Currently, there is no definite answer regarding how much water is available for America's use. To help address this issue, the President's FY 2009 budget proposes to increase USGS funding by $9.5 million to assess the availability and use of our nation's water resources. USGS scientists will characterize current water availability; how streamflows, groundwater and basin storage are changing over time; and the amount of water that will be accessible for America's future. Funding will also support improving aquifer maps and refining the rates of aquifer recharge, as well as reinstating 50 discontinued streamgages and upgrading 350 streamgages to allow for better management during floods and droughts. This research will help managers ensure a reliable water supply, while balancing human and ecological needs for this limited resource. A pilot study on water availability and use was conducted by the USGS in the Great Lakes Basin, and additional information on this study can be found at
http://water.usgs.gov/wateravailability/greatlakes/
. For more information, call Jennifer LaVista at (703) 648-4432 or
jlavista@usgs.gov
.
