HR: 15:00h
AN: H53G-05    [Abstracts]
TI: A Groundwater flow Model of the Colorado River Delta to Support Riparian Habitat Restoration in Northern Mexico
AU: * Maddock, T
EM: Eden@hwr.arizona.edu
AF: University of Arizona, Department of Hydrology 1133 E james E Rogers Way, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
AU: Feirstein, E
EM: eden@hwr.arizona.edu
AF: University of Arizona, Department of Hydrology 1133 E james E Rogers Way, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
AU: Baird, K J
EM: kbaird@hwr.arizona.edu
AF: University of Arizona, Department of Hydrology 1133 E james E Rogers Way, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
AU: Ajami, H
EM: hajami@hwr.arizona.edu
AF: University of Arizona, Department of Hydrology 1133 E james E Rogers Way, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
AB: Quantification of groundwater flow dynamics and of the interactions among groundwater, surface water, and riparian vegetation, represent key components in the development of a balanced restoration plan for functional riparian ecosystems. A groundwater model was developed using MODFLOW 2000 to support of riparian restoration along the Colorado River Delta (Mexico: Baja California, Sonora). The Colorado River is widely recognized as one of the most modified and allocated rivers in the United States. For over 50 years flows into the Delta were severely reduced by the requirements of an emergent American West. However, subsequent to discharge pulses associated with the filling of Lake Powell, and the increased precipitation that accompanied ENSO cycles, a semblance of a native riparian habitat has been observed in the Delta since the 1980's (Zamora- Arroyo et al. 2001). The Delta and the riparian ecosystems of the region have since become the focus of a substantial body of multidisciplinary research. The research goal is to understand water table dynamics with particular attention to stream-aquifer interactions and groundwater behavior in the root zone. Groundwater reliant transpiration requirements were quantified for a set of dominant native riparian species using the Riparian ET (RIP-ET) package, an improved MODFLOW evapotranspiration (ET) module. RIP-ET simulates ET using a set of eco-physiologically based curves that more accurately represents individual plant species, reflects habitat complexity, and deals spatially with plant and water table distribution. When used in conjunction with a GIS based postprocessor (RIP-GIS.net), RIP-ET provides the basis for mapping groundwater conditions as they relate to user-specified plant groups. This explicit link between groundwater and plant sustainability is a driver to restoration design and allows for scenario modeling of various hydrologic conditions. Groundwater requirements determined in this research will be used by the international non-profit organizations, The Sonoran Institute and Environmental Defense, to implement large-scale planting activities within the riparian corridor, and to secure instream flow rights for the Colorado River Delta from the Mexican Government.
DE: 1800 HYDROLOGY
DE: 1818 Evapotranspiration
DE: 1829 Groundwater hydrology
DE: 1880 Water management (6334)
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2007 Joint Assembly