Understanding Climate‐Hydrologic‐Human Interactions to Guide Groundwater Model Development for Southern High Plains. (28th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Uddameri, Venkatesh; Singaraju, Sreeram; Karim, Abdullah; Gowda, Prasanna; Bailey, Ryan; Schipanski, Meagan
• Is Part Of: Journal of contemporary water research and education. Volume 162:Number 1(2017)
• Page Start: 79
• Page End: 99
• Publication Date: 2017-12-28
• Subjects: Ogallala Aquifer -- model calibration -- conceptual model -- climate change; Water resources development -- United States -- Periodicals; Water supply -- United States -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 553.7
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1936-704X.2017.03261.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1936-7031

Abstract

Abstract: The Ogallala Aquifer is the only reliable source of freshwater in the Southern High Plains (SHP) and is used extensively to build a strong agricultural economy with a significant impact on global food security. Groundwater models capable of simulating human‐hydrologic‐climate interactions are crucial to guide future water management and policy planning endeavors in this water stressed region. A well‐defined conceptual model is a necessary first‐step in that direction. Conceptual modeling should not be limited to compiling necessary datasets but must also focus on generating critical insights pertaining to human‐climate‐aquifer interactions especially when the emphasis is on guiding future policy. Model integration and the feasibility of coupling available tools and techniques must be explored to fill‐in critical data gaps and capture interactions with a high degree of fidelity. A conceptual modeling framework built on this premise was applied to guide an on‐going regional‐scale groundwater modeling study in the SHP. The paucity of groundwater production data was identified as a major limiting factor. A linked Decision Support System for Agro‐Technology Transfer (DSSAT) model with MODFLOW is expected to be useful in obtaining groundwater production estimates through detailed crop modeling. The time to recharge is long (decades to centuries) over most of the SHP. As such, the coupling of watershed and groundwater models is perhaps not warranted. Baseflow separation indicated that surface water‐groundwater interactions have diminished over the last six decades due to declining water tables. While groundwater withdrawals generally increased during droughts, the aquifer also buffered climatic influences at some locations.