Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID LA_2025_Tsai

Enhancing Groundwater Sustainability in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain via Geological, Geophysical, and Hydrological Data Integration Under Changing Climate

Institute: Louisiana
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-01-01 End Date: 2026-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $42,719 Total Non-Federal Funds: $41,479

Principal Investigators: Frank Tsai and Yuqi Song

Project Summary: The Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer (MRVA), located beneath the Mississippi Alluvial Plain (MAP), provides critical water resources for farming in the Lower Mississippi region. This aquifer supports the irrigation of crops that are essential to U.S. food supply and global agriculture. However, heavy groundwater use for farming, combined with rising temperatures and less rainfall due to climate change, threatens the long-term health of the aquifer. This project builds a detailed computer model, called a hydrogeological digital twin (HGDT), to better understand and manage the MRVA. The model uses tens of thousands of well records, groundwater pumping data, and airborne imaging to show how water flows underground and where saltwater may be seeping into freshwater areas. By simulating different future climate conditions, the model helps scientists and decision-makers predict changes in groundwater levels and quality, supporting smarter water use and more sustainable farming in the region.