Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2017AZ501S

TAAP: University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center Effort

Institute: Arizona
USGS Grant Number: G17AC00439
Year Established: 2017 Start Date: 2017-09-25 End Date: 2022-09-24
Total Federal Funds: $333,332 Total Non-Federal Funds: Not available

Principal Investigators: Sharon Medal

Project Summary: The work proposed by the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) is part of the binational United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program (TAAP), with its specific focus on the San Pedro and Santa Cruz binational aquifers, which are two of the four priority aquifers specified by U.S. Public Law 109-448 and was funded in the USGS FY 2017 appropriations. Objectives of the work involves participating in completion of the Binational Study of the Transboundary Santa Cruz Aquifer, facilitating preparation of a summary brochure for this binational study, and collaborating with the USGS, the International Boundary and Water Commission, and other TAAP partners with the overall implementation of TAAP. Assessment of the physical effects of climate variability, drought, and effluent discharges on groundwater recharge and storage downstream of the Nogales International Wastewater Treatment Plant (NIWTP) in the transboundary Santa Cruz Aquifer. This work will consider alternative scenarios for outfalls from the NIWTP. Outfalls from the NIWTP support in part a biological corridor for many riparian and aquatic species. Dissemination of scientific findings and methodology through: regional, binational, and international stakeholder forums and conferences; and development of journal articles, web postings, presentations, and other materials. Additional research activities of the five-year program include: a) performing reconnaissance work in other transboundary aquifers along the Arizona/Sonora border, b) characterizing alternative scenarios for surface water flows and groundwater recharge in the Santa Cruz Aquifer, c) analyzing the TAAP framework for binational cooperation and its applicability to other binational water efforts, d) investigating how transnational policies and contrasting modes of governance affect drought management in the Santa Cruz and San Pedro aquifers, and e) determining what opportunities exist for cooperative and/or collaborative drought responses in the Santa Cruz and San Pedro aquifer regions.