Hydrophile

Lunch Seminar March 4, 2011

2011-02-28T13:21:00.000-08:00

UNM Water Resources Program

Association of Water Professionals

Lunch Seminar by John Shomaker

Water in Deep Aquifers as a Potential Supply Near Albuquerque

Friday March 4, 2011
12:00 pm – 1:00pm
SUB Sandia Room

Abstract

By 2009, notices of intent to develop about 1,000,000 ac-ft/yr from deep, brackish or saline ground-water supplies, under the exemption afforded by Sec. 72-12-25 of the water code, had been filed with the State Engineer. Proposed wells to produce about 245,000 ac-ft/yr were on the West Mesa or in the Puerco Valley. The intense interest is attributable to the very rapid increase in Middle Rio Grande water-right prices that began in 2004. The deep aquifers are not a newly discovered supply, and the water is not completely unrelated to the shallower aquifers and the surface-water system. The emphasis so far seems to have been on the feasibility of desalination, but the required infrastructure (and costs) to produce the water would be prodigious and must be considered, as should the longevity of any particular well-field.

Water Use Calculator

2011-02-22T07:50:00.000-08:00

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/water-footprint-calculator/

Copy and paste this link into your address bar. It's a fun and easy way to see how much water you use. Enjoy!

Current Events in Water

2011-01-11T12:11:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of articles from the Santa Fe New Mexican regarding water in our state. Feel free to leave comments!

New rule under fire from N.M. Cattle Growers Association
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/outstanding-waters-New-rule-under-fire-from-cattle-growers

Incoming state engineer will face a changing role
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/localnews/Incoming-state-engineer-will-face-a-changing-role

AWP and Water for People

2011-01-10T13:08:00.000-08:00

There will be a joint meeting of Water for People and Association of Water Professionals on Wednesday, January 19, 2010. The meeting will begin at 6 pm at O'neill's on Central. Anyone interested is welcome to come.

Bruce Thomson, WRP Director, receives New Mexico Outstanding Earth Sciences Achievement Award

2010-02-23T17:12:00.000-08:00

On February 4, 2010, Dr. Bruce Thomson, Director of the UNM Water Resources Program, was presented with the 2010 New Mexico Earth Sciences Achievement Award for outstanding contributions advancing the role of earth science in the areas of applied science in education in New Mexico.

Professor Thomson is also a Regents' Professor in the UNM Department of Civil Engineering. He has been on the UNM faculty since 1978. His research is focused on the chemistry and treatment of inorganic contaminants in ground water and wastewater reuse.

Congratulations Bruce!

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/

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

AWP Blog Now Online!

2008-09-25T18:26:00.000-07:00

The Association of Water Professionals (AWP), the official student organization of the UNM Water Resources Program (WRP), is pleased to announce that we now have a blog!

This publication serves to inform students on a variety of topics including:

AWP sponsored events such as lectures, field trips and "beers with peers"
Upcoming water resource events and conferences in the community
Reminders about upcoming deadlines for graduation, program of studies forms, and research funding
Current issues of water resources in the news
Information on upcoming classes or changes to the program
Announcements about upcoming professional project defenses
and new student profiles

This blog will also host articles written by WRP students on a variety of topics.

Please subscribe to our blog today!