Hydrophile

Water Resources Party and Canoe Naming Contest

2009-10-07T11:46:00.000-07:00

On Friday, October 9, the Association of Water Professionals at UNM will be hosting a Water Resources Party at Bruce Thomson's house. All students, faculty, and friends of the Water Resources program are invited.

This will be a good opportunity for new, old, current students to meet and mingle with each other along with WRP faculty and friends.

We will also be having a canoe-naming contest for the new AWP canoe. Anyone is invited to submit a name that will be voted on at the party.

WRP hats, t-shirts, and other items will be on sale so bring your cash so you can show off your WRP gear!

For more information or if there are any questions, you can send an email to awp@unm.edu.

Water Resources Student Orientation Tonight

2009-08-20T08:50:00.000-07:00

From Bruce Thomson:

We will have an orientation meeting for Water Resources grad students this evening, 4/20, at 4:30 pm in Anderson School of Management room 1004. There are two groups of students who are strongly encouraged to come:

New students who need to learn about the program, our curriculum, and its administration.
Students planning to graduate in the next year who have forgotten all of the information presented in their own orientation that is absolutely essential for successful graduation. Remember, UNM shows no mercy for missed deadlines and uncompleted forms.

Rocky Mountain Young Professionals Networking Happy Hour

2009-08-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

There will be a happy hour for young professionals in the water and wastewater industries during the 2009 Rocky Mountain Section of the American Water Works Association and Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association Joint Annual Conference. It is a great opportunity to network with other water students and potential employers.

When: Monday, September 14, 5:00 pm
Where: Maloney's Tavern, 325 Central Ave. NW

RSVP to Jason at jmontoya@brwncald.com or 575-649-6685 by September 4.

Guild Cinema present water films by Basia Irland

2009-08-10T10:56:00.000-07:00

Basia Irland is an UNM Art and Art History emerita faculty member who has created a large body of artwork on the subject of water. As part of the LAND/ART festival taking place now in New Mexico, the Guild Cinema will feature seven of Basia's documentaries on water this Sunday, August 16, at noon and 2 pm.

See http://www.landartnm.org/guild-cinema.html for more details.

Technical Resources on Stream Corridor Restoration

2009-08-06T09:02:00.000-07:00

The Natural Resources Conservation Service Stream Corridor Team Workgroup has put together a collection of on-line resources on stream restoration. The site contains a wealth of information on this topic, including NRCS policy and guidance documents, useful links, publications, photographs and drawings of various practices and treatments, workshop information, and spreadsheet tools.

Check it out at: http://www.ndcsmc.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/Stream/

Comanche Creek Restoration Workshop - August 21-23

2009-08-03T12:24:00.000-07:00

Guest post by Megan Marsee:

This blog concerns this year's Comanche Creek restoration workshop, sponsored by the Quivira Coalition. KT Labadie and I attended this same workshop last year, and I would recommend it to any WR student interested in the use of in-stream structures to improve aquatic habitat and water quality.

The restoration work takes place on the lower reach of Comanche Creek, located in the Carson National Forest Valle Vidal Unit. The work focuses on reducing erosion to improve habitat for the Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout.

The river restoration methods that will be employed at the workshop were pioneered by Bill Zeedyk. His technique is called Induced Meandering. It uses artificial instream structures, manipulation of streambank vegetation, and the power of running water to expedite channel evolution and floodplain development. This year's workshop will involve installing post vanes and planting willows.

Several organizations have cooperated on this project over the past 7 years, so you have the chance to observe old erosion control structures and their impact on the creek. Though many attest to their efficacy, one of our own graduates, Ryan Weiss, examined the impact of in-stream structures for his Professional Project, and found that they had no significant impact on channel form. This is a chance to look at that question yourself, in one of New Mexico's most beautiful landscapes, with a great group of folks. The workshop takes place August 21-23. Contact Michael Bain mbain@quiviracoalition.org for info.

Room monitors needed for 2009 RMSAWWA/RMWEA Joint Annual Conference

2009-07-29T10:26:00.000-07:00

Guest Post from Bruce Thomson:

The Rocky Mountain Sections of the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Association are having their annual conference in Albuquerque from 9/14 to 9/16. It's a pretty darn good conference with about 100 presentations and perhaps 700 attendees.

We're looking for students to serve as room monitors. Students who moderate a half day session will be given free attendance for one day.

Contact Bruce at bthomson@unm.edu if you're interested.

More conference info is available at: http://www.rmsawwa.net/

Program for the 2009 New Mexico Water Research Symposium just posted

2009-07-29T10:11:00.000-07:00

The New Mexico Water Research Symposium is an annual technical research symposium that attracts about 200 water experts from around the state to discuss their latest research and technological developments relevant to water resources. This year's symposium will be held on August 11, at New Mexico Tech's Macey Center.

You can find the symposium program at: http://wrri.nmsu.edu/conf/tc09/program.html

Register to attend at: http://wrri.nmsu.edu/conf/tc09/symposium.html

Climate change will cost New Mexico, especially if we don't reduce emissions

2009-07-27T07:58:00.000-07:00

Our own Janie Chermak and Kristine Grimsrud, Professor and Assistant Professor, respectively, at the UNM Department of Economics, and Bob Doppelt, Director of Resource Innovations and the Climate Leadership Initiative at the Institute for a Sustainable Environment, University of Oregon, published an Op-Ed in Sunday's Albuquerque Journal titled Climate Change Will Cost, No Matter What.

The article summarizes conclusions from a new study that estimated the costs of climate change to New Mexico.

If no action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is taken, the minimum annual cost to each New Mexico household is estimated to be $3,430 by 2020, $5,410 by 2040, and as high as $12,000 by 2080. The costs of climate change include the wide-ranging economic impacts that would result from decreased surface water flows.

The take-home message is that the longer we wait to confront the problem of climate change, the more costly climate change becomes to New Mexicans.

The full article is highly recommended.

OU International WaTER Conference on Oct. 26-27

2009-07-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

The University of Oklahoma International WaTER Conference will be held in Norman, Oklahoma, on October 26-27, 2009. The conference will focus on technical, sociological, cultural, and legal aspects of water and sanitation in developing countries.

A plenary lecture will be offered by the first OU International WaTER Prize recipient, Dr. Steve Luby. In addition, keynote lectures will be given by:

Dr. Jamie Bartram, WHO-Geneva / UNC
Dr. George Greene, Water Missions International
Dr. Rob Quick, The CDC
Dr. Steve Silliman, Notre Dame

After the conference, a workshop on October 28 will provide hands-on instruction of water well drilling and sustainable pump technologies appropriate for emerging regions.

Conference registration is $190. See water.ou.edu for more details.

Otero County to grow cattails in wastewater effluent for use as biofuel

2009-07-21T09:26:00.000-07:00

The Otero County Commission voted on July 16, 2009, to provide $20,000 to a feasibility study on using cattails for biofuel. As part of the study, Sustainable Technology Systems, Inc., will grow test beds of cattails near the Alamagordo and Tularosa wastewater treatment facilities. According to the company's proposal, the feasibility study objectives are to:

Confirm remediation of effluent in the growing beds through water testing samples
Evaluate water and soil levels for optimum stalk growth
Evaluate water and soil levels for optimum rhizome growth
Confirm remediation of effluent in the growing tanks through water testing samples
Standardize a data collection protocol for evaluating remediation

For more details on this project to use wastewater for energy crop development, see the article Cattails to fuel? in the Alamogordo Daily News, or the Otero County Commission's July 16th Agenda.

2009 New Mexico Water Research Symposium will take place on August 11th

2009-07-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

The Water Resources Research Institute will be presenting the 2009 New Mexico Water Research Symposium on August 11th. This is a one-day technical research symposium that includes both oral and poster presentations. It will be held at the Macey Center on the New Mexico Tech campus.

This year the symposium will offer a special session on water resources modeling for New Mexico. Patricia Bobeck, the translator of Henry Darcy's major work, The Public Fountains of the City of Dijon, will present a keynote lecture that focuses on Darcy's life and scientific legacy. Several UNM Water Resources students will be presenting posters.

As in past years, the Research Symposium promises to be a great event, showcasing the water research that is being conducted in New Mexico. Don't miss it! You can register at http://wrri.nmsu.edu/conf/tc09/symposium.html. The registration fee is $20, and includes a reception, lunch, and a notebook with abstracts.

MRGCD Board election results

2009-06-03T12:29:00.000-07:00

Unofficial results from yesterday's Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Board elections are in - challengers roundly beat out incumbents, bringing significant change to the board's composition. Here are the results:

BERNALILLO COUNTY DIRECTOR:

Bill Turner - 1,062 (37.73%)
Karen Dunning - 1,753 (62.27%)

BERNALILLO COUNTY DIRECTOR:

Adrian Oglesby - 1,609 (55.66%)
Jim Roberts - 1,282 (44.34%)

SOCORRO COUNTY DIRECTOR:

Cecilia Rosacker-McCord - 172 (24.68%)
Glen Duggins - 122 (17.50%)
Chris Sichler - 269 (38.59%)
Joe M. Lopez - 134 (19.23%)

SANDOVAL COUNTY DIRECTOR:

Jimmy W. Wagner - 491 (29.60%)
Derrick J. Lente - 1,168 (70.40%)

See today's article "County challengers win in MRGCD election" in the New Mexico Independent for more details.

Water Resources Program & Water Assembly Sponsor Rio Grande Compact Forum TONIGHT

2009-04-16T13:13:00.000-07:00

The UNM Water Resources Program and the Water Assembly are sponsoring the fourth Annual Rio Grande Compact Forum tonight (Thursday, 4/16). This is a free public forum to discuss water delivery on the Rio Grande within the limitations of the Rio Grande Compact. Speakers are:

Rolf Schmidt-Peterson, Rio Grande Basin Manager, "The Rio Grande Compact, 2008 Accounting and 2009 Updates"
Dr. Julie Coonrod, Civil Engineering, University of New Mexico, "What Climate Change Means to Water Supplies in the Rio Grande and How it Might Impact the Compact"

Location: UNM Continuing Education Building, Room C, 1634 University Blvd.

Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Aquifer recharge projects catching on in water-strapped cities

2009-04-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

On April 2, the NY Times featured an article focused on our own own Bear Canyon Arroyo Recharge Demonstration Project:

"For about a mile, a steady stream of water flows down Bear Canyon before finally petering out in the sand near a golf course. The arroyo is not supposed to be wet this time of year; the spring snowmelt does not usually occur until later in the season. But under a new demonstration program, local water managers are diverting water from the Rio Grande and sending it down the arroyo, where it seeps through the riverbed into the aquifer 500 feet below."

Click here to read the full article.

Hiring in Hydrology Resists Slump

2009-03-23T14:46:00.000-07:00

Guest post by Dr. Bruce Thomson:

While the focus of this article is on hydrologists, I think it's a great time to be a water professional. Lots of REALLY interesting water challenges, though at the moment not enough money to address them properly. That'll change.

Remember - there are alternate sources of energy, carbon, most metals and other natural resources, but there is no substitute for water.

See "Hiring in Hydrology Resists Slump," by Eilene Zimmerman in the NY Times.

2009 Xeriscape Conference and Expo

2009-02-04T09:17:00.000-08:00

The 2009 Xeriscape Conference and Expo is coming up at the end of February.

For more details and to view the agenda and list of great speakers, visit www.xeriscapenm.com.

Students can attend the conference on the 26th and 27th for just 100 dollars, which is half price of the regular conference fee. Contact Scott Varner 505-468-1021 for the special student rate.

Is Deep Brakish Water a Sustainable Solution for New Mexico?

2008-12-02T09:17:00.000-08:00

Dr. Bruce Thomson, Director of our Water Resources Program, writes on this issue in a guest post over at Water Wired:

But before we allow development of this resource the residents of the state of New Mexico need to understand a little bit about this resource and the consequences of its development.

Most importantly, we must acknowledge that, with few exceptions, deep brackish groundwater supplies are not sustainable. Generally these aquifers contain water that was trapped in place by geologic events that occurred hundreds of thousands of years ago or longer. They receive little or no recharge from surface water sources such as infiltration from rainfall or percolation from streams and river.

Link to full article

Professional Project Defense: Ryan Weiss

2008-10-30T09:51:00.000-07:00

Fluvial Geomorphic Response to In-Stream Structures: The Effects of Design, Planning and Restoration of the Comanche Creek Catchment, New Mexico, USA

Date: November 12, 2008
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: SAAP, RM. 327

College: School of Architecture and Planning and University College
Department: Community and Regional Planning and Water Resources

Abstract

Anthropogenic impacts to the Comanche Creek catchment of northern New Mexico have resulted in impaired water quality and aquatic habitat for Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Federal and state policies promulgating collaborative, multi-stakeholder watershed-based restoration endeavors have driven the implementation of in-stream, riparian and upland treatments in the catchment. This research addresses restoration endeavors through a review of stream channel and watershed planning, policy and restoration. Drawing upon case studies from current literature, policies driving watershed restoration and the use of in-stream structures to improve aquatic habitat and water quality were reviewed. A stream hydrograph was extrapolated utilizing streamflow evaluations from a hydrologically similar gaged catchment. Analysis of fluvial geomorphic trends was completed through field observations and channel geometry surveys of cross-section, longitudinal profile and substrate throughout reaches impacted by in-stream structures. Trends in fluvial form and processes at discrete locations indicate response to present flow and sediment regimes. Downstream trends in channel geometry suggest overall disequilibrium within the catchment. Data does not reveal whether goals and objectives of in-stream structures and overall catchment restoration endeavors have been achieved. Monitoring over multiple spatial and temporal scales and a post-project appraisal are recommended for objective determination of success or failure of restoration endeavors. Critical data analysis and reporting to funding agencies by both restoration practitioners and scientists is proposed for policy review and development at federal and state levels to further refine collaborative watershed-based restoration endeavors.

Professional Project Defense: Krista M. Schultz

2008-10-30T09:46:00.000-07:00

Modeling Road Erosion in the Upper Torreon Wash: Coupling GIS and WEPP to Predict Sediment Detachment, Transport, and Delivery

Date: November 3, 2008
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Economics Building Room 1052

Abstract

Accurate prediction of sediment detachment, transport and delivery from road networks has historically been an expensive and time consuming task. The Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) soil erosion model, allows users to predict road erosion based on specific characteristics. The approach can be applied to specific climate conditions, multiple road designs, and unique attribute information. The methodology is applied to the upper Torreon Wash located in northwestern, New Mexico. Main roads and access routes within study area are evaluated to determine the estimated sediment delivery from unpaved roads. This study incorporates results from the WEPP model to determine what impact erosion is having on the area. Analysis is designed to identify areas of intense erosion, sediment delivery to stream systems, and a case study to determine the effects of past remediation efforts. Collected data is stored and organized using geographic information systems (GIS) to visualize the spatial component, while providing effective data management, analysis, and mapping capabilities within a geographic environment. The Upper Torreon Wash is experiencing severe erosion and findings suggest that remediation efforts can have a significant impact on reducing sediment loads from existing road networks.

Professional Project Defense: Christina Keleher

2008-10-30T09:37:00.000-07:00

Nitrate Contaminated Groundwater in Albuquerque's South Valley: Is Monitored Natural Attenuation an Appropriate Strategy?

Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Economics Bldg. Room 1052

Abstract

Nitrate contaminated groundwater in the South Valley of Albuquerque has been documented since the early 1960's. Over the past four decades, nitrate concentrations have declined, but are still significantly greater than the groundwater standard of 10 mg/L. Although the nitrate contaminated water no longer presents a human health threat to the residents of Mountain View, all groundwater in New Mexico that contains less than 10,000 ppm total dissolved solids and is subject to New Mexico groundwater standards and should be considered a potential future drinking water source. It may be argued that the nitrate plume is relatively stable and therefore monitored natural attenuation is a more appropriate and less costly alternative than remediation of the nitrate. The New Mexico Environment Department uses a process of risk based decision making to evaluate the risks to human health and the environment posed by leaking petroleum storage tanks. In addition to a comprehensive review of the history of the nitrate contaminated groundwater in Mountain View, and a review of government regulations pertaining to nitrate contamination of groundwater in NM, this professional project applied a modified risk assessment to determine whether the nitrate plume poses enough risk to future development to justify remediation. The risk assessment factored in receptors, pathways of exposure, fate and transport parameters as well as estimated characteristics of the nitrate plume, among other things. Taking into account the results of the risk assessment and current New Mexico regulations, the most prudent alternative, considering human health, is to remediate the contamination.

The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?

2008-10-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

Guest post from Bruce Thomson:

The UNM Utton Transboundary Resource Center and the UNM Water Resources Program are sponsoring a screening of James Thebaut's new film "The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?"

The screening will be held on November 11, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. in the UNM Centennial Engineering Center Auditorium. It will be preceded by a reception for the film maker at 5:30 in the Robert J. Stamm Study Commons in the same building. A panel discussion will follow the screening and will include James Thebaut, Prof. Paul Matthews (UNM Geography Dept.), Vince Tidwell (Sandia National Laboratories), and Tanya Trujillo (General Counsel, Interstate Stream Commission).

Arrangements have been made for free parking in the "B" lot at the NW corner of Central Ave. and University Blvd.

Please join us for this very exciting and thought provoking event. Please contact Sandy Gaines, Director of the Utton Center (gaines@law.unm.edu), or me (bthomson@unm.edu) if you have any questions.

Construction on Imperial Valley reservoir begins

2008-10-30T09:17:00.000-07:00

Guest post from Shawn Hardeman:

In 2005, Annelia, Doug and I did our WR571 group project on the lower Colorado River. In particular, we discussed salinity issues and water shortages. Since that time we have seen the desalination plant in Yuma fired up, the lining of the All-American Canal and now this reservoir (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-water22-2008oct22,0,6454616.story). Each event has or will have a profound negative effect on Mexico's agricultural industry and water quality/reliability. The Colorado river barely flows into Mexico as is - they get their allotment of the river water and the tap is literally turned off. To say that water is "lost" to Mexico is an understatement - Mexico is where we dump our slightly treated brine water. I visited Mexicali back in 1996 - it was in a sad state back then, with salt encrusted soils and widespread environmental degradation. I would hate to see it today with the fallout from these projects.

To add insult to injury - an Arizona company is looking at building a desalination plant at the Sea of Cortez. This proposed $40 billion plant would treat salt water and pump it to Phoenix Arizona. At some point we have to take a step back and ask ourselves - "how much abuse can one ecosystem take?" How many times can you rob Peter? Or, in this case Pedro. Only time will tell.

If I were an up and coming water resource specialist I would watch Yuma-Imperial Valley-Mexicali trifecta very closely. This is a very interesting case of "competing interests," even more so, than our Colorado-New Mexico-Texas system. Speaking of Texas, the USA may hold all the cards when it comes to the Colorado River; however, Mexico owns a greater portion of the Rio Grande headwaters (down towards Texas.) These are interesting times, and it's all because we need to grow alfalfa and have lettuce year round.

However, there is up side. A researcher from the U of Arizona has been researching the potential of farming the coastal plains surrounding the Sea of Cortez using salt water (see NYtimes "Man and the Sea.") The preferred crop is called Sea Asparagus and is considered a delicacy throughout the world. If successful, Mexico will not only benefit from this cash crop, but also the seeds, which can be processed into bio-fuel.

Great opportunity for student research support

2008-10-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

2008-09 Student Water Research Grant Program
New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute

This program is intended to encourage and support graduate and undergraduate student research in disciplines relevant to water resources issues. It is intended to help students initiate research projects or to supplement existing student projects in water resources research.

Each award is limited to a maximum of $5,000.

Budgets may include, but are not limited to, expenditures for student salaries, supplies, and travel.

Awards may be effective as early as December 1, 2008 and research projects should be completed by November 30, 2009.

Proposal deadline is November 16 , 2008 at 5:00pm MDT.

For more information, see: http://wrri.nmsu.edu/research/rfp/studentgrants08/strfp.html

Upcoming Professional Project Defense

2008-10-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

Mapping Ground Water Contamination in Albuquerque: Determination of Potential Threats to Public Water Supply

Jordan Wollak

October 22, 2008
10:00 am
Economic Building Room 1052

Abstract

The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority operates groundwater wells to provide drinking water to the residents of the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Proper management is needed to ensure that the residents have safe drinking water. This study focuses on particular water distribution trunk of the Albuquerque Water System which has lower values of arsenic in comparison to other parts of the city and will deliver water to the expanding southeastern part of Albuquerque. Ridgecrest Trunk wells provide approximately 20 percent of the water for the Albuquerque area, but throughout the area there are numerous sites that have known incidences of hazardous waste contaminating soil and groundwater. These hazardous waste sites can contaminate groundwater with volatile organic compounds (VOC). VOCs are ground water contaminants of concern because of their release into the environment, human health risks, and potential to travel to contaminate drinking water supply wells. For these reasons groundwater is monitored on a regular basis to ensure the public health is not compromised. This study will provide a preliminary assessment of groundwater movement to determine if the Ridgecrest Trunk wells are vulnerable to contamination from hazardous waste dumped on the surface.