Integrated management of a finite water supply in the desert

Daniel Wendell, Steve Shultz, Aditya Tyagi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Fort Irwin is located in California's Mojave Desert, adjacent to Death Valley, and receives about five inches of rain per year. Local water supply comes from three separate groundwater basins that have no significant natural recharge and therefore provide a finite supply of water. The base is an important Army training facility and extending the life of water supplies is of critical importance. This work was undertaken to maximize the "lifespan" of local water supplies, minimize costs, and avoid adverse impacts to the extent possible. To meet the needs of this project, the entire water cycle of the area was evaluated in an integrated and quantitative manner, including: modeling local groundwater supplies; evaluating potential development of remote water supplies and associated costs; conducting an end-use water demand and conservation analysis; developing a recycled water irrigation program; implementing an indirect wastewater reuse (i.e., recharge) program; developing an operations program designed to mitigate adverse impacts such as land subsidence; and assessing cost, power consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions from the various alternatives.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2009 - World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2009
Subtitle of host publicationGreat Rivers
Pages4956-4964
Number of pages9
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes
EventWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2009: Great Rivers - Kansas City, MO, United States
Duration: May 17 2009May 21 2009

Publication series

NameProceedings of World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2009 - World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2009: Great Rivers
Volume342

Conference

ConferenceWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2009: Great Rivers
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityKansas City, MO
Period5/17/095/21/09

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Environmental Science

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