Brian B. HuntSenior Hydrogeologist

Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation DistrictAustin, Texas

April 21, 2015Midland, Texas

Brian B. HuntSenior Hydrogeologist

Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation DistrictAustin, Texas

April 21, 2015Midland, Texas

Refining our conceptual model of the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers in the Blanco River Valley

Photo by Jeff Lynch

“Great Plains”Walter Prescott Webb (1931)

98th meridian

State Water Plan, TWDB 2012

“Whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting” -Mark Twain

SettingStratigraphy

Balcones Structure

Blanco River & Aquifer ConnectionsGain-loss studies

Groundwater flow studies

Refined Conceptual Model

Application to Current Events

Mace et al., 2000

Modified from Stricklin et al, 1971

1

2

3

From Phelps et al., 2014, Sedimentology 61, 461–496

Valanginian–Barremiansupersequence• MORBs and Glacial influences

Aptian–Albiansupersequence• Drowning and recovery

of platform around OAE1a and 1b

Lower Aquifer• Sligo• Hosston

Middle Trinity Aquifer• Lower Glen Rose• Hensel• CowCreek

Upper Trinity Aquifer• Upper Glen Rose

GAT

Pedernales Falls S.P.Collins, 2011

Reimer’s Ranch Park, Travis County

Lower Glen Rose

Hensel

dolomite

limestone

Little Blanco River, Hays County

Narrows, Hays County

Al Broun in the Blanco River, near Blanco TX

Hunt et al., in review; Modified from Grimshaw and Woodruff, 1986

Hunt et al., in review

Hunt et al., in review

SettingStratigraphy

Balcones Structure

Blanco River & Aquifer ConnectionsGain-loss studies

Groundwater flow studies

Refined Conceptual Model

Application to current events

Smith et al., in press

Smith et al., in press

Smith et al., in press

Smith et al., in press

Blanco River State Park, TPWD

Smith et al., in press

Recharge in the Dry Blanco River

Saunders Swallet, Blanco River

Smith et al., in press

Watson et al., 2014

Pleasant Valley Spring

Jacob’s Well Spring

Smith et al., in press

Blanco River

fault

Upper glen Rose

Edwards

Smith et al., in press

Smith et al., in press

Hunt et al., in review

Multiport “Westbay” Monitoring Well

Edwards Aquifer and Middle Trinity not in hydrologic communicationin the BFZ.

(Wong et al., 2014)

SettingStratigraphy

Balcones Structure

Blanco River & Aquifer ConnectionsGain-loss studies

Groundwater flow studies

Refined Conceptual Model

Application to Current Events

SettingStratigraphy

Balcones Structure

Blanco River & Aquifer ConnectionsGain-loss studies

Groundwater flow studies

Refined Conceptual Model

Application to Current Events

Colorado River, ca. 1915. Photo by Mr. Sneider of Austin, Tx.

Wierman et al., 2010

Williams Irrigation

Stopped flow in 2000, first time in memory. Flowed during the 1950s drought.

dry

“When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.” --Benjamin Franklin

No flow

“The Southwestern Water Wars

How Drought Is Producing Tensions in

Texas” (NY Times, 3/15/15)

Smith et al., in press

The Narrows, Blanco River

brianh@bseacd.org512-282-8441 work

http://www.bseacd.org/uploads/AquiferScience/Reports/Smith_et_al.__2014__Blanco_River_Trinity_and_Edwards_Aquifers.pdf

http://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/handle/2152/8977