scholarly journals Mesilla/Conejos-Médanos Basin: U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Water Resources

Water ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 134
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Robertson ◽  
Anne-Marie Matherne ◽  
Jeff D. Pepin ◽  
Andre B. Ritchie ◽  
Donald S. Sweetkind ◽  
...  

Synthesizing binational data to characterize shared water resources is critical to informing binational management. This work uses binational hydrogeology and water resource data in the Mesilla/Conejos-Médanos Basin (Basin) to describe the hydrologic conceptual model and identify potential research that could help inform sustainable management. The Basin aquifer is primarily composed of continuous basin-fill Santa Fe Group sediments, allowing for transboundary throughflow. Groundwater flow, however, may be partially or fully restricted by intrabasin uplifts and limited recharge. The shallow groundwater in the Rio Grande alluvium receives recharge from the Rio Grande and responds to changes in water supply and demand. About 11% of Rio Grande alluvial groundwater volume is recharged annually, an amount that is less than recent withdrawals. Potentially recoverable fresh to slightly brackish groundwater was estimated at 82,600 cubic hectometers in the U.S. portion of the Basin and 69,100 cubic hectometers in the Mexican portion. Alluvial groundwater geochemistry is governed by the evaporative concentration of the Rio Grande and agricultural diversions, whereas deeper groundwater geochemistry is governed by mixing and geochemical processes. Continued refinements to storage estimates, the water budget, and deep groundwater extent and geochemistry can improve estimates of sustainable use and inform alternative water sources.

Author(s):  
Violeta Cabello ◽  
David Romero ◽  
Ana Musicki ◽  
Ângela Guimarães Pereira ◽  
Baltasar Peñate

AbstractThe literature on the water–energy–food nexus has repeatedly signaled the need for transdisciplinary approaches capable of weaving the plurality of knowledge bodies involved in the governance of different resources. To fill this gap, Quantitative Story-Telling (QST) has been proposed as a science for adaptive governance approach that aims at fostering pluralistic and reflexive research processes to overcome narrow framings of water, energy, and food policies as independent domains. Yet, there are few practical applications of QST and most run on a pan-European scale. In this paper, we apply the theory of QST through a practical case study regarding non-conventional water sources as an innovation for water and agricultural governance in the Canary Islands. We present the methods mixed to mobilize different types of knowledge and analyze interconnections between water, energy, and food supply. First, we map and interview relevant knowledge holders to elicit narratives about the current and future roles of alternative water resources in the arid Canarian context. Second, we run a quantitative diagnosis of nexus interconnections related to the use of these resources for irrigation. This analysis provides feedback to the narratives in terms of constraints and uncertainties that might hamper the expectations posed on this innovation. Thirdly, the mixed analysis is used as fuel for discussion in participatory narrative assessment workshops. Our experimental QST process succeeded in co-creating new knowledge regarding the water–energy–food nexus while addressing some relational and epistemological uncertainties in the development of alternative water resources. Yet, the extent to which mainstream socio-technical imaginaries surrounding this innovation were transformed was rather limited. We conclude that the potential of QST within sustainability place-based research resides on its capacity to: (a) bridge different sources of knowledge, including local knowledge; (b) combine both qualitative and quantitative information regarding the sustainable use of local resources, and (c) co-create narratives on desirable and viable socio-technical pathways. Open questions remain as to how to effectively mobilize radically diverse knowledge systems in complex analytical exercises where everyone feels safe to participate.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 4254
Author(s):  
Yutong Tian ◽  
Chunhui Li ◽  
Yujun Yi ◽  
Xuan Wang ◽  
Anping Shu

With the development of industrial and agricultural production and the social economy, the demand for water resources has gradually increased. In this paper, based on the principles of system dynamics, a sustainable water resources utilization model with coupled water quality and quantity is established using STELLA software to assess the sustainable use of water resources. The model includes two modules: a water supply module and a water quality module. The water supply module includes four sub-systems: economy, population, water supply, and water demand. The water quality module consists of an environmental sub-system. The model is suitable for Tianjin, where water resources are scarce. Calibration is performed using data from 2013–2016, and verification is performed using data from 2017. The simulation results are good. In order to compare the sustainable use of water resources in different development scenarios in Tianjin for 2025, a sensitivity analysis is performed for each variable, and four decision variables are selected to establish four water resources use scenarios (Scenarios 1–4). The results show that, compared with scenario 1, water shortages in scenarios 2 and 3 are delayed. Scenario 4, with stable economic growth and environmental consideration, can effectively resolve the contradiction between water supply and demand in the future, and is more conducive to the improvement of water quality. Finally, based on the above research, measures to solve water resources problems are proposed, in order to provide a reference for the sustainable use of water resources and optimization of water resources allocation in Tianjin.


2012 ◽  
Vol 518-523 ◽  
pp. 4165-4170
Author(s):  
Xiao Yu Song ◽  
Huai You Li ◽  
Wen Juan Shi

In this paper, based on the fact of water resources shortage, environmental degradation in Chanba River basin, using multi-objective optimization theory, we established the ecology-oriented water resources optimal allocation model and achieved the coupling between water quantity and quality. According to supply and demand of water resources in two levels of years (2020, 2030) and the guaranteed rate 75%, developed model parameters (coefficients), called the optimization function to solve it. The model is applied to Chanba River basin, indicating that the model is reasonable, efficient algorithms The optimal allocation model and the results reflect the concept of sustainable development for ecological, economic efficiency and help to improve water supply reliability, the sustainable use of water resources planning and management provides a basis for decision making.


Author(s):  
Marlene Yara Tenório Soares de Oliveira ◽  
Marcia Regina Farias da Silva

This research aimed to identify water resources management strategies in extreme drought event scenarios in the municipality of Lucrécia, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), in the period 2012 to 2018. As a methodological procedure, a bibliographical and documentary, in addition to field research, with interviews with municipal managers and residents. A photographic record of the study area was also carried out. It was found that, in the city, there is a folder dedicated to water resources that guides water management and is the basis for the adoption of measures aimed at municipal supply in times of difficult access to water, due to the reduction in water availability. It was observed that part of the interviewed population understands the drought as responsible for the difficulties faced in the city, mainly about the reduction of the water level in the reservoir. It was found that, of the 52 towns belonging to the hydrographic basin of the Apodi-Mossoró river, only 10 participate in the meetings of the basin committee, the municipality of Lucrécia does not have representatives on the Committee. This finding deserves special consideration since water and the administration of its multiple applications are generators of conflicts, it highlights the importance of understanding how municipalities in the Semiarid region carry out the management of water resources and how they understand the challenges of coexistence with its area, aiming at the sustainable use of water.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marium Sara Minhas Bandeali

Water governance and management are important challenges for the River Indus Basin in Pakistan. Water governance refers to social, political and economic factors that influence water management. The water scarcity and water security are a major concern for the state to control its water resources. The study aims to give Sindh water policy by exploring the challenges to Indus Basin in managing water resources and to identify opportunities Indus Basin can look to improve water management. Interviews were conducted from water experts and analysts having 5 years’ experience or more in the water sector of Pakistan through a semi-structured self-developed questionnaire using purposive sampling technique and transcripts were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The findings show that increasing population, climatic change and rising demand of water are major challenges Indus is facing and Indus with time is getting water-scarce therefore need strong institutions, civil society and legislatures to ensure equitable distribution of water and maintain the ecosystem. The study emphasizes that water governance and management are necessary for sustainable use of water. Pakistan, the water stress country needs to address ‘governance’ at a wider scale to solve problems in the Indus Basin for the livelihood of people. The research will benefit the state, water experts, institutions as well as civil society to promote efficient use of water in Indus Basin.


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