South Dakota-based scientists from the US Geological Survey are helping to restore a depleted aquifer and build local expertise for managing groundwater in the Ararat Basin of Armenia. The growth of aquaculture to raise trout, sturgeon and other cold-water fish has increased withdrawals of critical groundwater in the Ararat Basin over the last 10 to 15 years. Some wells in the basin have stopped flowing and others have diminished flow in many places. The US Geological Survey is working with the US Agency for International Development Armenia and others to develop scientific tools for water-resource managers to understand and predict consequences of management decisions in Armenia.
