Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID IN_2023_Bowling

Examining the sustainability of large trans-basin diversions in Indiana

Institute: Indiana
Year Established: 2023 Start Date: 2023-09-01 End Date: 2024-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $25,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $25,932

Principal Investigators: Laura Bowling

Project Summary: The purpose of this proposal is to examine the potential impact of a proposed large extraction and transfer of groundwater from the Wabash River to the White River basin for use by industry and residents in Central Indiana. Activities will include expanding streamflow and groundwater model simulations for the Upper Wabash River to include the entire Wabash River. It will both include projections for changes to these water aspects into the future based on different climate scenarios and examine the impact of a large transfer of water from shallow groundwater under the Wabash River in Lafayette to Central Indiana. Deliverables and outcomes will include an interactive tool that shows users the impact of such water transfers on these river basins. Information and tools developed from this project will be directed towards state agencies, USGS, and local government as beneficiaries.