PREFACE


   In the planning and preparation of this report we have tried to present the essential information that would provide a brief, concise description of the water resources of the Econfina Creek basin area. The report was designed to supply answers to general questions of the many people interested in the water resources of the basin. Other reports on particular aspects of the water resources of the basin will present more detailed information about a phase of the hydrology or geology of the basin. This report is intended to furnish the background from which the reader may refer to the phase reports for more. definitive treatments of a particular subject.
   Special phases of the water resources of the basin will be featured in reports on: Deer Point Lake; The Deadening area of southeastern Washington County; geology and aquifers of Bay County; and a quantitative study of ground water in the Panama City area. In addition, the basic data available through the period of investigation will be published in the information circular series of the Florida Geological Survey.
   This report was prepared by the Water Resources Division of the U. S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Florida Geological Survey. The investigation was under the general supervision of Robert 0. Vernon, Director, Division of Geology, State Board of Conservation; A. 0. Patterson, district engineer, Surface Water Branch; C. S. Conover, district engineer, Ground Water Branch; and K. A. Mac Kichan, district engineer, Quality of Water Branch, of the U. S. Geological Survey.
   A number of individuals and organizations have been most generous in supplying information, equipment, and time in the process of collecting data for this report. The courtesies extended by the following persons are most appreciated: W. C. Cooper of W. C. Cooper Plumbing and Heating Co.; H. L. Berkstresser and W. H. Galloway of the Water and Sewage Department of Panama City; G. Layman, construction engineer for Gulf Power Co.; W. H. Toske and M. G. Southall of the U. S. Navy Mine Defense Laboratory; R. B. Nixon and J. L. Gore of the Tyndall Air Force Base water department; J. M. Lowery and T. M. Jones of the International Paper Co.; A. G. Symons and R. H. Brown of the Layne-Central Co.; W. Brown of the Brown Well and Pump Co.; and J. W. Spiva of Modem Water Inc.
   Data on the chloride content in water from Deer Point Lake during the period of freshening were furnished by the Florida State Board of Health.