Sources of water-use data in Minnesota

Since the 1976-77 drought in Minnesota, legislators, planners, and citizens have become aware of the need for water management based on knowledge of water availability and use in order to alleviate local water shortages. In addition to maintaining an adequate supply, information on the amount of water used, where it is used, and how it is used is needed to help resolve problems of resource allocation, environmental impact, energy development, and water quality. A reliable water-use-data base providing historical information is needed by management and regulatory agencies to monitor and project the hydrologic effects of water demands.