Water resource studies often include large-scale Basin Analysis and Aquifer Characterization. These studies typically involve the assessment of the potential for groundwater development in a geographic area, and usually address potential impacts of new or continued groundwater utilization.
Converse assigns an experienced hydrogeologist or engineer to each project to facilitate successful performance from initial planning, field testing, and data analysis to well field development and monitoring. Converse reviews available references, well logs, and other hydrogeologic and geologic data to identifying potential well locations. This approach is commonly the most cost-effective for an initial evaluation.
Characterization of existing groundwater resources is a first step for many groundwater utilization activities:
What geologic and hydrogeologic factors affect groundwater circulation?
What is the annual water budget of an area?
How the groundwater resource currently being used (human and ecosystem use)?
What adverse impacts might occur from excessive utilization of groundwater?
Converse's staff of highly trained and experienced geologists and hydrogeologists employ computer-assisted groundwater modeling and other investigative and quantitative evaluations to address groundwater resource issues. Converse has an extensive library of computer models to simulate groundwater conditions and to evaluate potential groundwater supply or quality changes over time. Converse also incorporates advanced data management systems using GIS technology, which are used to develop organized visualization of geologic, hydrogeologic, hydraulic and contaminant information for more detailed analyses. Whether a project requires decisions to be made based on existing information or the collection of new or additional information, Converse professionals have extensive experience in the use of aerial photograph interpretation, fracture trace analysis, and geophysical measurements. This information can be used to facilitate assessment of the hydrogeologic characteristics of an aquifer or an entire basin, and allow the proper design and recommendations for required infrastructure and resource management.
A hydrologic budget may be developed - this is an assessment of the natural, water resource inputs (such as precipitation, groundwater inflow, stream flow, etc.) and outputs (evaporation, groundwater outflow, pumpage, stream flow, etc.) for a geographic area or basin. In conjunction with an assessment of local aquifer properties, a hydrologic budget is a commonly-used tool for water resource feasibility studies. The magnitude of withdrawal for a water utilization project is evaluated; often, the seasonality or timing of a proposed withdrawal may also be important for protection of water-dependent natural resources. Impacts upon wetlands, threatened or endangered species, critical habitat, and other sensitive, water-related environmental features may also be important for a water resource utilization feasibility study.
In the Western United States, water withdrawal may be controlled by allocated water rights. In the Eastern United States, water allocation may be controlled based upon assessed, safe yield and assessed, potential impacts upon existing water users and water-dependent natural resources.
Land use surveys are often performed to assess current water use, groundwater withdrawals, and potential impacts to water sources within a groundwater basin. Especially in the Western United States, the status of water rights in a basin may be examined to determine availability and potential regulatory issues. Based on their status, water rights can be evaluated for their availability for transfer or purchase. Appropriate applications for water rights can then be prepared and filed.
Water resource studies often include large-scale Basin Analysis and Aquifer Characterization. These studies typically involve the assessment of the potential for groundwater development in a geographic area, and usually address potential impacts of new or continued groundwater utilization.
Converse's staff of highly trained and experienced geologists and hydrogeologists employ computer-assisted groundwater modeling and other investigative and quantitative evaluations to address groundwater resource issues. Converse has an extensive library of computer models to simulate groundwater conditions and to evaluate potential groundwater supply or quality changes over time. Converse also incorporates advanced data management systems using GIS technology, which are used to develop organized visualization of geologic, hydrogeologic, hydraulic and contaminant information for more detailed analyses. Whether a project requires decisions to be made based on existing information or the collection of new or additional information, Converse professionals have extensive experience in the use of aerial photograph interpretation, fracture trace analysis, and geophysical measurements. This information can be used to facilitate assessment of the hydrogeologic characteristics of an aquifer or an entire basin, and allow the proper design and recommendations for required infrastructure and resource management.
A hydrologic budget may be developed - this is an assessment of the natural, water resource inputs (such as precipitation, groundwater inflow, stream flow, etc.) and outputs (evaporation, groundwater outflow, pumpage, stream flow, etc.) for a geographic area or basin. In conjunction with an assessment of local aquifer properties, a hydrologic budget is a 
commonly-used tool for water resource feasibility studies. The magnitude of withdrawal for a water utilization project is evaluated; often, the seasonality or timing of a proposed withdrawal may also be important for protection of water-dependent natural resources. Impacts upon wetlands, threatened or endangered species, critical habitat, and other sensitive, water-related environmental features may also be important for a water resource utilization feasibility study.
Land use surveys are often performed to assess current water use, groundwater withdrawals, and potential impacts to water sources within a groundwater basin. Especially in the Western United States, the status of water rights in a basin may be examined to determine availability and potential regulatory issues. Based on their status, water rights can be evaluated for their availability for transfer or purchase. Appropriate applications for water rights can then be prepared and filed.