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and returning to the states greater responsipiHtyand control. Attaining acceptable policy for management of our laxj.d and water resources like- wise presents a challenge to this organization;. Those who are free to speak should do so.. Landowners, water users, lawyers, engineers, scientists and citizens have the opportunity jand responsibility of lending knowledge and experience in formulation ofiimproved, workable policies. "' . * * * * * * * ~ * NEED OF COMPREHENSIVE BASIC DATA PROGRAM FOR WATER RESOURCES. A. N. Sayre, Chief, Groundwater Brand)., U. S. Geological Survey Objectives of the Groundwater Branch of the Geological Survey are to locate, evaluate and describe groundwatbr resources and as.sist in de- termining the best means for their utilization. Nation-wide, there is no reduction in the water supply, and no major decline in water levels out- side of heavily pumped areas and areas temporarily affected by drought. The overall supply has averaged about the isame since the beginning of record; droughts have been offset by abov~ normal precipitation. Never- theless water problems exist in all parts qf the nation because of enor- mous increases in use of water. Use of groundwater, which constitutes about one-sixth of the total use, has incre,"sed from 10 billion gallons per day in 1935 to 20 billion in 1945 and 30 billion in 1950, owing to rapid expansIon in public supplies and irri'gation, and technological changes in rapidly expanding industries and on the farms. Central water systems, flush toilets, etc., have rendered the modest needs of our grandfathers obsolete. Nevertheless, if water is wisely used, there is enough for most foreseeable needs. HQwever, the public must be educated to wiser use of the supply, and ~preciation of the complexities of the hydrologic cycle. I For a period following the Civil wa:i; precipitation was above normal. The newly settled plains produced fabulou:s yield and a myth developed that rains follow the plow. Droughts of the 1890's exploded the myth and drove thousands back east. Settlers in irrigated areas were better able to survive, but the hardships gave impetuis t.o government participation in reclamation projects, resulting in esta:blishment within the Geological Survey of the Reclamation Service which became the Bureau of Reclama- tion. The drought of the 1890's also gav~ impetus to a stream gauging program which is now a substantial part ~f the work of the Geological Survey. Thus began the systematic appr~isal of our water resources. The droughts were only a temporar;y setback to settlement of the West, and soon after, construction of projects for irrigation, mostly with surface water, began in earnest. A(few artesian areas wer", found feasible for irrigation, and a few. munici\'lalities were able to pump f.rom deep groundwater. However, inefficientiwells and pumps and lack of cheap power prevented extensive'develop:ment of. ground water. Surface water was cheaper and thus preferred. !I'hrough the late '20's, rainfall . . ,; . -34-