Texas Water Resources Institute

Archive for July 2004

Rainfall Simulation Shows Ground Water Flow Patterns

Determining the Water Budget in Comal County’s Honey Creek
By April Smith
Current and projected water needs for the state of Texas are rapidly growing. The Edwards Aquifer Area and upstream “contributing zone” exemplify those needs. Population pressures, in-stream flow, endangered species and irrigation are putting pressure on regional water resources.
One potential management strategy for increasing stream [...]

July 1st, 2004 | Posted in Uncategorized
Hands-on Learning

By Amy T. Williams
Texas Cooperative Extension Specialist Russell Persyn of the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering has constructed a demonstration “stream trailer” as part of the North Central Texas Water Quality project.
The engaging demonstration shows children and adults stream processes and how erosion and sedimentation occurs. It can also be used to demonstrate stream [...]

July 1st, 2004 | Posted in Uncategorized
Remembering the Forgotten River

Examining virtually unexplored territory of the Rio Grande
By April Smith
The Rio Grande contains a 200-mile stretch of river that flows from El Paso-Juarez to its confluence with the Rio Conchos at Presidio-Ojinaga called the “Forgotten River.” This name is due to the lack of scientific data available and the absence of cities along its path.
During [...]

July 1st, 2004 | Posted in Uncategorized
High-Tech Lagoon Management

Real-Time Monitoring System Under Development
By Kellie Potucek
Livestock, poultry and dairy producers may soon have the option of installing a high-tech, real-time system to monitor lagoons and other liquid waste retention structures used to store and treat animal manure and wastewater. The system, under development by Texas Agricultural Experiment Station researchers, will help reduce accidental lagoon [...]

July 1st, 2004 | Posted in Uncategorized
Offset Compost Costs

By Kellie Potucek
Use of composted dairy manure is an exciting prospect to agriculturalists and environmentalists alike. Research suggests that compost is an economically viable soil amendment that promotes plant growth and by export out of the watershed can improve water quality in areas where large amounts of manure are generated. However, the high cost of [...]

July 1st, 2004 | Posted in Uncategorized
New EPA Arsenic Standard Challenges Water Treatment Plants

By Kellie Potucek
Derived from both human and natural sources, arsenic contamination presents a danger to humans, livestock, and pets. Due to its cumulative effect on metabolism, small amounts of arsenic can be harmful to those who ingest the toxin.
In January of 2001, the United States Environmental Protection Agency lowered the amount of allowable arsenic in [...]

July 1st, 2004 | Posted in Uncategorized
Fipps Named ITC Director

By Kellie Potucek
Professor Guy Fipps of the Texas A&M University Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering was recently named Director of the Irrigation Technology Center (ITC).
Established in May 2002, ITC is a center under the Texas Water Resources Institute, administrated through Texas Cooperative Extension and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. ITC administers programs dedicated to [...]

July 1st, 2004 | Posted in Uncategorized
North Central Texas Water Quality

Using simulation models to identify potential contaminant sources
By Clint Wolfe
Water quality in North Central Texas reservoirs is a growing concern. Six of the major reservoirs in the Trinity River Basin managed by Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) now serve 1.6 million people across 11 counties and are expected to serve 2.66 million by 2050.
TRWD has [...]

July 1st, 2004 | Posted in Uncategorized
Less Brush, More Water

Examining the Affects of Brush Control in the Guadalupe River
By April Smith
There is potential for brush control to yield more water in the Guadalupe River watershed, and former Texas A&M University graduate student Jason Afinowicz has developed methods to better understand this potential by studying rangeland trends.
His research focused on refining high-technology mapping tools to [...]

July 1st, 2004 | Posted in Uncategorized