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B. Pierre Sargent

Publications and source records attributed to B. Pierre Sargent.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) water-use websites

Explore U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) water-use websites to learn how and where the Nation's water use has changed over time! Learn how to find and access USGS water-use data shown in maps, graphs, visualizations, and information products. Gain a better understanding of water-use terms and USGS educational resources. Learn how to find and use USGS visualizations to see how water use has changed in each State, and explore county water withdrawals during 2015 to see which areas withdrew the most or least water.

Fact Sheet

Water use in Louisiana, 2015

In 2015, approximately 8,720 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) of water was withdrawn from groundwater and surface-water sources in Louisiana, a 2.6 percent increase from 2010. Total groundwater withdrawals were about 1,750 Mgal/d, an increase of 12 percent from 2010, and total surface-water withdrawals were about 6,970 Mgal/d, an increase of 0.44 percent from 2010 to 2015. Total water withdrawals, in Mgal/d, in 2015 for the various categories of use were as follows: public supply—715, industry—2,155, power generation—4,265, rural domestic—39, livestock—6, rice irrigation—825, general irrigation—225, and aquaculture—490. From 2010 to 2015, Louisiana’s total withdrawals for public supply decreased by 3.4 percent, industry increased by 5.7 percent, power generation decreased by 3.9 percent, rural domestic decreased by 4.1 percent, livestock decreased by 21 percent, rice irrigation increased by 20 percent, general irrigation decreased by 6.0 percent, and aquaculture increased by 58 percent. About 48 percent (approximately 850 Mgal/d) of all groundwater withdrawn was from the Chicot aquifer system and 22 percent (approximately 385 Mgal/d) was withdrawn from the Mississippi River alluvial aquifer. Since 2010, withdrawals from the Chicot aquifer system increased by 30 percent and withdrawals from the Mississippi River alluvial aquifer decreased by 2.9 percent. About 70 percent (4,905 Mgal/d) of all surface water withdrawn was from the Mississippi River mainstem. This value represents a 1.1-percent decrease in withdrawals from 2010 to 2015. All water-withdrawal and water-use data presented in this report should be considered estimates. Because of rounding, totals and percentages presented in the tables, figures, and text in the report may differ slightly from totals or percentages calculated individually

Louisiana

User’s Manual for the National Water Information System of the U.S. Geological Survey: Aggregate Water-Use Data System, Version 3.2

The Aggregate Water-Use Data System (AWUDS) is the database management system used to enter, store, and analyze state aggregate water-use data. It is part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System. AWUDS has a graphical user interface that facilitates data entry, revision, review, and approval. This document provides information on the basic functions of AWUDS and the steps for carrying out common tasks that are a part of compiling an aggregated dataset. Also included are explanations of terminology and descriptions of user-interface structure, procedures for using the AWUDS operations, and dataset-naming conventions. Information on water-use category definitions, data-collection methods, and data sources are found in the report “Guidelines for preparation of State water-use estimates,” available at https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ofr20171029 .

Open-File Report

Water Use in Louisiana, 2010

In 2010, approximately 8,500 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) of water was withdrawn from groundwater and surface-water sources in Louisiana. Total groundwater withdrawals were about 1,600 Mgal/d, and total surfacewater withdrawals were about 7,000 Mgal/d. From 2005 to 2010, groundwater withdrawals in Louisiana increased by 1.8 percent, and surface-water withdrawals decreased by 19 percent. Total water withdrawals in Louisiana decreased by 17 percent from 2005 to 2010. Water withdrawal totals in Mgal/d in 2010 for various categories of use were as follows: public supply-750, industry-2,100, power generation-4,400, rural domestic-41, livestock-8.0, rice irrigation-690, general irrigation-240, and aquaculture-300. From 2005 to 2010, changes in withdrawals, in percent, for the categories of use were as follows: public supply increased by 3.7, industry decreased by 33, power generation decreased by 14, rural domestic decreased by 6.1, livestock was unchanged, rice irrigation decreased by 13, general irrigation increased by 17, and aquaculture increased by 12. Forty-one percent (about 650 Mgal/d) of all groundwater was withdrawn from the Chicot aquifer system, and 25 percent (about 390 Mgal/d) was withdrawn from the Mississippi River alluvial aquifer. Since 2005, withdrawals from the Chicot aquifer system decreased by 2.1 percent, and withdrawals from the Mississippi River alluvial aquifer increased by 2.7 percent. About 72 percent (5,000 Mgal/d) of all surface water withdrawn was from the Mississippi River mainstem. This value represents a 24 percent decrease in withdrawals from 2005 to 2010.

Louisiana

Estimated Withdrawals from Stream-Valley Aquifers and Refined Estimated Withdrawals from Selected Aquifers in the United States, 2000

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.

Scientific Investigations Report