Texas Water Journal (TWJ - Texas Digital Library, TDL E-Journals)
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Implications of 3 alternative management policies on groundwater levels in the Texas High Plains
No full textGroundwater supply in the Ogallala Aquifer is diminishing at an unsustainable rate, which is affecting the crop and animal production in the region. The desired future condition adopted by the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District states that at least 40% of the volume of groundwater should remain in the Ogallala Aquifer after 50 years in Dallam, Sherman, Hartley, and Moore counties. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of 3 proposed groundwater management policies on future groundwater levels using a calibrated MODFLOW model. The 3 groundwater management policies considered are permanent conversion of 10% of the total irrigated area to dryland production, temporary conversion of 10% of the total irrigated area to dryland production for the first 15 years, and adoption of advances in biotechnology that allow groundwater use reductions at a rate of 1% per year during the next 50 years. Results indicated that if future average groundwater pumping rates are kept at 2010 withdrawal rates, then 50% of groundwater in the Ogallala Aquifer would remain in 50 years, thus meeting the groundwater district\u27s desired future condition in Dallam, Sherman, Hartley and Moore counties. The most favorable impact on diminishing depletion was obtained with the adoption of advances in biotechnology, which would leave 60% of groundwater remaining in 50 years in the study area. Similar results can be obtained if 1% of irrigated cropland is retired per year.
Citation: Hernández JE, Gowda PH, Marek TH, Howell TA, Ha W. 2015. Implications of 3 alternative management policies ongroundwater levels in the Texas High Plains. Texas Water Journal. 6(1):86-102. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21423/twj.v6i1.7005
Estimating E. coli and Enterococcus loads in a coastal Texas watershed
No full textPathogens are the principal cause of water body impairment for 303(d) listed waters in Texas and across the United States with 10,654 impairments nationally (TCEQ 2012; USEPA 2013). In Texas, 45% of 568 total impairments are caused by elevated bacteria levels (TCEQ 2012). Models such as the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and Hydrological Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF) have been used for assessing bacterial sources and loading. Other simplistic microbial models, such as the Potential Nonpoint Pollution Index (PNPI), Spatially Explicit Delivery MODel (SEDMOD), and Spatially Explicit Load Enrichment Calculation Tool (SELECT), have been developed to rank potential pollution impacts from nonpoint sources and identify critical areas primarily using land use and geomorphology.
Citation: Borel K, Karthikeyan R, Berthold TA, Wagner K. 2014. Estimating E. coli and Enterococcus loads in a coastal Texas watershed. Texas Water Journal. 6(1):33-44. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21423/twj.v6i1.7008
The price Texas pays for Mexico’s water debt
No full textThe Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas is not only a cultural gem but also a significant contributor to our state’s economy. Since the region is largely dependent upon the Rio Grande for its water supply, it is critical that those states and nations with which we share common borders comply with state, federal, and international agreements regarding the river. Since the early 1990s, Mexico has consistently failed to meet its obligations to the treaty signed in 1944 that allocates waters in the lower reach of the Rio Grande. Mexico’s repeated failure to comply with the treaty has caused severe economic hardship to Texas communities and farmers. Despite numerous efforts, Mexico continues to resist entering into a productive discussion and commitment to honor the treaty. A meaningful resolution to this issue will require active participation from the U.S. Department of State, the White House, and Texas officials.
Citation: Rubinstein C. 2015. The price Texas pays for Mexico\u27s water debt. Texas Water Journal. 6(1):1-10. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21423/twj.v6i1.7015
Texas water policy appendix: the weather
No full textThe climate of Texas makes our state particularly susceptible to droughts, floods, and hurricanes. Weather events over the past 150 years have resulted in policy changes at the state and federal level that have helped us prepare for, respond to, and prevent weather disasters. Many of these efforts have been successful; however, continuous planning and improvement will be necessary to meet the needs of our growing population. Recent droughts and floods have demonstrated that traditional infrastructure must work in tandem with early forecasting and warning systems, which will require effective policies at both the state and federal level to support them along with citizen engagement.
Citation: Rubinstein C. 2015. Texas water policy appendix: the weather. Texas Water Journal. 6(1):121-135. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21423/twj.v6i1.7015
Who regulates it? Water policy and hydraulic fracturing in Texas
No full textHydraulic fracturing, the injection of a pressurized fluid mixture of mostly water, sand and a small amount of chemicals (frac fluids), increases extraction rates and recovery of oil or gas. The technique has become increasingly popular when used in combination with horizontal drilling, especially in Texas shale formations. Hydraulic fracturing often requires thousands of cubic meters of water per well. Access to water might be challenging due to water scarcity, allocation policies, price, location, and competition for water. In this policy analysis, we conducted a detailed bottom-up survey for each groundwater conservation district to catalog and assess the prevailing policies and practices related to water and hydraulic fracturing, focusing on the ways in which the State of Texas regulates the use of fresh and non-freshwater for hydraulic fracturing. We find that policies are inconsistent statewide with great variability from district to district in regulations and potential solutions to the challenge of freshwater use. From this analysis, we provide information on the practice of hydraulic fracturing and examine strategies for reducing freshwater use through recycling and use of non-freshwater. In this report, we present the current water policy framework and alternative solutions.
Citation: Cook MA, Huber KL, Webber ME. 2015. Who regulates it? Water policy and hydraulic fracturing in Texas. Texas Water Journal. 6(1):45-63. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21423/twj.v6i1.7021
Book review: Sharing the common pool: water rights in the everyday lives of Texans
No full textCitation: Mace RE. 2015. Sharing the common pool: water rights in the everyday lives of Texans. Texas Water Journal. 6(1):64-66. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21423/twj.v6i1.7024
Residential outdoor water use in one East Texas community
No full textMunicipalities continue to implement efforts to encourage water conservation among residents. Landscape irrigation has been central to many of those conservation efforts. Reference evapotranspiration data is a tool that can be used in determining the appropriate amount of water to apply to amenity landscapes. Monthly water-use data for 3 years was examined in 1 neighborhood in Huntsville, Texas. The irrigated area for 1,229 residents was calculated and used to determine the depth of monthly irrigation for each residence. Replacement of 100% of local reference evapotranspiration data, minus rainfall, was used as a determinant of how much water to apply to the landscape each month for 3 years. Potential over-irrigation for each month was then compiled. Data expressed that over-irrigation was occurring among 99.51% of residents, of which 12% of these residents over-irrigated by at least 100,000 gallons in at least 1 month during the 36 month study. In 2011, the entire neighborhood of study over-irrigated by 21.2 million gallons. Outdoor water use accounted for 64% of the total water use by households. Average indoor water usage was 4,302 gallons per month. Based on the data overall, greater conservation efforts in landscape irrigation are crucial for Texas residents if water demands are to be met in the 21st century.
Citation: Pannkuk TR, Wolfskill LA. 2015. Residential outdoor water use in one East Texas community. Texas Water Journal. 6(1):79-85. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21423/twj.v6i1.7009
Groundwater use in the Eagle Ford Shale: some policy recommendations
No full textAdvances in hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and horizontal drilling have allowed oil and gas companies to tap into Texas’ previously inaccessible shale reserves. Fracking in the state has grown at an exponential rate and is not expected to decline until 2025. Fracking requires the consumption of vast amounts of groundwater, a resource that is already strained. This study quantifies the water consumption associated with fracking in the Eagle Ford Shale, evaluates the current regulatory framework, and proposes 3 policy recommendations. The data show that fracking has become the primary consumer of groundwater in the most active counties within the Eagle Ford. Our study proposes 3 policy solutions to ensure that groundwater is consumed in an economically efficient manner in these areas. These solutions are a more thorough system for reporting consumption, tax incentives for oil and gas companies to use substitutes for fresh groundwater, and an alternative property rights system to the current rule of capture system.
Citation: Steadman M, Arnett B, Healy K, Jiang Z, David LeClere, Leslie McLaughlin, Roberts J. 2015. Groundwater use in the Eagle Ford Shale: some policy recommendations. Texas Water Journal. 6(1):67-78. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21423/twj.v6i1.7023
Spatial and temporal effects of the Rincon Bayou Pipeline on hypersaline conditions in the Lower Nueces Delta, Texas, USA
No full textThe Rincon Bayou Pipeline became operational in 2007 and delivers Nueces River water to the Nueces Delta via the Rincon Bayou. Salinity was monitored during 3 pumping events to identify the spatial and temporal effects of the pumped freshwater to the Rincon Bayou Channel and to areas outside of the channel proper. The spatial extent of the pumped freshwater lowered salinity beyond the Rincon Bayou Channel to connecting marsh areas and salinities remained below hypersaline levels 8 to 16 days after pumping ceased. The results of this new and innovative way of delivering freshwater to the Nueces Delta has proved to be a valuable management tool for minimizing the duration of hypersaline conditions within the estuary. Water resource management decision-makers can use this information for developing strategies to optimize freshwater inflow needs to the estuary while balancing the freshwater demands for humans.
Citation: Hill EM, Tunnell JW, Nicolau BA. 2014. Spatial and temporal effects of the Rincon Bayou Pipeline on hypersaline conditions in the Lower Nueces Delta, Texas, USA. Texas Water Journal. 6(1):11-32. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21423/twj.v6i1.6998
84th Texas State Legislature: summaries of water-related legislative action
No full textEditor-in-Chief’s Note: September 1 of every odd-numbered year is the date when new legislation from the most recent session of the Texas Legislature session typically goes into effect. With this in mind, the Texas Water Journal invited 4 organizations that work closely with the Texas Legislature to provide their take on the changes to Texas water policy and law that were made during the 2015 session. The opinions expressed in these summaries are the opinions of the individual organizations and not the opinion of the Texas Water Journal or the Texas Water Resources Institute.Organizations:• Texas Water Conservation Association• Sierra Club, Lone Star Chapter• Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts• Texas Water Infrastructure Network
Citation: Robbins D, Steinbach SA, Kramer K, Schlessinger SR, Fowler PL. 2015. 84th Texas State Legislature: summaries ofwater-related legislative action. Texas Water Journal. 6(1):103-120. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21423/twj.v6i1.7030