Interaction of surface water and groundwater and its implications in water conservation

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Interaction of surface water and groundwater and
its implications in water conservation
Z. Sheng, TAES, TAMU J.P. King, NMSU
Rio Grande Basin Initiative Alpine, Texas April
12-14, 2005
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Outline

• Objectives
• Accomplishment
• Future work plan

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Objectives

• Better understanding of surface water and ground
  water interaction
• Better understanding of impacts of drought on the
  regional water resources system
• Better assessment of water conservation and
  improvement of delivery efficiency by lining
  canals

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Accomplishment- New data collection

• Additional seepage losses data
• GPS verified gage stations
• Additional canal and drains coverage (with Dr.
  Fipps)
• Well information and ground water pumpage

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Accomplishment - Improved Model Configuration

• Add more canals and drains in Mexico side into
  GFLOW 2000
• Explored different pumping scenarios
• Evaluated impacts of groundwater pumping on SW/GW
  interaction

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Accomplishment -Enhanced Cooperation with
Irrigation Districts

• Enhance data access and sharing among four
  irrigation districts in the region
• Improve real-time data collection capacity
• Strengthen QA/QC of data collection

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Accomplishment - Leveraged support and funding

• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• International Boundary and Water Commission
• El Paso County Water Improvement District No.1
• El Paso Water Utilities and
• Elephant Butte Irrigation District

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Future Work Plan

• Develop a protocol/ an approach for
  identification of sections of canals with high
  seepage losses.
• Collect hydrogeological and water quality data
  for assessment of groundwater availability and
  for further development of water resources
  database and GIS website
• Incorporate new data into the numerical models to
  evaluate different alternative for water
  conservation.
• Continue to work with irrigation districts on the
  GIS and the decision support system to improve
  water delivery efficiency.

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Future Work Plan

• Outcome
• Water conservation by lining canals and laterals
  in the districts
• A better cooperation among regional water
  stakeholders by sharing information and
  developing water conservation strategies
  together.
• Measurements
• Publish one or two journal articles and a TWRI
  technical report on seepage losses.
• Share research findings with regional
  stakeholders through workshops and with
  scientists through presentations at national and
  regional conferences.

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Thank You!