Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 8, 2025

Watershed Planning within a Quantitative Scenario Analysis Framework
Published on: July 24, 2016
Risk-Based Decision-Support Groundwater Modeling for the Lower San Antonio River Basin, Texas, USA
Linzy K Foster, Jeremy T White1, Andrew T Leaf2
1Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 1505 Ferguson Lane, Austin, TX, 78754, USA.
Groundwater models show reduced recharge and increased pumping significantly lower surface water base flows and groundwater levels in the San Antonio River Basin. This highlights potential water resource challenges under future drought conditions.
Area of Science:
- Hydrology and Hydrogeology
- Surface-water/groundwater interaction modeling
- Water resource management
Background:
- The lower San Antonio River Basin faces potential water scarcity due to reduced recharge and increased groundwater withdrawals.
- Accurate modeling is crucial for understanding basin responses to these changing conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a numerical model for the lower San Antonio River Basin.
- To evaluate the impact of reduced recharge and increased groundwater withdrawals on base flows and groundwater levels.
Main Methods:
- A numerical surface-water/groundwater model was created.
- Batch data assimilation using history matching (2006-2013) was employed.
- An uncertainty framework was integrated, treating parameters, observations, and scenarios stochastically.
Main Results:
- Groundwater contributions to surface water may decrease by 6% to 25% under a 25% recharge reduction and 25% pumping increase scenario over 8 years.
- Groundwater levels are projected to decline in specific hydrostratigraphic units under drought and higher withdrawal conditions.
Conclusions:
- The model provides insights into basin responses to water management scenarios.
- Findings highlight potential reductions in surface-water/groundwater contributions and localized groundwater depletions.
More Related Videos
11:19Measuring Carbon-based Contaminant Mineralization Using Combined CO2 Flux and Radiocarbon Analyses
Published on: October 21, 2016
11:53Spatial Multiobjective Optimization of Agricultural Conservation Practices using a SWAT Model and an Evolutionary Algorithm
Published on: December 9, 2012
Related Concept Videos
Design Example: Analyzing Capacity Contours for Flood Risk Assessment
Typical Model Studies
Design Example: Creating a Hydraulic Model of a Dam Spillway
Modeling and Similitude
Rapidly Varying Flow
Design Example: Design of an Irrigation Channel