Browsing by Subject "Water-supply"
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Item A linear dynamic programming approach to modeling the effects of producer interaction on optimal groundwater use in the southern high plains of Texas(Texas Tech University, 1989-05) Rosa, Duane JA model is presented for measuring the degree to which incentives to agricultural producers under current groundwater laws may result in the long-run misallocation of groundwater. This study focuses on the interaction between producers as they compete for a common groundwater supply. A linear dynamic programming method (LDP) is applied to derive optimal intertemporal use of the stock resource and long-term cropping plans. First parametric linear programming (PLP) is used to maximize periodic profits subject to specified values of state variables related to annual water use and irrigation system capacity. The PLP results are then used in a dynamic programming model to determine the optimal allocation of water and irrigation resources for agricultural producers over time, subject to water use policies followed by other producers. A finite difference groundwater model is used to simulate water table elevation in the aquifer after uniform periods of time. A finite difference grid is superimposed onto a study area in the Southern High Plains to replace the continuous aquifer with an equivalent set of discrete elements. Various pumping schemes are then duplicated to show the effect on water table elevation. A relationship between water use by a representative producer with that of other producers in the area is arrived at by regression analysis. This relationship is inserted into the dynamic model to determine the optimal use of groundwater by the representative producer given various strategies followed by other producers over a 45-year time horizon. Results of this study indicate the degree to which competitive producer interactions could affect the optimal long-term use of groundwater.Item A selected case study of water administration in Texas(Texas Tech University, 1965-05) Henderson, Bill J.The following case study of v/ater development and administration in Texas began as a part of my responsibility as a research analyst for the Texas Research League during the summer of 1964. The League had been asked by the states' water agencies to conduct a study of statewide responsibilities in water development and administration. I was assigned to this project with the specific duty of preparing a profile of water planning and control in Tarrant County. During the course of completing this profile I was repeatedly made aware of the divided and aiversified nature of water law, water development, and water administration in Texas. As a result of this awareness, I decided to present examples and explanations of the divided and diversified water development system in Texas in this thesis.Item Analyses of water markets and allocation mechanisms in Texas(Texas Tech University, 1997-08) Yoskowitz, David WilliamThe purpose of this study is, given water scarcity in the State of Texas, to examine the efforts to improve the efficient use of water through marketing and transfers. There has been quite a bit of work conducted in the area ofthe efficiency of water marketing in general, including Howe et al. [1986], Saliba [1987], and Simpson [1992]. But only a relatively small number of empirical studies have been conducted and out of these very few have any statistical analysis of water marketing. The specific objective is to develop three essays that examine the differing mechanisms of water marketing or water reallocation among users. Essay 1 will examine the surface water spot water transactions along the Rio Grande. Statistical analysis along with on site interviews will be used to reveal what determines spot market prices and why price differentials between users exists. Essay 2, using a modified case study approach, will examine underground water transactions made by West Texas municipalities. The purchase of irrigated farmland by municipalities to increase supply is becoming a common practice as limited surface water is already committed. Essay 3 will examine critically the purpose, structure, and operation ofthe Texas Water Bank (TWB) which was created to facilitate water marketing on a statewide basis.Item Can water start a fire?: an analysis of international water conflicts(Texas Tech University, 1999-08) Huston, Donald RaymonWater is a vital resource that is needed for the survival of a state. Few countries believe they have enough palatable water at their disposal. Water has already been a contributor, if not the main cause, of wars in the past. This dissertation explores the relationship between the need for water and conflict. It is the first true quantitative study testing the correlation between water and conflict on a global scale instead of regional. By examining the relationship, via a macro-analysis on international water systems, and measuring the effects of state reliance, regime formation, and military strength on the relationship between those states sharing the water, the level of influence water has on state relations is measured.Item Determination of algae growth potential in natural environment(Texas Tech University, 1974-05) Maqsood, Syed AzharNot availableItem Interactions between precipitation, evapotranspiration, streamflow, and groundwater in the Southern High Plains(Texas Tech University, 1999-12) Van Hooser, Kara J.The Texas South High Plains region (SHP) is one of the most productive agricultural areas of the nation. Because the climate is semi-arid, water is a principal concern. The general long-term decline in ground-water levels is of concern to planners and agricultural users alike (High Plains Underground Water District No.1 (HPUWD) 1998). Some planners are concerned about a general decline in the watershed runoff yield for streams originating or draining portions of the SHP (Wyatt 1998). The purpose of this research project is to examine the relations between groundwater withdrawals, potential evapotranspiration, and variations in precipitation. In addition, general trends in precipitation, streamflow, groundwater levels, and potential evapotranspiration were examined. This information is important for regional water management issues such as describing low flow conditions for drought definition, identifying locations of declining streamflow, which may decrease property value and evaluating potential contributions from precipitation enhancement. In addition, this information will serve as a baseline for quantification of the effects of alternative management practices on the watersheds.Item Modeling climate change impacts on hydrology and water resources : case study Rio Conchos basin(2011-05) Ingol Blanco, Eusebio Mercedes; McKinney, Daene C.; Maidment, David R.; Charbeneau, Randall J.; Hodges, Ben R.; Eaton, David J.Water resources availability could be affected by alterations of hydrologic processes as a result of climate change. Global projections of climate change indicate negative impacts on water systems with increasing flooding and drought events. This investigation presents the modeling of climate change effects on the hydrology and water resources availability in the Rio Conchos basin, the main tributary of the lower portion of the bi-national Rio Grande/Bravo basin, and its impact on the water treaty signed between the United States of America and Mexico in 1944. One of the problems most relevant to the study basin is the frequent occurrence of long drought periods. Coupled with increased water demands and low irrigation efficiencies, the competition for water resources is high on both sides of the border. Three main parts are addressed in this research. First, a hydrologic model has been developed using the one-dimensional, 2 layer soil moisture accounting scheme embedded in a water evaluation and planning model. Second, downscaled precipitation and temperature data, from five general circulation models for two emission scenarios, A1B and A2, were used as inputs to the Rio Conchos hydrologic model to determine the effect on basin hydrology. A multi-model ensemble is developed and several techniques, such as probability density functions, wavelet analysis, and trend analysis, are used to assess the impacts. Third, a water resources planning model for the basin has been developed, which integrates the hydrologic model and water management modeling, to evaluate the impacts on the entire water system and simulate adaptive strategies to mitigate climate change in the study basin. Skill-weighted multi-model ensemble results show that annual average runoff may be reduced by 12% ± 53% and 20% ± 45% in 2080-2099 relative to 1980-1999 for the A1B and A2 scenarios, respectively. Likewise, results show that reliability and resiliency of the water system will tend to decrease; consequently, the vulnerability of the system increases over time. Proposed adaptation measures could make the system more reliable and less vulnerable in meeting water demands for irrigation and municipal uses.Item The role of water in the ranching industry in the Southwest(Texas Tech University, 1969-05) Goebel, Carolyn BledsoeNot availableItem Water as a municipal growth limiting factor: perceptions of the growth coalition compared with other civic leaders in arid southwestern cities(Texas Tech University, 1998-12) Hainze, Thomas WilliamThis research considers a natural resource that may be a limiting factor to municipal growth and the municipal growth machine members attitudes toward that resource. Though several studies of the growth machine are available, little attention has been paid to attitudes toward natural resources that might eventually cause a slowing or cessation of the growth that is important to its financial well being. The research was conducted through the use of mail surveys administered to two categories of respondents: (1) growth machine members (growth coalition), and (2) water experts. Research questions addressed include (1) whether the growth coalition opinion on growth and size differs from water experts, (2) whether the growth coalition agrees with water experts on the status of the water supply, and (3) whether the growth coalition agrees with water experts on types of solutions to water shortages best suited for their situation. In addition, the research considers whether the severity of the of shortage impacts the opinions of the growth coalition relative to water experts by comparing the opinions of the two respondent categories in two cities with projected water shortages, Albuquerque and El Paso with those held by the respondent categories in two cities with adequate water supplies, Amarillo and Lubbock.Item