Effect of Urbanization and Mining to an Alluvial Aquifer in Central Texas

The Brazos River Alluvium aquifer near Waco, Texas is exemplary of an aquifer that has been physically impacted by anthropological influences. These physical impacts are largely due to urbanization, which covers recharge areas with less permeable surfaces restricting groundwater development, and mining, which removes aquifer framework. The extraction of sand and gravel has removed some of the most productive areas within the aquifer and either left the aquifer directly exposed to surface impacts or replaced with other materials. Surface mining that removes aquifer framework directly affects aquifer functionality and regulations may not require the necessary restoration. Aquifer restoration has predominantly been studied from a groundwater water quality prospective with minimal research focused on physical degradation. Aquifer restoration that targets physical degradation may be equally important in managing groundwater resources for the future. In order to restore aquifer functionality, the anthropological effects were first identified then quantified.  Assessment of the impacts and potential solutions for restoring the Brazos River Alluvium aquifer were investigated using GIS, remote sensing, and modeling.  Geospatial information was derived using GIS and remote sensing techniques while model inputs were collected from laboratory analysis of unconsolidated materials, data collected from the field, and previously published data.  The results from the Brazos River Alluvium aquifer study are representative of similar shallow aquifer systems impacted by surface excavation.