National Water Census Program Water Use in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, 2010, and Water-Use Trends, 1985–2010 Scientific Investigations Report 2016 –5007 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey A B D C E F G H J K I Cover. All photographs by Alan M. Cressler, U.S. Geological Survey, unless noted otherwise. A, Dicks Creek, Lumpkin County, Georgia. B, Chicken farm, White County, Georgia. C, Kayaker, Chattahoochee River, Georgia. D, Storm-sewer overflow. E, Housing areas, Douglas County, Georgia. F, Waterfront, Columbus, Georgia. G, Center-pivot irrigation west of Albany, Georgia (Google earth, image from USDA Farm Service Agency, December 31, 2009). H, Cattle, Dooly County, Georgia. I, Big Rainbow mussel. J, Jim Woodruff Dam, Lake Seminole. K, Hole In The Wall cave, Merritts Pond, Marianna, Florida. Water Use in the Apalachicola- Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, 2010, and Water-Use Trends, 1985–2010 By Stephen J. Lawrence National Water Census Program Scientific Investigations Report 2016 –5007 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior SALLY JEWELL, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Suzette M. Kimball, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2016 For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment—visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1–888–ASK–USGS. For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod/. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner. Suggested citation: Lawrence, S.J., 2016, Water use in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, 2010, and water-use trends, 1985 –2010: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2016–5007, 72 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20165007. ISSN 2328-0328 (online) iii Contents Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................................................viii Abstract ..........................................................................................................................................................1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................2 Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................3 Previous Studies ...................................................................................................................................3 Water Withdrawal and Water-Use Data Sources and Estimation Methods .......................................3 Public-Supplied Population .................................................................................................................5 Public-Supplied Water .........................................................................................................................6 Alabama.........................................................................................................................................6 Florida ............................................................................................................................................6 Georgia ..........................................................................................................................................6 Public-Supplied Water Deliveries ......................................................................................................6 Alabama.........................................................................................................................................7 Florida ............................................................................................................................................7 Georgia ..........................................................................................................................................7 Self-Supplied Water Withdrawals .....................................................................................................8 Alabama.........................................................................................................................................9 Florida ..........................................................................................................................................10 Georgia ........................................................................................................................................11 Surface-Water Returns ......................................................................................................................13 Alabama.......................................................................................................................................13 Florida ..........................................................................................................................................13 Georgia ........................................................................................................................................13 Hydrologic Unit Codes and Water-Use Reporting Units........................................................................14 Study Area Description ..............................................................................................................................15 Apalachicola River Basin ..................................................................................................................15 Hydrologic Setting .....................................................................................................................15 Chattahoochee River Basin ..............................................................................................................18 Physiography ..............................................................................................................................20 Hydrologic Setting .....................................................................................................................20 Flint River Basin...................................................................................................................................21 Hydrologic Setting .....................................................................................................................21 Climate ..................................................................................................................................................21 Climate in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, 2010 ..................................................22 Water Use in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin ......................................................24 Public-Supply Water Withdrawals ..................................................................................................26 Public-Supplied Water Deliveries ....................................................................................................29 Self-Supplied Water Withdrawals ...................................................................................................29 Surface-Water Returns ......................................................................................................................29 Water Use in the Apalachicola River Basin ...................................................................................29 Public-Supply Water Withdrawals .........................................................................................29 Public-Supplied Water Deliveries ...........................................................................................32 Self-Supplied Water Withdrawals ..........................................................................................32 Surface-Water Returns .............................................................................................................33 iv Water Use in the Chattahoochee River Basin ...............................................................................33 Public-Supply Water Withdrawals .........................................................................................33 Public-Supplied Water Deliveries ...........................................................................................33 Self-Supplied Water Withdrawals ..........................................................................................36 Surface-Water Returns .............................................................................................................39 Water Use in the Flint River Basin ...................................................................................................39 Public-Supply Water Withdrawals .........................................................................................39 Public-Supplied Water Deliveries ...........................................................................................40 Self-Supplied Water Withdrawals ..........................................................................................40