An Economic, Hydrologic, and Environmental Assessment of Water Management Alternative Plans for the South Central Texas Region

Abstract

Regional water scarcity has motivated the South Central Texas Regional Water Planning Group to actively develop water management plans to address long-/short-term regional water needs. This study, therefore, develops an integrated Edwards Aquifer groundwater and river system simulation model to determine the “best” choice of regional water management plans using mixed-integer linear programming. The economic, hydrologic, and environmental consequences of the “best” choice of regional and other water management plans and options are evaluated and compared. Results indicate a tradeoff between the economic and environmental benefits. A slight decrease in economic benefit results in a substantial increase in environmental benefit.

Long‐term changes in flow regime and fish assemblage composition in the guadalupe and san marcos rivers of texas

“…In contrast, detected increases in mean annual flows are meaningful in the lower Guadalupe River because of water releases at Canyon Lake reservoir. Canyon Lake reservoir, operated by US Army Corp of Engineers, regulates discharge releases as part of the reservoir management plan for flood control and recreational activities (Gillig et al ., 2001). Likewise, decreases in frequency of small and large flood events were attributed to Canyon Lake reservoir in the lower Guadalupe River, with effects more noticeable at the nearest downstream Station (New Braunfels, 08168500).…”

Agricultural Cooperative Management and Policy

“…Recent applications in the last decade analysed profit optimization for different water use scenarios with respect to groundwater and surface water at the watershed and basin level (Barthel et al 2012;Dono et al 2012;Varela-Ortega et al 2011;Ahrends et al 2008;Lanini et al 2004;Frede et al 2002;Gillig et al 2001).…”

Water management with water conservation, infrastructure expansions, and source variability in Jordan

“…More recent hydroeconomic models consider price demand responses and operations for entire river basins or regions [ Rosegrant et al , 2000; Gillig et al , 2001; Cai et al , 2003; Draper et al , 2003; Fisher et al , 2005]. For example, Rosegrant et al [2000] optimize benefits for agricultural, urban, and environmental uses considering the network of conveyance, storage, demands, and return flows in the Maipo River Basin in Chile.…”

“…For example, Rosegrant et al [2000] optimize benefits for agricultural, urban, and environmental uses considering the network of conveyance, storage, demands, and return flows in the Maipo River Basin in Chile. Gillig et al [2001] consider source expansions with stochastic water availability in the Edwards Aquifer, Texas. Draper et al [2003] focus on conjunctive surface and groundwater management, environmental flows, conveyance, wastewater reuse, water market transfers, and return flows that minimize scarcity losses to agricultural and urban users for all of California.…”