Water for the 21st century in the United States

The extended period of development of water resources in the United States is nearly completed. The greatest need in the future will be for additional water for water supply for a growing population, not only in the United States, but worldwide. Other national objectives of water resource development include navigation, irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power. Except for flood control, the need for which will increase somewhat, these other purposes will be maintained, but not increased. Control of nonpoint source pollution, especially of ground water, must be the most important pollution objective in the future. The need for water for instream flows to protect endangered species is already interfering with use of water for other purposes, and this pressure may increase. Although state and federal agencies have been able to solve such problems in many cases, some conflicts have led to prolonged stalemates. In the future it is believed that special interagency holistic studies will be authorized, with coordination by a top-level advisory agency and approval by Congress.