Grantee Research Project Results
2001 Progress Report: An Integrated GIS Framework for Water Reallocation and Decision Making in the Upper Rio Grande Basin
EPA Grant Number: R828070Title: An Integrated GIS Framework for Water Reallocation and Decision Making in the Upper Rio Grande Basin
Investigators: Matthews, Olen Paul , Scuderi, Louis A. , Campana, Michael E. , Brookshire, David S. , Chermak, Janie , Krause, Kate , Watson, Rick
Current Investigators: Matthews, Olen Paul , Scuderi, Louis A. , Campana, Michael E. , Brookshire, David S. , Cullen, Brad T. , Demint, Ann , Chermak, Janie , Coonrod, Julie , Benedict, Karl , Krause, Kate , Reno, Marissa , Ewers, Mary , Greer, Michael , Pease, Mike , Watson, Rick
Institution: University of New Mexico
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: March 1, 2000 through February 28, 2003
Project Period Covered by this Report: March 1, 2001 through February 28, 2002
Project Amount: $409,977
RFA: Water and Watersheds (1999) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , Water
Objective:
The objectives of this research project are to: (1) develop geographic information system (GIS)/Powersim models; and (2) develop stakeholder/experimental evaluation of policy options. The modeling framework of this study is two fold. One model utilizes a raster based distributed water balance approach, in which each raster element represents a bucket through which inputs and outputs may be routed. The model utilizes a hierarchical resolution grid scheme based on a quad-tree subdivision of the landscape. The second model is a GIS/Powersim model that separates the Middle Rio Grande into four to six individual reaches. The model will address flow values, as opposed to volume. Therefore, we will be able to individually analyze reaches that are particularly important to stakeholders.
Stakeholders will identify issues and create future water use scenarios. Most of the information gained during these early stages will be hypothetical. Then, we will develop a real-time decision analysis tool that incorporates real consequences, via monetary payoffs, to minimize the potential bias in hypothetical responses. Stakeholders will make water use decisions in an experimental setting. The cumulative effects of individual stakeholder decisions will be simulated using the models.
Progress Summary:
The energy balance portion of the GIS model as well as the production of the climatological fields required to drive the model are complete. The modeling approach allows us to calculate the correct energy balance radiative inputs to any slope facet within the database. These daily radiative inputs, along with temperature and precipitation fields, form the primary drivers to our hydrologic modeling system within the GIS. Precipitation inputs then are routed utilizing a drainage area accumulation measure calculated for each grid cell and a simple distance-to-stream transit time calculation. The model, driven by actual daily precipitation totals, is compared to detailed stream gauge records, allowing us to estimate the degree of contribution from groundwater, the effect and timing of snow melt inputs, and the effects on the hydrologic system of seasonal snow cover storage. The next step in the modeling process was to add in the specific surface characteristics (vegetation cover and hence evapotranspiration and soil parameters) of the individual basins and allow them to interact with the precipitation and energy fields to modify runoff. This allows us to produce a model where we could partition precipitation inputs into individual evapotranspiration subcomponents, surface runoff, soil moisture, and deep infiltration components. This required the production of a more detailed routing scheme to move the excess precipitation (precipitation minus evapotranspiration) through the model.
For the groundwater portion of the model, we have mapped unconfined and confined aquifer parameters in grid cell format, which were translated into the GIS environment and used to generate output files to run the groundwater code. Using these maps, we developed a workable 9-mile square grid system. To create an interface between the groundwater model and the Powersim platform, the model was reformulated using a linear reservoir approach. This allows us to calculate fluid residence times. During model development, the identification of the order in which the cells discharge water posed a difficult problem. This problem was surmounted by using a graph data structure and depth first search (DFS) algorithm to automatically identify the calculation order of cells. Flow directions from a cell are specified by a flow direction file obtained from a DEM or constructed by hand. Based upon the flow direction data file, we can set our graph data structure and define the connectivity relationships among different cells.
The Sandia National Laboratories Middle Rio Grande (MRG) dynamic simulation model treats the basin as a single entity, determining only one value for the annual volume of water in the river. It does not consider the variable characteristics of different reaches of the river or the contributing sub-basins. We are adding a spatial component to the model by separating the river into four to six individual reaches through GIS-produced hydrological analysis of the contributing sub-basins. Digital elevation models are being used to identify watersheds and sub-watersheds, and Landsat imagery is being used for land use/land cover classification throughout the watershed. Relationships between historical values for surface water hydrologic variables will be established to enable analysis of different land use and climate scenarios.
The water rights data are ready for incorporation into the model. In Colorado, the Colorado Decision Support System (CDSS) has all the data needed, including irrigated acres, crop type, irrigation ditches, watercourses, and water rights. In New Mexico, the water rights are unclear because they have not been adjudicated, and multiple law suits are underway. A method was worked out that gives a very close estimate for the water rights. For the area north of Cochiti Reservoir, we used satellite imagery to determine irrigated lands and historic data to determine priority dates. To determine volume used on this land, we used the maximum allowable limit imposed by New Mexico law. Below Cochiti Dam there are two kinds of surface water rights available, those established before 1907 and those established after 1907. Those established before 1907 are marketable. All currently irrigated land in this reach of the river has been identified. Estimates have been made based on data available from the Office of the State Engineer and on the number of pre-1907 rights that exist and are available for sale.
The Organizational Stakeholder Survey was administered to 13 organizations in the Middle Rio Grande. The groups that participated varied but included governmental, environmental, and pro-industrial advocates. The survey focused on learning what groups thought of the current situation in the region in regards to water supply and use, how they anticipated it will change in the next 10 years, and what changes they would like to see implemented.
The next two stakeholder surveys were conducted on December 7, 2002. These surveys targeted individual stakeholders, and were identical with the exception that one asked the participants to allocate the Middle Rio Grande in the same three reaches used for the group survey, while the other group did the hypothetical reallocation for the region as one unit.
The grant proposal contemplated a series of economic experiments based on scenarios generated by stakeholders. As the project has evolved, it has become apparent that many stakeholder groups had already begun generating their own preferred scenarios or responses to possible climatic, demographic, and other changes. The surveys collected an individual's or an individual group's opinions about the allocation of water under various climate conditions. The experiments will introduce interdependence to the water allocation task. In most cases, participants in these experiments will be the same individuals who completed the surveys. Therefore, they will reflect the same distribution of stakeholder interests.
The three classes of experiments will investigate interdependent water allocation decision-making when: (1) individuals act autonomously and with no communication before entering their decisions; (2) participants interact with each other in an environment that allows for feedback about earlier decisions and the consequences of those decisions; and (3) individuals directly communicate with each other and enter decisions based on group decision-making and consensus-building mechanisms.
Future Activities:
The pilot biophysical model will be completed and linked to the legal and economic elements. A set of scenarios will be designed using the information gathered in conjunction with the Powersim modeling effort. The decisions experiments will be initiated in late spring and summer.
Experiments will be conducted during the next 6 months. For each session, we will recruit 20 participants, many of whom will participate in more than one class of experiments. Three sessions of each of the three classes of experiments will require 180 participant-sessions.
Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 59 publications | 8 publications in selected types | All 7 journal articles |
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Brookshire DS, Burness HS, Chermak JM, Krause K. Western urban water demand. Natural Resources Journal 2002;42(4):873-898. |
R828070 (2001) R828070 (Final) |
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Krause K, Chermak JM, Brookshire DS. The demand for water: consumer response to scarcity. Journal of Regulatory Economics 2003;23(2):167-191. |
R828070 (2001) R828070 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
geographic information systems, GIS, water rights, water reallocation, environmental modeling, stakeholders, experimental economics, decision support tool, reallocation., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water, Economic, Social, & Behavioral Science Research Program, Economics & Decision Making, Urban and Regional Planning, Watersheds, decision-making, Monitoring/Modeling, Geology, Hydrology, Water & Watershed, Ecology and Ecosystems, integrated assessment, Upper Rio Grande Basin, water management options, RIo Grande watershed, water quality, hierarchical resolution grid, community-based approach, ecological models, environmental monitoring, econometrics, water monitoring, environmental decision making, water quality model, public policy, remote sensing, ecology assessment models, hydrologic modeling, changing environmental conditions, aquatic ecosystems, GIS, stakeholder feedback, community tracking, decision making, water resourcesProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.