Wednesday, November 7, 2007 - 1:45 PM
306-3
Surface and Subsurface Water Flow Analysis for Playa Catchments of the Southern High Plains of Texas.
Ogallala aquifer, the main source of irrigation water for the Southern High Plains (SHP) of Texas , is being depleted due to heavy utilization. Playas, the ubiquitous geographic features on the SHP are important sites for Ogallala aquifer recharge. Therefore, management of playa surface water to increased ground water recharge is critical for sustainable use of the Ogallala aquifer. Playas receive water input mainly through overland flow. However, through flow may also contribute to the playa water budget. Even though SHP receives limited precipitation, the occurrence of high intensity rainfall events is common for most years. During these events, water input to playa catchments may exceed the infiltration rate to generate overland flow. These high intensity rainfall events, along with subsurface soil horizon permeability differences and land slope may also generate through flow into playa catchments. While overland flow concentrates water into the playas, the through flow may either discharge water into the playas at the annulus, or recharge the ground water. A better understanding of significance of overland flow and the occurrence of through flow as a source for Ogallala aquifer recharge would allow developing playa management plans to increase the recharge of the Ogallala aquifer. We analyzed the surface water flow and tested the existence of through flow into playa catchments. We incorporated geophysical techniques, GIS technology and pedological approaches for this study.
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