Basin Scale Management of Surface and Ground Water

An important element in the economic development of many regions of the Great Plains is the availability of reliable water supply. The primary supply has tended towards developing groundwater aquifers. However, in regions where shallow groundwater is extracted for use there exists the potential for over drafting aquifers to the point of depleting hydraulically connected stream flows, adversely affecting the water supply of downstream users. A developed basin requires the ability to predict the effect of water extractions in one region on extraction from surface or groundwater supplies elsewhere. This requires the ability to simulate groundwater levels and stream flows on a basin scale as affected by water use, land use and climatic changes, as well as the ability to effectively use simulation models and interpret their results.