Water Resources Investigations Mission and Organization The U.S. Geological Survey has the major responsibility within the Federal Government for assessing the Nation's water resources. It collects basic data and conducts special investigations to provide background information for planners and managers. Demands for water from a wide variety of users increasingly require that planners at Federal, State, and local levels establish priorities for use. Sound judgment in determining such priorities depends on access to accurate hydrologic information and impartial expertise. The increasing pressures associated with developing energy resources in environmentally sound ways are enlarging demands for hydrologic data. Water is an integral element in all energy and environmental problems. Programs Water Resources Division programs fall into four categories: the Federal Program, the FederalState Cooperative Program, Assistance to Other Federal Agencies, and the Non-Federal Reimbursable Program. THE FEDERAL PROGRAM The data collection, resource investigation, and THE FEDERAL-STATE COOPERATIVE The Cooperative Program is based on the concept that Federal, State, and local governments have a mutual interest in evaluating, planning, developing, and managing the Nation's water resources. The immense size of the task of appraising the Nation's water resources precludes accomplishment by Federal efforts only. Similarly, State and local agencies working independently cannot relate to the sizable regional aspects of the hydrologic system. Cooperation through this Program, under which the Survey matches funds provided by State agencies, provides an economical and comprehensive system for assessing water resources. Many water problems begin at the local level. Recognizing this, the Survey has cooperative agreements with all States under which each party funds one-half the cost of financing studies of water resources. Most projects under the Cooperative Program respond to a recognized problem or define a potential one. In addition to data collection, programs may focus on water use and availability, the impact of man's activities on the hydrologic environment, and energy-related water demands. which may strain available water supplies. In emergency situations, such as drought or flood, events are monitored, and the data accumulated under the Cooperative Program prove invaluable. ASSISTANCE TO OTHER FEDERAL With funds transferred from other Federal agencies, the Geological Survey performs work related to the specific needs of each agency. Examples of work done in cooperation with several of these agencies are as follows: Department of Agriculture Hydrologic studies on small watersheds, sediment studies, stream discharge and quality. Department of Defense - Corps of Engineers Tidal flows in estuaries, subsidence studies, streamflow data, ground-water studies, sedimentation and water-quality studies. Department of Energy Hydrologic and water-supply exploration studies at nuclear-explosion sites and at both operating and potential nuclear-waste sites, research in field of radiohydrology related to interaction between radioactive materials and various geohydrologic environments, both above and below ground; hydrologic modeling. Department of Housing and Urban Development Flood-plain delineation, flood profiles, floodfrequency studies related to flood-insurance programs. Department of the Interior: Hydrologic data collection, water resources ap- Location of principal offices of the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Resources Division in the conterminous United States. Cities named are those where Regional and District Offices are located. Puerto Rico is included in the Southeastern Region, and Alaska and Hawaii are included in the Western Region. Bureau of Land Management Collection of hydrologic data, water-supply Bureau of Mines Collection of hydrologic data, hydrologic Bureau of Reclamation Collection of hydrologic data, ground-water Fish and Wildlife Service Collection of hydrologic data, ground-water National Park Service Collection of hydrologic data, water-resources NON-FEDERAL REIMBURSABLE Non-Federal reimbursable funds are unmatched funds received by the Geological Survey from State and local agencies in situations where there is both Federal and State interest in investigation of water resources but where matching Federal funds are either unavailable or are not otherwise applicable to cost sharing. Office of Water Data A major responsibility was assigned to the Survey in 1964 when it was designated the lead agency for coordinating water-data acquisition activities of all Federal agencies; activities include those that produce information on streams, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, and ground water. This coordination effort minimizes duplication of data collection among Federal agencies and strengthens the data base and its accessibility. Budget and Personnel At the end of fiscal year 1981, the Water Resources Division employed 2,790 full-time personnel. This number included scientists and engineers representing all fields of hydrology and related sciences, technical specialists, and administrative, secretarial, and clerical employees. An additional 1,874 permanent part-time and intermittent employees assisted in the work of the Division. The $194.0 million obligated in 1981 for water resources investigation activities came from the following sources: 1. Direct Congressional appropriations. 2. Congressional, State, and local appropriations for 50-50 funding in the Federal-State Cooperative Program. 3. Funds transferred from other Federal agencies. 4. Funds transferred from State and local agen 9 5.7 6.0 2.0 2.0 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.5 Flood Hazards Analysis 5 |