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Show THE FAILURE TO COORDINATE THE EFFORTS OF THE VARIOUS AGENCIES LACK OF DELEGATED RESPONSIBILITY TO APPRAISE AND INTERPRET HYDROLOGIC FACTS COLLECTED data bearing on this problem have been collected, but they are inadequate and have not been utilized to develop quantitative measurements of the amounts, location, and types of mechanisms involved in the return of the water to the atmosphere. Very little has been done to relate these processes to projects of water resources management. ( 6) The failure to coordinate the efforts of the various agencies engaged in research and measurement of the various features of the hydrologic cycle is another fundamental weakness in the present basic- data foundation of water resources. Equally unfortunate is the lack of delegated responsibility to appraise and interpret the measurement and other hydrologic facts collected. The energy of the basic data agencies has been so completely absorbed in recording the measurements and publishing the raw data that comparatively little attention has been given to appraisal and interpretations by the experts who know most of the limitations and possibilities of the data they collect. It is of particular importance that these basic- data agencies be kept free from bias or influence and of great importance that they be given responsibility to provide dependable interpretations of the quantity and conditions of availability of water resources. A complete balance sheet should be developed and maintained that will show the total water resources, the maximum quantities of water than can be made available for all useful purposes, and the extent of the wasteful uses. The size and scope of the Federal basic- data program in water resources should be brought into harmony at the earliest possible date with the magnitude and complexity of the resource itself and should provide an adequate and dependable basic- data foundation for projects to develop the maximum uses of water. THE ACT ESTABLISHES A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNTS OF WATER AVAILABLE COMPARATIVE PROVISIONS OF PRESENT PROGRAM AND NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES BASIC- DATA PROGRAM I. PRECIPITATION Present program.- Precipitation measurements in terms of inches per day, per month, and per year are secured by the Weather Bureau at numerous points throughout the United States, chiefly in cities and settled communities. Some stations are maintained independently by other Federal and State agencies, and by individual and private organizations. Only a limited amount of precipitation data is available for areas outside of settled communities. Epecially lacking are measurements of precipitation in unsettled areas and at high elevations in the mountainous sections of the country. The present program does not provide for the determination of total precipitation in terms of acre- feet or other quantitative measurement that could be compared with the amount of water used and wasted. National water resources basic'data program.- The program makes the Weather Bureau responsible for the determination of the rates, geographic distribution, and the gross volume of precipitation and the frequency at which varying seasonal amounts of precipitation occur. The act establishes a comprehensive program designed to determine the amounts of water available from precipitation, in terms of acre- feet or other suitable units. The calculated gross volume of water precipitated in each area will furnish the necessary beginning point for a systematic accounting of the water involved in each succeeding phase of the hydrologic cycle. 27 |
