In southwestern Louisiana large quantities of fresh water are available for agricultural,
municipal, domestic, and industrial purposes. However, local and regional problems resulting
from salt-water encroachment in the streams and persistent declines of the groundwater
levels in certain areas during . drought periods have caused some concern regarding
the future water supply of the region. · In order to appraise the situation, to provide hydrologic
information basic to development of the area, and to provide a basis for sound plans
for alleviating recurrent dry-year losses, a study of the ground-water resources of the area
was begun in 1938 through cooperation with the Louisiana Geological Survey, Department
of Conservation. An intensive investigation comprising ground-water, surface-water, and
quality-of-water studies was authorized in 1948 in cooperation with the Louisiana Department
of Public Works, and was completely under' way before the 1949 irrigation season.
The studies were carried through the irrigation season of 1951.
