Date: 2012

AVAILABLE FORMATS: Publication: $1.50 each or $4.00 for set of three, ES052

Order form (PDF)

Almost all of Columbia County's water-supply needs are met by groundwater. By understanding the geology of the groundwater, county planners and developers can make informed land-use decisions to help protect this precious resource.

Written for the public, each 2-page publication contains a color map plus an explanation about how the map was made, what it shows, and how it might be put to use.

	1. Water-table elevation (ES052-1). Elevation of the water table determines the direction of groundwater flow—critical information for those siting water supply wells as well as for preserving flow to surface water.
	2. Groundwater recharge (ES052-2). Recharge water is what supplies fresh water to wells, streams, springs, and wetlands. Water managers use this information when assessing where pumping is reasonable or excessive, and where pumping can be increased without harming nearby streams or lakes.
	3. Groundwater susceptibility (ES052-3). Columbia County's water supply is very vulnerable to pollution. This map can be used to help guide land-use decisions to help protect the groundwater.

For larger, more-detailed versions of the three maps, see WOFR2012-02 through -04. The maps and GIS data are available as free downloads or for purchase.