Archive for 2004
- Looking Deeper
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Groundwater Availability Models
By Ric Jensen
People who manage groundwater now have a better idea of the amount of water stored in aquifers throughout much of Texas, thanks to an ongoing computer modeling effort led by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).
In 2001, the Texas Legislature passed legislation to enable TWDB to develop and implement the groundwater [...] - Monitoring water flow and quality
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Database and GIS provide timely information for Rio Grande
By Jenna Smith
For more information regarding this subject, contact:
Zhuping Sheng
(915) 859-9111
z-sheng@tamu.edu
or visit http://www.pdnwc.org
Technology has hit the Rio Grande, from Elephant Butte Dam, New Mexico, to Fort Quitman, Texas.
Research scientists from Texas A&M University (TAMU), New Mexico State University (NMSU) and Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez have teamed [...] - Evaluating deficit irrigation
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Watermelon quality and lycopene content not affected
By Jenna Smith
For more information regarding this subject, contact:
Daniel Leskovar
(830) 278-9151
d-leskovar@tamu.edu
The United States produces, on average, 1.77 million tons of watermelons each year.
In Southwest Texas, watermelons constitute a large portion of the vegetable crop as well; however, strict pumping limitations of underground and surface water as well as competition [...] - Rainfall Simulation Shows Ground Water Flow Patterns
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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 [...] - Hands-on Learning
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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 [...] - Remembering the Forgotten River
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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 [...] - High-Tech Lagoon Management
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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 [...] - Offset Compost Costs
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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 [...] - New EPA Arsenic Standard Challenges Water Treatment Plants
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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 [...] - Fipps Named ITC Director
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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 [...] - North Central Texas Water Quality
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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 [...] - Less Brush, More Water
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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 [...] - TWRI Awards 16 Mills Scholarships to Texas A&M University Graduate Students
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The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) recently awarded 16 scholarships to Texas A&M University graduate students pursuing research related to water resources. These scholarships will assist graduate students in the 2004-05 academic year.
These grants were awarded through TWRI’s Mills Scholars program, which is an endowed fund that supports research in hydrology and other disciplines focused [...] - Communicating outcomes
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Ag irrigation improvements save estimated 26,000 acre-feet
By Jenna Smith
For more information regarding this subject, contact:
B.L. Harris
(979) 845-1851
bl-harris@tamu.edu
Welcoming rains hit drought-stricken New Mexico as project personnel arrived for the third annual Rio Grande Basin Initiative Conference, April 5-7, 2004, in Las Cruces. It was fitting that the week provided numerous discussions and agency input on water [...] - Protecting El Paso’s water supply
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Researcher monitors pathogen levels in Rio Grande water
By Jenna Smith
For more information regarding this subject, contact:
George DiGiovanni
(915) 859-9111
gdigiovanni@ag.tamu.edu
Although the Rio Grande is a major source of drinking and irrigation water for counties in the El Paso area, limited research on waterborne pathogens has been performed.
For the first time, George Di Giovanni, associate professor of environmental [...]
