An analysis of the water situation in the United States: 1989-2040

Abstract

The United States has abundant supplies of fresh water. The renewable water supply of the coterminous United States amounts to about 1,400 billion gallons per day (bgd). Aggregate daily withdrawals amount to 343 bgd or 25% of renewable supply. Aggregate daily consumption amounts to 93 bgd or 7% of renewable supply.The Nation's watersheds are generally in good condition. But special attention must be given to managing the soil and vegetation on more than 70% of our watersheds to maintain or improve the quality and quantity of water flowing from them. A survey of watersheds in the U.S. revealed that 28% are in prime condition; 50% require special consideration of soil and vegetation characteristics when resource management plans are prepared; and 22% require direct capital investments to restore watershed conditions to a level consistent with resource management goals. Most watersheds in prime condition are in the West; most special emphasis watersheds are in the South and North; and most watersheds requiring direct capital investments are in the North and Rocky Mountains.

Citation

Guldin, Richard W. 1989. An analysis of the water situation in the United States: 1989-2040. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-GTR-177. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 178 p.