Admittedly, it came at the worst possible time of year since the region depends upon winter season precipitation and snowpack to meet the spring and summer water demand. We have worked closely with the Congress over the last 3 years to explore the issues relating to the modernization and stability of the network. I should also briefly mention the importance of ground water as an indicator of drought and as an important aspect of the mechanisms available to communities, agriculture, and industry as insurance against drought. We believe that the science of ground-water hydrology is crucial to water management in the West and nationwide. Conjunctive use of surface and ground water has great potential for making water supplies more drought resistant.
Ground water is crucial to sustaining streamflow for habitat and for water supply.
More and more we find that our partners are interested in the role that ground water plays in maintaining adequate flow and temperature conditions in rivers. We also find that emerging technologies such as artificial recharge, aquifer storage and recovery, and recharge of reclaimed wastewater are pivotal parts of the water management equation. The science to support the use of these new technologies is a part of our strategic plan for the future of USGS ground-water science. I thank the Subcommittee for this opportunity to testify and I look forward to answering your questions today and working with you over the coming months and years.