Researchers at the University of Oregon have made a groundbreaking discovery, finding an enormous underground aquifer in the Cascades that holds over 21 trillion gallons of water – roughly three times the capacity of Lake Mead. This significant find has the potential to alleviate drought conditions in Oregon, particularly for cities like Eugene and Springfield, which heavily rely on the McKenzie River for drinking water.
The aquifer acts as a large water tank, replenished by snowpack as water flows out. This discovery is both a relief for Oregonians struggling with ongoing droughts and an opportunity for scientists to better understand how volcanoes have shaped the region’s geography.
Source: https://kval.com/news/local/university-of-oregon-researchers-find-huge-buried-aquifer-atop-oregon-cascades