Chapter III 



PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM 



GROUND-WATER DEVELOPMENT 



AND USE 



The problems resulting from ground-water development, 

 by means of wells, are alike in one respect: there is not enough 

 usable water where it is wanted. The places where problems 

 have arisen, including those where a satisfactory solution has 

 subsequently been found, are so numerous and widely dis- 

 tributed that hardly a state is exempt. The occurrence of these 

 problems is not tied closely to the general adequacy of the 

 water supplies in the several states. Nevada, with the least pre- 

 cipitation and runoff of any state, has only one area (Las Vegas 

 Valley) where there are indications of overdevelopment. In 

 contrast, Louisiana has heavier precipitation than most states 

 and also flanks the Mississippi River, which carries one-third 

 of the total runoff from the country; yet there have been sev- 

 eral instances of failing ground-water supplies for municipali- 

 ties, and there is evidence that heavy pumping for rice irriga- 

 tion may eventually bring salt water into some wells. 



Problems resulting from ground-water development are 

 similar in many respects to those of city water systems. Some 

 are due to inadequacy of the ground-water reservoir to meet 

 the demands made upon it, which is analogous to the current 

 difficulties of New York City with its surface-water reservoirs. 

 Such reservoir problems are concerned with total water sup- 

 plies, and if a ground-water reservoir is not replenished in 

 sufficient quantity to meet the demand, the problem is one of 



real shortage of ground water. 



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