Groundwater

 Surface Water

 Water Quality

 Water Use

USGS in Your State

USGS Water Science Centers are located in each state.

Contents | Introduction | Importance of Ground Water to the Nation | Evolving Ground-Water Issues and USGS Programs | Relationship of GWRP to Other USGS Programs | Current Activities of the GWRP | Future Priorities for the GWRP | Concluding Remarks |

STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FOR THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GROUND-WATER RESOURCES PROGRAM

A Report to Congress

November 30, 1998

CONCLUDING REMARKS

“The USGS has been investigating water resources for more than 100 years. Thus, it has developed a broad picture of the nation’s water supplies.”

From: National Research Council, 1991, Preparing for the Twenty-First Century--A Report to the USGS Water Resources Division: National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., p. 16.

Ground water is critical to many current and future needs of the Nation. Not only are the 130 million residents who drink ground water concerned about this precious resource, but everyone has a stake in ground water because of its role in the hydrologic cycle. Better understanding of ground-water systems on a regional and national basis is necessary for water managers to know what actions are needed to ensure the future sustainability of the Nation's aquifers and to help national water policy focus on the most pressing issues. Current activities of the Ground-Water Resources Program serve as prototypes for possible new directions of the program. Past, present, and potential future activities of the Ground-Water Resources Program are summarized in Table 1.

The USGS continues to provide unbiased, scientifically sound data and assessments to assist managers and policymakers to address the Nation's most critical ground-water issues. Through its expertise in hydrology, biology, geology, and mapping, the USGS is uniquely qualified to address ground-water resources in a fully integrated manner. The National Research Council (NRC) is currently examining USGS ground-water programs and has been asked to review the program plans that are briefly described here.