Water-resources activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in South Dakota; fiscal years 1986-87

Abstract

Providing earth-science information through an extensive publications program and a network of public access points. Along with its continuing commitment to meet the growing and changing earth-science needs of the Nation, the USGS remains dedicated to its original mission to collect, analyze, interpret, publish, and disseminate information about the natural resources of the Nation providing "Earth science in the public service." THE WATER RESOURCES DIVISION The mission of the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Resources Division is to provide the hydrologic information and understanding needed for the optimum use and management of the Nation's water resources for the overall benefit of the people of the United States. For more than 93 years, the U.S. Geological Survey has studied the occurrence, quantity, quality, distribution, and movement of the surface and underground water that composes the Nation's water resources. As the principal Federal water-data agency, the Geological Survey collects and disseminates about 70 percent of the water data currently being used by numerous State, local, private, and other Federal agencies to develop and manage our water resources. This nationwide program, which is carried out through the Water Resources Division's 43 District offices and 4 Regional offices, includes the collection, analysis, and dissemination of hydrologic data and water-use information, areal resource appraisals and other interpretive studies, and research projects. Much of this work is a cooperative effort in which planning and financial support are shared by State and local governments and other Federal agencies. The Geological Survey, through its Office of Water Data Coordination (OWDC), also coordinates the water-data-acquisition activities of other Federal agencies. Information on these Federal activities is made available to all users of water data by means of a national network of assistance centers managed by the Geological Survey's National Water Data Exchange