Interactive Ground Water Visualization: Decision Support Tools to Empower Stakeholders

The preferred method of groundwater management in Texas is through individual Groundwater Conservation Districts.  The lack of a more comprehensive statewide management system is partly the result of public distrust of government combined with a history of individualism and strong private property rights.  These Groundwater Conservation Districts offer local or regional control of groundwater management which is usually preferred over statewide regulations.  As many of the Groundwater Conservation Districts develop, two major obstacles to efficient water management decisions have been identified.  First, the local governing boards need help understanding the complexity of hydrogeologic information.  Secondly, the public needs access to groundwater information and a feeling of empowerment in the decisions that affect their lives.  We have developed an interactive geovisualization toolset that combines a locally managed database with a web-based GIS system to address these problems. The McLennan County Groundwater Conservation District has partnered with researchers in several different departments at Baylor University to help develop web-based geovisualization tools for groundwater management.  The system, its development and examples of applications will be described with focus on innovative research and communication methods.