• Overview
• Five Year Plan
• Projects Underway
• New Projects for 2009
• Leadership
• Annual Report

At its outset, the WMG initiated projects that will: 1) improve the region’s ability to monitor and respond to droughts, and 2) explore long-term approaches to extend the Catawba-Wateree River’s ability to support the region’s future water and electricity needs.

Ground Water Monitoring: WMG committed more than $550,000 over four years to improve three existing groundwater monitoring wells and to install seven new wells located in both North and South Carolina. This network of monitoring wells will help the region better assess when it is appropriate to remove water use restrictions necessary during severe droughts. In 2008, two existing groundwater wells were upgraded, and a new well near Camden, SC area was drilled and is being outfitted. Two new wells and an upgrade of the third existing well are slated for 2009.

Constructed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which is contributing $181,900 in joint funding, these wells will become part of the USGS’ nationwide network of wells and streamflow gauges that provide daily readings available to the public over the Web.

Intake and Discharge Mapping: Nearing completion is a project that is generating comprehensive GIS maps of existing and projected public water service areas overlaid with the locations of existing water intakes and discharges in the Catawba-Wateree and neighboring river basins. These maps will enable planners to identify future intake and discharge locations that optimize use of the water stored in the Catawba-Wateree reservoirs.