Summary

Description

The Water Resource Inventory and Assessment WRIA report for Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge describes current hydrologic information relevant to the refuge, provides an assessment of water resource needs and issues of concern, and makes recommendations regarding refuge water resources. This report addresses water quality and quantity for both surface water and groundwater resources. The Water Resource Inventory and Assessment WRIA for Okefenokee National Wildlife Refugesummarizes available information relevant to refuge water resources, provides an assessment of water resource needs and issues of concern, and makes recommendations to address the identified needs and concerns. Major topics covered in this report include the natural setting of the refuge topography, climate, geology, soils, hydrology, impacts of development and climate change, significant water resources and associated infrastructure within the refuge, past and current water monitoring activities on and near the refuge, water quality and quantity information, and state water use regulatory framework. Information was compiled from publicly available reports, databases, and geospatial datasets from federal, state, and local agencies; published research reports; websites maintained by government agencies, academic institutions, and nongovernmental organizations; and from files and GIS data layers maintained by the refuge. For the purposes of this assessment, the Region of Hydrologic Influence RHI was defined as the Upper Suwannee and St. Marys River watersheds, and a portion of the Satilla watershed to the north. The RHI includes a total drainage area of 2,978,461 acres.