Water resources of Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana

First posted August 4, 2020 For additional information, contact: Director, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science CenterU.S. Geological Survey3535 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd., Suite 120 Baton Rouge, LA 70816 Information concerning the availability, use, and quality of water in Avoyelles 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 In 2014, about 70 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) of water were withdrawn in Avoyelles Parish, including about 59.27 Mgal/d from groundwater sources and 10.95 Mgal/d from surface-water sources. Withdrawals for agricultural use—composed of aquaculture, general irrigation, livestock, and rice irrigation—accounted for 93 percent (65.59 Mgal/d) of the total water withdrawn. Other categories of use included public supply 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 2014.