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Research
- Longleaf Pine Research
- Aquatics Research
- Wetlands
- Streams/Rivers
- Water Chemistry and Nutrient Dynamics in the Lower Flint River
- Coupling Source Water Chemistry to Microbiological Processes
- Annual Summary of Water Resources Conditions in Southwestern Georgia
- Effects of Flooding
- Changes in Mussel Assemblage Composition in the Lower Flint River Basin from 1999 to 2001: An Assessment of the Impacts of 2000 Drought
- Effects of Drought on Freshwater Mussels and Instream Habitat in Coastal Plain Tributaries of the Flint River, Southwest Georgia (July-October, 2000)
- Hydrologic and geomorphic controls on suspended particulate organic matter concentration and transport in Ichawaynochaway Creek, Georgia, USA
- Wood Debris Recruitment and Movement Across Differing Riparian landforms in a Coastal Plain Stream
- Groundwater
- Land-Use Impacts
- Wildlife Research
- Research Publications
- Graduate Projects
Annual Summary of Water Resources Conditions in Southwestern Georgia
Research Team: David W. Hicks (Scientist) and Brian Clayton (Monitoring Technician)
The water resources of southwestern Georgia are extremely complex in regard to water use planning and management. Perhaps no other aquatic system in Georgia displays the dynamics in terms of groundwater and surface-water interaction as the Upper Floridan aquifer and the streams of the lower Flint River Basin. Large withdrawals of water for agricultural use during the summer months, coupled with reduced seasonal rainfall generally results in declining streamflow and groundwater levels through the summer and early fall months. The hydrologic systems generally reach an annual low by late fall. Typically, the recharge season begins with the onset of winter rains in December and continues through March where groundwater and stream systems are replenished. During recent years, below normal winter rainfall has produced limited replenishment of water supplies in the southwestern Georgia area resulting in record low groundwater levels and streamflow.
Water resources conditions are monitored at numerous locations throughout the southwestern Georgia area by the U.S. Geological Survey through cooperative programs with many local, state, and private entities. Continuous records of groundwater level and stream stage are collected at numerous monitoring stations in the lower Flint River Basin. Some data are collected at “real time” stations and made available to the general public on the USGS Web site. Data collected at the remaining stations are available through annual reports prepared by the USGS.
Because of the importance of the water resources in southwestern Georgia to its residents, to downstream users, and to the aquatic biota, it is important that water managers understand the current condition of the resource in relation to historic, or median, conditions. Comparisons between current and historic conditions are essential in understanding the sustainability of our water resources. In order for the water resources of this region to be effectively managed, it is essential that water use planners and managers be provided an objective analysis of the condition of the resource on an annual basis. The purpose of this study is to provide an annual summary of the condition of the water resources in southwestern Georgia area.
Research in progress, publications forthcoming.
Funded by: Department of Natural Resources