Comparison of Aquifer Sustainability Under Groundwater Administrations in Oklahoma and Texas

Aaron R. Mittelstet, Michael D. Smolen, Garey A. Fox, Damian C. Adams

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

We compared two approaches to administration of groundwater law on a hydrologic model of the North Canadian River, an alluvial aquifer in northwestern Oklahoma. Oklahoma limits pumping rates to retain 50% aquifer saturated thickness after 20years of groundwater use. The Texas Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District's (GCD) rules limit pumping to a rate that consumes no more than 50% of saturated thickness in 50years, with reevaluation and readjustment of permits every 5 years. Using a hydrologic model (MODFLOW), we simulated river-groundwater interaction and aquifer dynamics under increasing levels of "development" (i.e., increasing groundwater withdrawals). Oklahoma's approach initially would limit groundwater extraction more than the GCD approach, but the GCD approach would be more protective in the long run. Under Oklahoma rules more than half of aquifer storage would be depleted when development reaches 65%. Reevaluation of permits under the Texas Panhandle GCD approach would severely limit pumping as the 50% level is approached. Both Oklahoma and Texas Panhandle GCD approaches would deplete alluvial base flow at approximately 10% development. Results suggest periodic review of permits could protect aquifer storage and river base flow. Modeling total aquifer storage is more sensitive to recharge rate and aquifer hydraulic conductivity than to specific yield, while river leakage is most sensitive to aquifer hydraulic conductivity followed by specific yield.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)424-431
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the American Water Resources Association
Volume47
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Alluvial aquifer
  • Conjunctive use
  • Groundwater management
  • Groundwater model
  • Groundwater-river interaction
  • MODFLOW
  • Water law
  • Water policy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology
  • Water Science and Technology
  • Earth-Surface Processes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Comparison of Aquifer Sustainability Under Groundwater Administrations in Oklahoma and Texas'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this