Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Oregon Water Use Program

Active
By Oregon Water Science Center February 2, 2018

With the ever-increasing rate of utilization of and competition for water (particularly during periods of drought) accurate, current water-use information is of considerable value. This is particularly so in determining future water availability in hydrologically critical areas and for making sound resource-management decisions. For the Oregon Water Science Center, a viable water-use data-collection program complements the ongoing surface and groundwater data programs and provides the data necessary for developing a comprehensive picture of Statewide water resources.

WATER USE PROGRAM OBJECTIVE

The objective of the program is to provide Statewide water-use information for the optimum management and use of the Nation's water resources for the overall benefit of the people. Water Use compilations have been done throughout the United States< every 5 years since 1950. 

SCOPE

The program includes collection, storage, and dissemination of water-use related data, both offstream and onstream, to compliment data on water availability and development and operation of systems to handle the data. The program must be responsive to the data needs of local users, the USGS, and other Federal agencies. The program area includes the State of Oregon and other project-defined boundaries for Oregon Water Science Center hydrologic investigations.

Below are related studies associated with this project.

link
Hydrologist measuring groundwater level

Upper Klamath Basin Groundwater Studies

Since the late 1990s, USGS has worked to characterize the regional groundwater hydrology of the upper Klamath Basin. Research focuses on collecting data to evaluate the groundwater system and its response to external stresses, and to develop computer models that provide insights for water management. These efforts build on earlier USGS studies going back to the 1950s.
By
Oregon Water Science Center
link

Upper Klamath Basin Groundwater Studies

Since the late 1990s, USGS has worked to characterize the regional groundwater hydrology of the upper Klamath Basin. Research focuses on collecting data to evaluate the groundwater system and its response to external stresses, and to develop computer models that provide insights for water management. These efforts build on earlier USGS studies going back to the 1950s.
Learn More
link
USGS

Willamette Basin Groundwater Study

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) studies the water resources of the Willamette River Basin. Here you will find a description of the study, as well as information and data resulting from this work.
By
Oregon Water Science Center
link

Willamette Basin Groundwater Study

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) studies the water resources of the Willamette River Basin. Here you will find a description of the study, as well as information and data resulting from this work.
Learn More

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

National Water Information System (NWIS) - Oregon

National Water Information System: Mapper (Oregon)

By
Oregon Water Science Center

Below are publications associated with this project.

 

https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1951/circ115/

Guidelines for preparation of State water-use estimates for 2015

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has estimated the use of water in the United States at 5-year intervals since 1950. This report describes the water-use categories and data elements used for the national water-use compilation conducted as part of the USGS National Water-Use Science Project. The report identifies sources of water-use information, provides standard methods and techniques for estima
By
Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center
Filter Total Items: 16

Estimated use of water in the United States in 2010

Water use in the United States in 2010 was estimated to be about 355 billion gallons per day (Bgal/d), which was 13 percent less than in 2005. The 2010 estimates put total withdrawals at the lowest level since before 1970. Freshwater withdrawals were 306 Bgal/d, or 86 percent of total withdrawals, and saline-water withdrawals were 48.3 Bgal/d, or 14 percent of total withdrawals. Fresh surface-wate
Authors
Molly A. Maupin, Joan F. Kenny, Susan S. Hutson, John K. Lovelace, Nancy L. Barber, Kristin S. Linsey
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Idaho Water Science Center

Summary of estimated water use in the United States in 2010

About 355,000 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) of water was withdrawn for use in the United States during 2010, a decline of 13 percent from 2005 and a substantial change from the level of about 400,000 Mgal/d reported from 1985 to 2005. Withdrawals for 2010 were lower than withdrawals estimated for 1970. Fresh surface-water withdrawals (230,000 Mgal/d) were almost 15 percent less than in 2005, an
Authors
Nancy L. Barber
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Estimated use of water in the United States in 2005

Estimates of water use in the United States indicate that about 410 billion gallons per day (Bgal/d) were withdrawn in 2005 for all categories summarized in this report. This total is slightly less than the estimate for 2000, and about 5 percent less than total withdrawals in the peak year of 1980. Freshwater withdrawals in 2005 were 349 Bgal/d, or 85 percent of the total freshwater and saline-wat
Authors
Joan F. Kenny, Nancy L. Barber, Susan S. Hutson, Kristin S. Linsey, John K. Lovelace, Molly A. Maupin
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, Kansas Water Science Center

Estimated use of water in the United States in 2000

No abstract available.
Authors
Deborah S. Lumia, Kristin S. Linsey, Nancy L. Barber
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program

Estimated withdrawals from principal aquifers in the United States, 2000

Fresh ground-water withdrawals from 66 principal aquifers in the United States were estimated for irrigation, public-supply, and self-supplied industrial water uses for the year 2000. Total ground-water withdrawals were 76,500 million gallons per day, or 85,800 thousand acre-feet per year for these three uses. Irrigation used the largest amount of ground water, 56,900 million gallons per day, foll
Authors
Molly A. Maupin, Nancy L. Barber
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2000

Estimates of water use in the United States indicate that about 408 billion gallons per day (one thousand million gallons per day, abbreviated Bgal/d) were withdrawn for all uses during 2000. This total has varied less than 3 percent since 1985 as withdrawals have stabilized for the two largest uses?thermoelectric power and irrigation. Fresh ground-water withdrawals (83.3 Bgal/d) during 2000 were
Authors
Susan S. Hutson, Nancy L. Barber, Joan F. Kenny, Kristin S. Linsey, Deborah S. Lumia, Molly A. Maupin
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program

Estimated use of water in the United States in 1995

The purpose of this report is to present consistent and current water-use estimates by state and water-resources region for the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia. Estimates of water withdrawn from surface- and ground-water sources, estimates of consumptive use, and estimates of instream use and wastewater releases during 1995 are presented in this re
Authors
Wayne B. Solley, Robert R. Pierce, Howard A. Perlman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program

Estimated use of water in the United States in 1990

Water withdrawals in the United States during 1990 were estimated to average 408,000 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) of freshwater and saline water for offstream uses--2 percent more than the 1985 estimate. Total freshwater withdrawals were an estimated 339,000 Mgal/d during 1990, about the same as during 1985. Average per-capita use for all offstream uses was 1,620 gallons per day (gal/d) of fre
Authors
Wayne B. Solley, Robert R. Pierce, Howard A. Perlman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Utah Water Science Center

Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 1985

Water withdrawals in the United States during 1985 were estimated to average 399,000 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) of freshwater and saline water for offstream uses--10 percent less than the 1980 estimate. Average per-capita use for all offstream uses was 1,650 gallons per day (gal/d) of freshwater and saline water combined and 1,400 gal/d of freshwater alone. Offstream water-use categories
Authors
Wayne B. Solley, Charles F. Merk, Robert R. Pierce
By
Water Availability and Use Science Program

Water use in the United States, 1980

No abstract available.
Authors
Wayne B. Solley, Nancy L. Barber, Charles F. Merk

Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 1980

Water use in the United States in 1980 was estimated to be an average of 450 bgd (billion gallons per day) of fresh and saline water for offstream uses- an 8-percent increase from the 1975 estimate and a 22-percent increase from the 1970 estimate. Average per capita use for all offstream uses was 2,000 gpd (gallons per day) of fresh and saline water, and 1,600 gpd of fresh water; this represents a
Authors
Wayne B. Solley, Edith B. Chase, William B. Mann
By
Water Availability and Use Science Program

Estimated use of water in the United States in 1975

Estimates of water use in the United States in 1975 indicate that an average of about 420 bgd (billion gallons per day) about 1,900 gallons per capita per day was withdrawn for the four principal off-channel uses which are (1) publicsupply (for domestic, commercial, and industrial uses), (2) rural (domestic and livestock), (3) irrigation, and (4) self-supplied industrial (including thermoelectric
Authors
Charles Richard Murray, E. Bodette Reeves
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Dakota Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

With the ever-increasing rate of utilization of and competition for water (particularly during periods of drought) accurate, current water-use information is of considerable value. This is particularly so in determining future water availability in hydrologically critical areas and for making sound resource-management decisions. For the Oregon Water Science Center, a viable water-use data-collection program complements the ongoing surface and groundwater data programs and provides the data necessary for developing a comprehensive picture of Statewide water resources.

WATER USE PROGRAM OBJECTIVE

The objective of the program is to provide Statewide water-use information for the optimum management and use of the Nation's water resources for the overall benefit of the people. Water Use compilations have been done throughout the United States< every 5 years since 1950. 

SCOPE

The program includes collection, storage, and dissemination of water-use related data, both offstream and onstream, to compliment data on water availability and development and operation of systems to handle the data. The program must be responsive to the data needs of local users, the USGS, and other Federal agencies. The program area includes the State of Oregon and other project-defined boundaries for Oregon Water Science Center hydrologic investigations.

Below are related studies associated with this project.

link
Hydrologist measuring groundwater level

Upper Klamath Basin Groundwater Studies

Since the late 1990s, USGS has worked to characterize the regional groundwater hydrology of the upper Klamath Basin. Research focuses on collecting data to evaluate the groundwater system and its response to external stresses, and to develop computer models that provide insights for water management. These efforts build on earlier USGS studies going back to the 1950s.
By
Oregon Water Science Center
link

Upper Klamath Basin Groundwater Studies

Since the late 1990s, USGS has worked to characterize the regional groundwater hydrology of the upper Klamath Basin. Research focuses on collecting data to evaluate the groundwater system and its response to external stresses, and to develop computer models that provide insights for water management. These efforts build on earlier USGS studies going back to the 1950s.
Learn More
link
USGS

Willamette Basin Groundwater Study

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) studies the water resources of the Willamette River Basin. Here you will find a description of the study, as well as information and data resulting from this work.
By
Oregon Water Science Center
link

Willamette Basin Groundwater Study

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) studies the water resources of the Willamette River Basin. Here you will find a description of the study, as well as information and data resulting from this work.
Learn More

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

National Water Information System (NWIS) - Oregon

National Water Information System: Mapper (Oregon)

By
Oregon Water Science Center

Below are publications associated with this project.

 

https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1951/circ115/

Guidelines for preparation of State water-use estimates for 2015

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has estimated the use of water in the United States at 5-year intervals since 1950. This report describes the water-use categories and data elements used for the national water-use compilation conducted as part of the USGS National Water-Use Science Project. The report identifies sources of water-use information, provides standard methods and techniques for estima
By
Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center
Filter Total Items: 16

Estimated use of water in the United States in 2010

Water use in the United States in 2010 was estimated to be about 355 billion gallons per day (Bgal/d), which was 13 percent less than in 2005. The 2010 estimates put total withdrawals at the lowest level since before 1970. Freshwater withdrawals were 306 Bgal/d, or 86 percent of total withdrawals, and saline-water withdrawals were 48.3 Bgal/d, or 14 percent of total withdrawals. Fresh surface-wate
Authors
Molly A. Maupin, Joan F. Kenny, Susan S. Hutson, John K. Lovelace, Nancy L. Barber, Kristin S. Linsey
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Idaho Water Science Center

Summary of estimated water use in the United States in 2010

About 355,000 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) of water was withdrawn for use in the United States during 2010, a decline of 13 percent from 2005 and a substantial change from the level of about 400,000 Mgal/d reported from 1985 to 2005. Withdrawals for 2010 were lower than withdrawals estimated for 1970. Fresh surface-water withdrawals (230,000 Mgal/d) were almost 15 percent less than in 2005, an
Authors
Nancy L. Barber
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Estimated use of water in the United States in 2005

Estimates of water use in the United States indicate that about 410 billion gallons per day (Bgal/d) were withdrawn in 2005 for all categories summarized in this report. This total is slightly less than the estimate for 2000, and about 5 percent less than total withdrawals in the peak year of 1980. Freshwater withdrawals in 2005 were 349 Bgal/d, or 85 percent of the total freshwater and saline-wat
Authors
Joan F. Kenny, Nancy L. Barber, Susan S. Hutson, Kristin S. Linsey, John K. Lovelace, Molly A. Maupin
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, Kansas Water Science Center

Estimated use of water in the United States in 2000

No abstract available.
Authors
Deborah S. Lumia, Kristin S. Linsey, Nancy L. Barber
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program

Estimated withdrawals from principal aquifers in the United States, 2000

Fresh ground-water withdrawals from 66 principal aquifers in the United States were estimated for irrigation, public-supply, and self-supplied industrial water uses for the year 2000. Total ground-water withdrawals were 76,500 million gallons per day, or 85,800 thousand acre-feet per year for these three uses. Irrigation used the largest amount of ground water, 56,900 million gallons per day, foll
Authors
Molly A. Maupin, Nancy L. Barber
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2000

Estimates of water use in the United States indicate that about 408 billion gallons per day (one thousand million gallons per day, abbreviated Bgal/d) were withdrawn for all uses during 2000. This total has varied less than 3 percent since 1985 as withdrawals have stabilized for the two largest uses?thermoelectric power and irrigation. Fresh ground-water withdrawals (83.3 Bgal/d) during 2000 were
Authors
Susan S. Hutson, Nancy L. Barber, Joan F. Kenny, Kristin S. Linsey, Deborah S. Lumia, Molly A. Maupin
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program

Estimated use of water in the United States in 1995

The purpose of this report is to present consistent and current water-use estimates by state and water-resources region for the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia. Estimates of water withdrawn from surface- and ground-water sources, estimates of consumptive use, and estimates of instream use and wastewater releases during 1995 are presented in this re
Authors
Wayne B. Solley, Robert R. Pierce, Howard A. Perlman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program

Estimated use of water in the United States in 1990

Water withdrawals in the United States during 1990 were estimated to average 408,000 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) of freshwater and saline water for offstream uses--2 percent more than the 1985 estimate. Total freshwater withdrawals were an estimated 339,000 Mgal/d during 1990, about the same as during 1985. Average per-capita use for all offstream uses was 1,620 gallons per day (gal/d) of fre
Authors
Wayne B. Solley, Robert R. Pierce, Howard A. Perlman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Utah Water Science Center

Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 1985

Water withdrawals in the United States during 1985 were estimated to average 399,000 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) of freshwater and saline water for offstream uses--10 percent less than the 1980 estimate. Average per-capita use for all offstream uses was 1,650 gallons per day (gal/d) of freshwater and saline water combined and 1,400 gal/d of freshwater alone. Offstream water-use categories
Authors
Wayne B. Solley, Charles F. Merk, Robert R. Pierce
By
Water Availability and Use Science Program

Water use in the United States, 1980

No abstract available.
Authors
Wayne B. Solley, Nancy L. Barber, Charles F. Merk

Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 1980

Water use in the United States in 1980 was estimated to be an average of 450 bgd (billion gallons per day) of fresh and saline water for offstream uses- an 8-percent increase from the 1975 estimate and a 22-percent increase from the 1970 estimate. Average per capita use for all offstream uses was 2,000 gpd (gallons per day) of fresh and saline water, and 1,600 gpd of fresh water; this represents a
Authors
Wayne B. Solley, Edith B. Chase, William B. Mann
By
Water Availability and Use Science Program

Estimated use of water in the United States in 1975

Estimates of water use in the United States in 1975 indicate that an average of about 420 bgd (billion gallons per day) about 1,900 gallons per capita per day was withdrawn for the four principal off-channel uses which are (1) publicsupply (for domestic, commercial, and industrial uses), (2) rural (domestic and livestock), (3) irrigation, and (4) self-supplied industrial (including thermoelectric
Authors
Charles Richard Murray, E. Bodette Reeves
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Dakota Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.