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Dan J. Tomaszewski

Publications and source records attributed to Dan J. Tomaszewski.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Water resources of West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana

Information concerning the availability, use, and quality of water in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, is critical for proper water-supply management. The purpose of this fact sheet is to present information that can be used by water managers, parish residents, and others for stewardship of this vital resource. Information on the availability, past and current use, use trends, and water quality from groundwater and surface-water sources in the parish is discussed. Previously published reports and data stored in the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Water Information System ( http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis ) are the primary sources of the information presented here.

Louisiana

Water-level surface in the Chicot equivalent aquifer system in southeastern Louisiana, 2009

The Chicot equivalent aquifer system is an important source of freshwater in southeastern Louisiana. In 2005, about 47 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) were withdrawn from the Chicot equivalent aquifer system in East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, Tangipahoa, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Washington, and West Feliciana Parishes. Concentrated withdrawals exceeded 5 Mgal/d in Bogalusa, the city of Baton Rouge, and in northwestern East Baton Rouge Parish. In the study area, about 30,000 wells screened in the Chicot equivalent aquifer system were registered with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD). These wells were constructed for public-supply, industry, irrigation, and domestic uses. Most of the wells were registered as domestic-use wells and are small-diameter, low-yielding wells. Total withdrawal from the Chicot equivalent aquifer system for domestic use was estimated to be 12 Mgal/d in 2005. This report documents the 2009 water-level surface of the Chicot equivalent aquifer system in southeastern Louisiana. The report also shows differences in water-level measurements for the years 1991 and 2009 at selected sites. Understanding changes and trends in water levels is important for continued use, planning, and management of groundwater resources. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, conducted this study of the water-level surface of the Chicot equivalent aquifer system as part of an ongoing effort to monitor groundwater levels in aquifers in Louisiana.

Louisiana

Water Resources of Ouachita Parish

Ouachita Parish, located in north-central Louisiana, contains fresh groundwater and surface-water resources. In 2005, about 152 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) were withdrawn from water sources in Ouachita Parish. About 84 percent (128 Mgal/d) was withdrawn from surface water, and 16 percent (24 Mgal/d) was withdrawn from groundwater. Power generation (87 Mgal/d) accounted for 58 percent of the total water withdrawn. Withdrawals for other uses included public supply (22 Mgal/d), industrial (24 Mgal/d), and irrigation (18 Mgal/d). This fact sheet summarizes basic information on the water resources of Ouachita Parish, La. Information on groundwater and surface-water availability, quality, development, use, and trends is based on previously published reports.

Fact Sheet

Effects of Hurricane Katrina’s storm surge on the quality of shallow aquifers near the northern shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain, southeastern Louisiana

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) sampled 13 wells on the northern shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain to determine the effect of Hurricane Katrina-induced storm surge water on the shallow groundwater resources. Surge water entering damaged wells did not contaminate the entire aquifer; however, contamination did occur locally at well sites. Because the storm surge from Katrina lasted only a few hours, surge water entering the aquifer will probably have only a short-term effect.

Louisiana

Water withdrawals and trends in ground-water levels and stream discharge in Louisiana

In 2000, approximately 10,400 mgal/ d (million gallons per day) of water was withdrawn from ground - and surface- water sources in Louisiana , an increase of 10 percent from 1990. In 2000, about 16 percent (1,600 Mgal/ d ) of the water withdrawn was ground water . Approximately 93 percent of the ground water withdrawn was from four aquifers or aquifer systems: the Chicot aquifer system (49 percent), the Mississippi River alluvial aquifer (22 percent), the Sparta aquifer (4 percent), and the Southern Hills aquifer system (18 percent). Three of these, the Chicot aquifer system, the Sparta aquifer, and the Southern Hills aquifer system, contain areas where declines in ground - water levels from 1990-2000 are 1 ft/yr (foot per year) or greater. The Chicot aquifer system in southwestern Louisiana is the most heavily pumped aquifer or aquifer system in the State. By 2000, water levels in areas of Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, and Acadia Parishes had declined to 50 feet or more below sea level. Water levels in areas of largest withdrawals declined as much as 1.7 ft/yr during the period 1990-2000. The Sparta aquifer in north-central Louisiana is the fourth most heavily pumped aquifer in the State. Approximately 68.2 Mgal/d was withdrawn in 2000. Water levels in the aquifer declined to more than 200 feet below sea level in the Monroe area by 1997. During 1990-2000, water level declines ranged from 0.1 to 5.2 ft/yr at monitor wells screened in the aquifer. The Southern Hills aquifer system of southeastern Louisiana is composed of numerous freshwater aquifers. This aquifer system is the third most heavily pumped aquifer or aquifer system in the State (291 Mgal/d in 2000). By the 1970's saltwater encroachment had been documented in major aquifers in the Baton Rouge area. Water levels in deep aquifers having largest withdrawals declined about 0.2 to 3.5 ft/yr or more during the period 1990-2000. In 2000, about 84 percent (8,700 Mgal/d) of the water withdrawn in Louisiana was surface water. Stream discharge data were analyzed for 59 continuous discharge stations. Eleven stations on nine streams had decreasing mean annual discharge during the period 1990-2000.

Louisiana