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Abstract
To evaluate surface water withdrawals used for Marcellus shale natural gas development and to assess potential impacts on water yield, a regional water balance model was developed for the Pine Creek watershed, located primarily in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Marcellus shale development has increased rapidly in Lycoming County since 2007. We used precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, and streamflow from a long-term U.S. Geological Survey station to estimate surface water availability and characterize seasonal changes over a 50-year period. We compared water availability and demand before Marcellus exploration to conservative projections of future water withdrawals for Lycoming County. Results show an increase in total surface water withdrawals related to mining use in Lycoming County. We thus were able to estimate current surface water reserves in the area.
Parent Publication
Citation
Eisenhauer, Patrick C.; Zegre, Nicolas P.; Lamont, Samuel J. 2013. Assessment of freshwater withdrawals and availability for Marcellus shale natural gas development: a case study in Pennsylvania. In: Miller, Gary W.; Schuler, Thomas M.; Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Brooks, John R.; Grushecky, Shawn T.; Spong, Ben D.; Rentch, James S., eds. Proceedings, 18th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; 2012 March 26-28; Morgantown, WV; Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-117. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 235-241.
