Publications, Reports, and Information

The following reports contain information about Alabama’s water use and water availability:

Estimated 2015 Water Use and Surface Water Availability in Alabama Report

The Estimated 2015 Water Use and Surface Water Availability Report contains OWR’s estimation of water use (both withdrawals and net consumption) for 2015, estimates of streamflows for subbasins for both the 2010 and 2015 time periods, and estimates of relative net demand (RND) for both 2010 and 2015.

This Report consists of five primary elements:

  1. Estimation of water withdrawals by source of supply, water-use sector, county, and hydrologic subregion and subbasin for the State of Alabama in eight sectors that include public supply, residential, irrigation, livestock, aquaculture, industrial, mining, and thermoelectric power;
  2. A comparison of the water withdrawals totals and for each sector between 2010 and 2015;
  3. A comparison of the precipitation in Alabama for counties and subbasins between 2010 and 2015;
  4. An estimate of monthly and annual streamflows for 2010 and 2015 for each of Alabama’s 53 subbasins; and
  5. An assessment of relative net demands (RND) for 2010 and 2015.

The Report contains a main report section and 11 appendices that provide a complete discussion of all methodologies used for the development of this information and resulting data tables, charts, and maps. Various documents and components of the report are available below:

Individual appendices are also available for download:

2015 Water Use Report - Appendix A - Subbasin Information Table

2015 Water Use Report - Appendix B - Average Water Withdrawals by County

2015 Water Use Report - Appendix C - Average Water Withdrawals by Subbasin

2015 Water Use Report - Appendix D - Monthly Water Withdrawals, Returns, and Net Demands by County

2015 Water Use Report - Appendix E - Monthly Water Withdrawals, Returns, and Net Demands by Subbasin

2015 Water Use Report - Appendix F - Public Supplier Survey Form

2015 Water Use Report - Appendix G - Irrigation Survey Form

2015 Water Use Report - Appendix H - Hydroelectric Dams

2015 Water Use Report - Appendix I - 2010 and 2015 Streamflow Comparison to Statistical Summaries by Subbasin

2015 Water Use Report - Appendix J - 2010 and 2015 RND Ratio Tables by Subbasin

2015 Water Use Report - Appendix K - 2010 and 2015 RND Ratio Maps by Subbasin

2017 OWR Surface Water Assessment Report

The 2017 OWR Surface Water Assessment Report contains OWR’s assessment of water use (both withdrawals and net consumption) for the 2010 and 2040 time periods, estimates of streamflows for subbasins and locations throughout Alabama, and a comparison of water use and streamflows.

This Report consists of four primary elements:

  1. An assessment of the 2010 water withdrawals and returns and resulting consumptive use in the state;
  2. An estimate of projected 2040 water withdrawals and returns and resulting consumptive use in the state;
  3. An assessment of streamflows throughout the state; and,
  4. A comparison between both the 2010 and projected 2040 consumptive water use and the assessment of streamflows throughout the state.

The Report contains a main report section and 13 appendices that provide a complete discussion of all methodologies used for the development of this information and resulting data tables, charts, and maps. Various documents and components of the report are available below:

Individual appendices are also available for download:

2017 Surface Water Assessment - Appendix A - Subbasin Information Table

2017 Surface Water Assessment - Appendix B - University of Alabama Center for Business and Economic Research Population Report

2017 Surface Water Assessment - Appendix C - Auburn University Water Resources Center Report on Agriculture Water Demand Forecast Report

2017 Surface Water Assessment - Appendix D - Troy University Industrial Water Demand Forecast Report

2017 Surface Water Assessment - Appendix E - Hydroelectric Dams in Alabama

2017 Surface Water Assessment - Appendix F - Subbasin Demand Summaries

2017 Surface Water Assessment - Appendix G - Monthly and Annual Flow Site Tables

2017 Surface Water Assessment - Appendix H - Subbasin Flow and Demand Summaries

2017 Surface Water Assessment - Appendix I - Subbasin RND Tables

2017 Surface Water Assessment - Appendix J - Subbasin RND Monthly Maps

2017 Surface Water Assessment - Appendix K - Subbasin Monthly Flow Summaries

2017 Surface Water Assessment - Appendix L - Monthly Flow Summaries

2017 Surface Water Assessment - Appendix M - Annual Flow Summaries

Estimated Use of Water in Alabama in 2010 Report

The report was prepared by the Office of Water Resources with assistance from the Troy University Center for Water Resources Economics. It contains a summary of water use in Alabama for the year 2010. PDF files are available as follows:

The Estimated Use of Water in Alabama in 2010 Report

The Fact Sheet summarizing the 2010 report

 

Estimated Use of Water in Alabama in 2005 Report

The report was prepared by the Office of Water Resources in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey. PDF files are available as follows:

The Estimated Use of Water in Alabama in 2005 Report

The Fact Sheet summarizing the 2005 report

Alabama Water Agencies Working Group

The Alabama Water Agencies Working Group (AWAWG) was informally established in 2012 and inherited by Governor Ivey as part of the transition to office.

After careful consideration, Governor Ivey decided to disband the AWAWG in favor of following the process for changes to Alabama’s water resources planning and management programs and policies that are outlined under the Alabama Water Resources Act (Code of Alabama, 1975, §9-10B-1 et seq.)

That process is overseen by the Alabama Office of Water Resources and the Alabama Water Resources Commission, whose members represent various water-interest sectors and are appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House. These two entities have the primary statutory role in advising the Governor and the Legislature on recommended changes to how Alabama manages its water resources.

December 2013 Alabama Water Resources Management Policy Report

The Alabama Water Agencies Working Group submitted a report outlining major water resource issues in Alabama. The report identified and summarized a dozen key water issues and policy options. The group concluded that a water management plan needs to be developed so that Alabama can address these issues responsibly and effectively. The report is intended to provide a common base of information to assist various water agencies and others interested in water resource matters to take the first steps toward resolving policy issues and creating a comprehensive water management plan for Alabama.

August 2012 Water Management Issues in Alabama Report