Ground‐water reservoirs are compared to surface‐water reservoirs and the similarities and

differences are pinpointed. For example, the boundaries and storage capacity of a water‐
bearing formation are not readily determinable. By comparison, an aerial survey of a
potential reservoir site, from which a contour map may be prepared, is generally sufficient to
determine the boundaries and storage capacity of any desired impoundment. Further, ground‐
water reservoirs are full to start with, whereas the area of an impoundment is usually devoid
of water, except for a small amount contained in the river channel. Such differences, and
others discussed in the body of the paper, give rise to social and engineering problems which
are not duplicated elsewhere in the field of water‐resource development. It may not be an
exaggeration to state that, at our present level of technique and knowledge, the scientific and
engineering problems are less vexing than the problems which must be solved by negotiation
and persuasion. Examples of problems encountered in the utilization of ground‐water
reservoirs are cited. As case histories, problems of industrial ground‐water supply in the East
St. Louis area, and of municipal ground‐water supply in the Canton, Ohio, area are discussed.

Volume39, Issue1
February 1958
Pages 94-99