Groundwater is the water beneath the land surface that fills the spaces in rock and sediment. It is replenished by precipitation. Under natural conditions much of that recharge returns to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration from plants and trees or discharges to surface waters. Groundwater discharge to surface waters allows streams to flow beyond rain and snowmelt periods and sustains lake levels during dry spells.
Groundwater occurs everywhere in Minnesota, but the availability of groundwater for water supplies vary throughout the state. Availability for larger withdrawals may be limited in some areas. Ground water supplies about 75 percent of Minnesota's drinking water and nearly 90 percent of the water used for agricultural irrigation.
The DNR has created these two videos about the Mount Simon Aquifer which is under the Twin Cities Metro Area to provide a basic overview of groundwater -- explaining what groundwater is, where it comes from, how it moves, and more. The video also explains the results of a study of groundwater usage in a major water supply aquifer that serves the Twin Cities and southeastern Minnesota.
For more information visit the DNR's main groundwater page -- including resources for teachers and students -- visit http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/groundwater/index.html
To watch the videos go to http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/groundwater/videos.html
Groundwater Overview & Videos
Posted: September 11, 2019 by MAEE Administration
Category: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Groundwater is the water beneath the land surface that fills the spaces in rock and sediment. It is replenished by precipitation. Under natural conditions much of that recharge returns to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration from plants and trees or discharges to surface waters. Groundwater discharge to surface waters allows streams to flow beyond rain and snowmelt periods and sustains lake levels during dry spells.
Groundwater occurs everywhere in Minnesota, but the availability of groundwater for water supplies vary throughout the state. Availability for larger withdrawals may be limited in some areas. Ground water supplies about 75 percent of Minnesota's drinking water and nearly 90 percent of the water used for agricultural irrigation.
The DNR has created these two videos about the Mount Simon Aquifer which is under the Twin Cities Metro Area to provide a basic overview of groundwater -- explaining what groundwater is, where it comes from, how it moves, and more. The video also explains the results of a study of groundwater usage in a major water supply aquifer that serves the Twin Cities and southeastern Minnesota.
For more information visit the DNR's main groundwater page -- including resources for teachers and students -- visit http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/groundwater/index.html
To watch the videos go to http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/groundwater/videos.html