From the Rio to the Sierra: An environmental history of the Middle Rio Grande Basin

Scurlock, Dan

doi:10.2737/rmrs-gtr-5

Cited by 70 publications

(111 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…However, specific responses depend upon depth-togroundwater and individual differences amongst functional types; for example, riparian cottonwood trees (P. fremontii) responded to rewetting with growth that was larger and faster than the response of co-occurring willow (S. exigua), a smallstature, thicket-forming shrub that is restricted to streamside areas with very shallow groundwater (Scurlock, 1998;Rood et al, 2011). From an understanding of the relationships between tree growth and depth-to-groundwater, historical periods of sensitivity to hydrological drought (i.e.…”

Section: Effects Of Groundwater On Growth and Dendrochronological Traitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Groundwater-dependent ecosystems: recent insights from satellite and field-based studies

Eamus

Zolfaghar

Villalobos‐Vega

et al. 2015

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

128

112

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Abstract. Groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) are at risk globally due to unsustainable levels of groundwater extraction, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. In this review, we examine recent developments in the ecohydrology of GDEs with a focus on three knowledge gaps: (1) how do we locate GDEs, (2) how much water is transpired from shallow aquifers by GDEs and (3) what are the responses of GDEs to excessive groundwater extraction? The answers to these questions will determine water allocations that are required to sustain functioning of GDEs and to guide regulations on groundwater extraction to avoid negative impacts on GDEs.We discuss three methods for identifying GDEs: (1) techniques relying on remotely sensed information; (2) fluctuations in depth-to-groundwater that are associated with diurnal variations in transpiration; and (3) stable isotope analysis of water sources in the transpiration stream.We then discuss several methods for estimating rates of GW use, including direct measurement using sapflux or eddy covariance technologies, estimation of a climate wetness index within a Budyko framework, spatial distribution of evapotranspiration (ET) using remote sensing, groundwater modelling and stable isotopes. Remote sensing methods often rely on direct measurements to calibrate the relationship between vegetation indices and ET. ET from GDEs is also determined using hydrologic models of varying complexity, from the White method to fully coupled, variable saturation models. Combinations of methods are typically employed to obtain clearer insight into the components of groundwater discharge in GDEs, such as the proportional importance of transpiration versus evaporation (e.g. using stable isotopes) or from groundwater versus rainwater sources.Groundwater extraction can have severe consequences for the structure and function of GDEs. In the most extreme cases, phreatophytes experience crown dieback and death following groundwater drawdown. We provide a brief review of two case studies of the impacts of GW extraction and then provide an ecosystem-scale, multiple trait, integrated metric of the impact of differences in groundwater depth on the structure and function of eucalypt forests growing along a natural gradient in depth-to-groundwater. We conclude with a discussion of a depth-to-groundwater threshold in this mesic GDE. Beyond this threshold, significant changes occur in ecosystem structure and function.

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Section: Effects Of Groundwater On Growth and Dendrochronological Traitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Groundwater-dependent ecosystems: recent insights from satellite and field-based studies

Eamus

Zolfaghar

Villalobos‐Vega

et al. 2015

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

128

112

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“…The Middle Rio Grande, of which the Cochiti reach is a part, has a long history of regulation, diversion and anthropogenic activities beginning with the Pueblo Indians diverting water from the Rio Grande centuries ago. Major regulation of the river began in the 1920's with the construction of numerous diversion structures, dams, levees, and channelization work (Scurlock, 1998). The dams, built for flood control and sediment detention, were intended to reverse the channel aggradation trend that commenced as much as 11,000 years ago (Sanchez and Baird, 1997).…”

Section: Site Background -Middle Rio Grandementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Later, in the mid-1900's the construction of levees to prevent avulsions into surrounding agricultural land along the river exacerbated the aggradation by confining sediment deposition to a smaller area (Scurlock, 1998;Sanchez and Baird, 1997). Historically the average active channel width was about 275 m and the Cochiti reach exhibited characteristics of braiding with up to four channels at some cross sections (Sanchez and Baird, 1997;Lagasse, 1980Lagasse, , 1981Lagasse, , 1994.…”

Section: Site Background -Middle Rio Grandementioning

confidence: 99%

Stream restoration and environmental river mechanics

Juliën¹,

Richard

Albert

2005

International Journal of River Basin Management

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The impact of construction of dams and reservoirs on alluvial rivers extends both upstream and downstream of the dam. Downstream of dams, both the water and sediment supplies can be altered leading to adjustments in the river channel geometry and ensuing changes in riparian and aquatic habitats. The wealth of pre and post-regulation data on the Middle Rio Grande, New Mexico, provides an excellent case study of river regulation, channel adjustments, and restoration efforts. Cochiti Dam was constructed on the main stem of the Rio Grande in 1973 for flood control and sediment retention. Prior to dam construction, the Rio Grande was a wide, sandy braided river. Following dam construction, the channel bed degraded and coarsened to gravel size, and the planform shifted to a more meandering pattern. Ecological implications of the geomorphic changes include detachment of the river from the floodplain, reduced recruitment of riparian cottonwoods, encroachment of non-native saltcedar and Russian olive into the floodplain and degraded aquatic habitat for the Rio Grande silvery minnow. Recent restoration strategies include removal of non-native riparian vegetation, mechanical lowering of floodplain areas, and channel widening.

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“…The Anglo ethos might be described as one "based on the maximum harvest of resources for maximum profit" (Scurlock 1998: 33 1). Backed by federal legislation and military force, the new territorial government supported Anglo speculators who marked and laid claim to large tracts of land, many of which overlapped or encompassed Spanish and Mexican land grants.…”

Section: Water and Regional Historymentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling the transfer of land and water from agricultural to urban uses in the Middle Rio Grande Basin, New Mexico.

Jarratt¹,

Passell²,

Kelly

et al. 2004

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From the Rio to the Sierra: An environmental history of the Middle Rio Grande Basin

Cited by 70 publications

References 18 publications

Groundwater-dependent ecosystems: recent insights from satellite and field-based studies

Groundwater-dependent ecosystems: recent insights from satellite and field-based studies

Stream restoration and environmental river mechanics

Modeling the transfer of land and water from agricultural to urban uses in the Middle Rio Grande Basin, New Mexico.

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