The problems associated with agricultural water use are arranged in this technology assessment in terms of the water cycle of the United States. This water cycle begins with a source, proceeds to a use, and terminates with a discharge. After providing background and context for the broad range of agricultural water problems, the report details some especially important first-order and higher-order impacts which result from current national policies and practices. The selected impacts focus on the withdrawal of groundwater and the diversion of surface water for agricultural use.