2007 Ground Water Summit

Tuesday, May 1, 2007 : 10:20 a.m.

The Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act: Program Objectives and Status

Karl Wood, New Mexico State University, Sharon Megdal, University of Arizona, Ari Michelsen, Texas A & M University and James E. Stefanov, U.S. Geological Survey WRD

      Declining aquifers and increasing use of U.S.-Mexico border groundwater resources by municipal and other water users have raised serious concerns about long-term availability, however, knowledge about the extent, depletion rates, quality, and solute movement of these transboundary aquifers is inadequate.  The purpose of this program is to initiate and conduct binational scientific research to systematically assess priority transboundary aquifers and provide a scientific foundation for state and local officials to address pressing water resource challenges in the United States-Mexico border region.  Investigations to improve the state of knowledge of transboundary aquifers will be conducted in close collaboration with the United States Geological Survey, border Water Resources Research Institutes, Sandia National Laboratory and appropriate state agencies and Mexican counterparts.

       Scientists from New Mexico State University, Texas A&M University System, University of Arizona, U.S. Geological Survey, Sandia National Laboratory, other universities, and Mexican counterparts will collect new and existing data and develop computer models to:
·        Develop high-quality, comprehensive, binational ground-water quantity and quality databases.
·        Develop and improve ground-water flow models for bi-national aquifers to facilitate regional water-resource assessment and planning.
·        Characterize the extent of border aquifers and assess movement and interaction of water resources.   
·        Develop hydrogeologic maps of both surficial and bedrock deposits
·        Analyze trends in ground-water quality, including salinity, nutrients, toxics, and pathogens.
·        Apply the new data and models to evaluate strategies to protect water quality and enhance supplies.

 

 

 


The 2007 Ground Water Summit