OCR Text |
Show the main river and many of its tributaries is per- haps the most important water problem confront- ing Federal, State, and local agencies. Concen- trations of population, waste-producing industries, and coal mining activities have resulted in serious pollution. This causes damage along many reaches of the river to domestic and industrial wa- ter supplies, to navigation craft and structures, bridges, and fish and wildlife. It also precludes recreation use of the waters in many areas. In addition the heavy use of water for cooling purposes has resulted in relatively high water temperatures in the worst polluted reaches. The domestic and industrial water supplies in the Ohio Basin would be adequate if stream flow were regulated and ground water developed properly. Water requirements remain relatively constant throughout the year but stream flow fluctuates from excessive peaks which cause floods, erosion, and sedimentation, to extreme low flows which accen- tuate the problems of pollution and water supply. The growing demand for water for industrial and domestic use in the face of increasing pollution is a major problem affecting such industrial centers as Pittsburgh, Charleston, Cincinnati, and Indianapo- lis. Increases in population and new domestic uses for water are creating municipal shortages where existing facilities are outgrown. Air conditioning of buildings requires large quantities of water. The lack of water suitable for manufacturing pur- poses is restricting industrial expansion in some areas. Ground water depletion is not widespread over the basin except in relation to rather infrequent dry weather cycles. However, serious localized ground water problems exist. Floods are particularly devastating in this valley. Intensive settlement on the river flood plains com- bined with the wide fluctuation in river stages has accentuated the seriousness of the flood problem in the basin. In the last 35 years, flood-control works such as those operated by the Miami Conservancy District in Ohio, together with those now completed by the Corps of Engineers, have demonstrated that by the integrated use of a system of reservoirs, it is possible to obtain control of flood waters, low flow stabiliza- tion, water supply improvement, and recreation benefits. The effect of such reservoirs upon ground water reservoirs has not been analyzed. The future of the Ohio River Basin, both agriculturally and industrially, will be influenced greatly by the solu- tion of its water problems and the management of its water. 631 |