Guánica and the lower Rio Loco valley lie between the extensive agricultural development in Lajas Valley to the west and the industrial development at Guayanilla to the east. Having a protected deep-water port, the Guánica area is particularly well suited to further development. The economic growth of the area depends, in important degree, on the amount of water available-water in the immediate area or water to be brought in from other areas.
The purpose of the study of the Guánica area was to evaluate the water supply in the immediate area. How much water is there? How much water moves through the area and what are the factors that control the movement? What is the composition of the water? And how much more water can be used?
The study itself took one year. Active data collection included measurements of streamflow, measurements of water levels in wells, measurements of well discharge, chemical analyses of surface and ground water, geologic reconnaissance, and considerable interviewing. Information for more than one year was obtained for rainfall and other weather data, well pumpage, water leaving Lago loco, and water used by the Southwestern Puerto Rico project.
