thumbnail

Integrated Water Availability in the Conterminous United States, 2010–20

Professional Paper 1894-F
Water Availability and Use Science Program and National Water Quality Program
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1894F

Links

Abstract

Water availability is defined as the spatial and temporal distribution of water quantity and quality as it relates to the needs of humans and ecosystems. Broad assessment of water availability requires the consideration of multiple indicators because water users have different sensitivities to the degradation of water conditions. This chapter draws upon estimates of water supply, water use, and water quality to develop an integrated assessment of water availability in the conterminous United States (CONUS) for water years 2010–2020. The surface water-supply and use index (SUI) was used to express limitation arising from high water consumption in relation to water supply. Ecological stress was also assessed using indicators of ecologically detrimental flow alteration. Benchmarks of human and ecological health were used to assess water quality in relation to several key uses nationwide. In all, we find that 10 of 18 hydrologic regions have severe water stress in at least 1 indicator. Furthermore, it was common for regions to have high or severe stress in more than one indicator, which emphasizes that limitations often co-occur. For example, regions with high SUIs may also have an increased tendency to experience water quality degradation or ecologically detrimental flow alteration. Furthermore, we compared the spatial distribution of water availability against the Centers for Disease Control Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to examine the relative distribution of socially vulnerable populations in relation to limitations on water availability. We found a tendency for an increasing segment of the population exposed to elevated SUI or water-quality degradation to be from socially vulnerable groups, as defined by SVI. This finding is similar to other studies that have noted greater water-availability limitations among socially vulnerable groups. By considering multiple indicators of water availability as a whole, greater insight into the distribution of limitations affecting water availability was gained and contributed to a more comprehensive assessment.

Suggested Citation

Stets, E.G., Cashman, M.J., Miller, O.L., and Powlen, K.A., 2025, Integrated water availability in the conterminous United States, 2010–20, chap. F of U.S. Geological Survey Integrated Water Availability Assessment—2010–20: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1894–F, 41 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1894F.

ISSN: 2330-7102 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Preface
  • Abstract
  • Key Points
  • Introduction
  • Water-Quantity Components of Water Availability
  • Water-Quality Components of Water Availability
  • Water-Use Sensitivities and Effects on Water Availability
  • Integrated Water Availability
  • Socioeconomic Limitations Affecting Water Availability
  • Future Water-Availability Considerations
  • Conclusions
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Methods Supporting the Integrated Water Availability Assessment
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Integrated water availability in the conterminous United States, 2010–20
Series title Professional Paper
Series number 1894
Chapter F
DOI 10.3133/pp1894F
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) WMA - Earth System Processes Division
Description viii, 41 p.
Country United States
Other Geospatial conterminous United States
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details