Sustainability and Groundwater Management in Western …...School of Natural Resources University of...
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School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln Sustainability and Groundwater Management in Western Nebraska Steve Sibray, Doug Hallum Conservation and Survey Division
Transcript of Sustainability and Groundwater Management in Western …...School of Natural Resources University of...
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Sustainability and Groundwater
Management in Western Nebraska
Steve Sibray, Doug Hallum
Conservation and Survey Division
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Water issues are political
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Outline
• Sustainability and GW Management in Western Nebraska
– Groundwater Use
– Sustainability
– The High Plains System
• What we’ve learned
• Remaining questions
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Idea #1: Unlimited pumping
• Can we mine the aquifer dry?
– NO!
• Economic Limits
• Survival of the Deepest
• Recharge & Renewable
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Survival of the deepest
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Geology Provides the Framework
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Groundwater Decline (red) and Rise (blue)
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Idea #2: Pumping = Recharge
• Pumping < unlimited
• Water Budget / “Safe Yield”
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Pumpkin Creek
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Pumpkin Creek Irrigation Wells, 1975
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Pumpkin Creek Irrigation Wells, 1999
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Pumpkin Creek History
Natural Flow Rights - 1890’s
• Flow ~21,000 ac–ft/yr
• Closed to SW - 1979
• Closed to new Wells - 2001
• Groundwater Allocation 12”
Stream Flow (Banner-Morrill Line)
• 1939: 14 cfs
• 1976: 5.7 cfs
• 1999: dry
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Paradox of Safe Yield
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Water Budget Myth
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Documenting Stream/Groundwater
Interaction in the South Platte River
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
37/2
8
8/1
0
8/2
3
9/5
9/1
9
10/2
10
/15
10/2
8
11/1
0
11/2
3
12/7
12/2
0
1/2
1/1
5
1/2
8
2/1
0
2/2
4
3/9
Gro
undw
ate
r/S
tream
Gra
die
nt
(ft)
Big Springs Gradient Paxton Gradient North Platte Gradient
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Atmosphere
Surface Soils Surface Water
Saturated Zone
IN OUT
Gro
undw
ate
r P
um
pin
g
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Idea #3: Dynamic Equilibrium
ΔR = ΔD + ΔS - Qp
“Change in Recharge
equals
Change in Discharge plus Change in Storage minus
Pumping”
• As we approach equilibrium, storage change goes to zero
• Pumping will affect natural discharge 1:1
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Nebraska’s Water Budget (millions of acre-feet)
3.7
7.85.0
82.293.3
9.1
1.7
8.7
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Stream Discharge is Changing
Wen and Chen, 2006, Journal of Hydrology, v. 327
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Discharge Depletion Takes Time!
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Myth: Groundwater Management
• Groundwater and Surface Water are one resource
– Each affects the other
– The difference is timing
– Timing is specific to the region/local condition
• We should manage them together!
– In an integrated way
– Adapt as we learn
– Build consensus among (local) stakeholders
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Sustainability
What the heck is sustainability? Define it locally
– Of economic growth?
– Of crop production?
– Of rivers and wetlands?
– Of canal deliveries?
– Of industry?
– Of recreation?
Which of these is less important to the good life?
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Water is our Future, Not a Fight
http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1987/07/13
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Water Issues are Political
School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Thank You!
Doug Hallum
West Central Research and
Extension Center, North Platte
Steve Sibray
Panhandle Research and
Extension Center, Scottsbluff
