Water resources of Evangeline Parish, Louisiana

Abstract

Information concerning the availability, use, and quality of water in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, is critical for proper water-supply management. The purpose of this fact sheet is to present information that can be used by water managers, parish residents, and others for stewardship of this vital resource. In 2014, about 282.66 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) of water were withdrawn in Evangeline Parish, including about 122.05 Mgal/d from groundwater sources and 160.61 Mgal/d from surface-water sources. Withdrawals for agricultural use, composed of aquaculture, general irrigation, livestock, and rice irrigation, accounted for 45 percent (126.86 Mgal/d) of the total water withdrawn. Withdrawals for power-generation use accounted for about 52 percent (146.33 Mgal/d) of the total water withdrawn. Other categories of use included public supply, industry, and rural domestic. Water-use data collected at 5-year intervals from 1960 to 2010 and again in 2014 indicated that water withdrawals peaked in 1980.