Sparta Information Sparta Records USGS Homepage USGS Wells Commissioners Kid's Pages Links Home About the Sparta Commission About the Sparta Aquifer Louisiana and South Central U.S. Aquifers Sparta Area Demographics, Water Use, Water Resources Potential Studies and Reports Conservation Efforts Hearings, Communications, and Commission Actions LA Groundwater Resources Division and its Sparta-Related Actions Sparta Area Legislators Louisiana Water Law New! Watch our Sparta Conservation Video	The Sparta Aquifer is a confined aquifer that covers south Arkansas and North Louisiana.  It is the primary source of water for many county, parish, municipal and industrial water systems.  Because the Sparta provides clean cool water, it is an excellent source of water for many purposes. Water enters the Sparta primarily from outcrop areas in the western part of the Sparta region from the Arkansas line in North Bossier Parish to Winn Parish, including Webster and Bienville Parishes. Industry and municipalities began withdrawing ground water from the Sparta aquifer in the early 1900's. Prior to that time, water levels were well above the top of the Sparta Sand. By the 1940's the rate of withdrawal was exceeding the aquifer's natural recharge rate, and substantial declines in water levels began to be documented by the USGS in the 1980's (Nelson and McWreath). "Cones of depression" have formed beneath major pumping centers (Monroe-West Monroe, Ruston, and Jonesboro-Hodge). Some wells may pump water at a slower rate or not at all if the water level is lower than the pump. In a heavily pumped area, naturally occurring salt water may be pulled into pumps. In some soils, excessive dewatering can lead to irreversible compaction, reducing the aquifer’s ability to be recharged.
Sparta logo design courtesy of Rick Hohlt © 2007 Sparta Ground Water Conservation District Commission