GROUNDWATER STATUS IN LOUISIANA

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GROUNDWATER STATUS IN LOUISIANA

• prepared by theU.S. Geological Survey
• and the
• LA DOTD, Water Resources Section
• January 30, 2002

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THE HYDROLOGIC CYCLE
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What is Groundwater?

• Any water beneath the ground surface.

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What is an Aquifer?

• A water-bearing stratum of sand and gravel that
  yields significant quantities of water to wells.

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TYPES OF AQUIFERS

• Confined - aquifers that are confined by
  overlying and underlying relatively impermeable
  formations (clay) that restrict water movement
  into or out of an aquifer. Occur at depth.
• Unconfined - aquifers in which the water is not
  confined by low permeability units. Usually the
  water table forms the upper boundary. Occur near
  land surface.

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Idealized cross-section showing aquifers in the
Baton Rouge area.
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Surface extent of Louisianas aquifers and
aquifer systems
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PROBLEMS/CONCERNS

• Ground-water withdrawals are lowering water
  levels in Louisiana aquifers.
• In certain areas, these withdrawals are creating
  conditions favorable for saltwater encroachment.
• Aquifers of concern are the Sparta, Chicot, and
  Southern Hills aquifer systems.

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Idealized cross-section showing aquifers in the
Baton Rouge area.
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Freshwater Extent of the Sparta Aquifer in
Louisiana
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Water-level decline in the Sparta aquifer in
northern Louisiana during the period 1990 to
2000, based on data from USGS/DOTDwater-level
networks.
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Water levels show long-term declines and seasonal
fluctuations at 3 wells screened in the Chicot
aquifer system in southwestern Louisiana,
1940-2000.
Sabine River Diversion Canal is completed in 1982
and results in less ground-water pumpage and
water-level rebound
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Water-level decline in the Chicot aquifer system
during the period 1990 to 2000, based on data
from the USGS/DOTD water-level network.
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PUMPAGE CENTERS IN THE SOUTHERN HILLS AQUIFER
SYSTEM, 1995
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No data
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Thank you for your attention.DOTD Water
Resources Web Page Addresshttp//www2.dotd.stat
e.la.us/wells/intro.htmlTel. (225)
379-1434Fax. [phone]BoBolourchi_at_dotd.stat
e.la.us
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Water-level decline in the Southern Hills aquifer
system in southeastern Louisiana during the
period 1990 to 2000, based on data from
USGS/DOTD/CAGWCC water-level networks.