C R I T I C A L ISSUE WATER USE Addressed by 4 management objectives, 9 action plans Water resources are under increasing pressure plans also are encouraged for source water pro- from population growth, increased water use per tection through the NHDES Drinking Water and capita, and changes in temperature and rainfall Groundwater Program. At present, no water man- patterns due to climate change. Water use is also agement plans are being developed in Maine com- no longer viewed only from a human consumption munities within the Great Bay Estuary watershed. “SIMULATED EFFECTS standpoint. Flows needed to sustain aquatic envi- on the Seacoast ronments are now considered in evaluating and New nominations continue. The Lamprey River Hydrologic System regulating instream flows and withdrawal limits. Nominating Committee has submitted a nomina- FROM PROjECTED tion for the undesignated portion of the upper increased future Both New Hampshire and Maine have recently and tidal portions of the Lamprey River as well as water use include evaluated water resource pressures by estimating the North Branch River, Pawtuckaway River, declining base flows; water use and water requirements by watershed. North River, Little River and Piscassic River. The declining fresh In 2008, the US Geological Survey (USGS) re- Exeter River Local Advisory Committee has sub- GROUND-WATER leased a technical report estimating current water mitted a nomination for the undesignated portion discharges to tidal use in New Hampshire seacoast region and pre- of the Exeter River and the Squamscott River. bayS, estuaries and dicting water use increases through 2025. The Lastly, the Oyster River Watershed Association THE OCEAN; AND report estimates that from 2010 to 2025, domes- has submitted a nomination for the Oyster River. LOWERED GROUNDWATER LEVELS.” tic water demand will increase 54% and non-do- If successful, these rivers would be designated mestic water demand will increase 62%. into the RMPP in the summer of 2011. Once en- USGS Ass E ss ME N T OF rolled, management plans would be developed GROU N D -WATER RE S OURCE S IN THE SEACOA S T REGIO N OF The New Hampshire Stressed Basins Project, for these rivers as well. NEW HAMP S HIRE , 2008 conducted by the NH Geological Survey (NHGS), developed a water balance index that evaluated A pilot “Consumptive Water Use Capacity Plan” total withdrawal to summer streamflow. The is being developed by NHDES that jointly assesses Maine Geological Survey completed a similar surface and groundwater use and sustainability. program called Watersheds at Risk. This program Coordination of these efforts going forward will highlights the areas most vulnerable to declining protect water resources and maximize resources stream baseflows due to surface water and for protection efforts. groundwater resource demands. Stratified drift aquifers are localized sand and In order to assess water resource needs, accurate gravel deposits that currently provide drinking hydrologic baseline information is required. Some water, or may serve as future supplies. These water level and streamflow data are regularly aquifers also provide valuable recharge and dis- collected but a larger network would allow for charge areas for underlying bedrock groundwater more accurate predictions and a stronger scien- and streams and rivers that cross these deposits. tific basis for regulations. Data collection can be Aquifers often extend beyond town boundaries cooperatively funded and collected by federal, and can supply multiple towns with water. Pro- state and local entities in order to make the best tecting these water supplies by applying consistent use of limited resources. land use regulations and retaining forested land cover can help protect water quality and the Water resource management plans are being de- drinking water resource these aquifers provide. veloped for designed river reaches under the NH Rivers Management and Protection Program Addessing water use involves a broad range of (RMPP). The Lamprey River Management Plan activities that include: was updated in 2007, the Isinglass River Manage- ment Plan was developed in 2008 and the Exeter • Protecting instream flows River Corridor and Watershed Management Plan • Promoting sustainable land-use practices was developed in 1999. A Protected Instream • Pursuing source water protection Flow Study was conducted for the designated portion of the Lamprey River in 2009. Similar 22.