Rio Grande Transboundary Integrated Hydrologic Model: Modeling Conjunctive Use to Support Resource Management
The Palomas Basin in New Mexico and the Mesilla Basin in New Mexico and Texas and northern Mexico (study area) compose a geologically and hydrologically complex region (figure 1). This region is characterized by conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater that takes place under a myriad of legal and operational constraints, including the Rio Grande Compact, an international treaty, and the Bureau of Reclamation’s (Reclamation) Rio Grande Project (Project). In addition to these agreements to share and deliver water, new demands are being placed on the interconnected hydrologic system, even as the region is experiencing an extended drought. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with Reclamation, developed the Rio Grande Transboundary Integrated Hydrologic Model (RGTIHM), a hydrologic modeling tool that can simulate the availability and use of surface water and groundwater in the study area, including surface-water deliveries by the Project and groundwater use for irrigation and non-irrigation uses.
Figure 1: Study area and active boundary of the Rio Grande Transboundary Integrated Hydrologic Model (RGTIHM) in the Palomas Basin, New Mexico and the Mesilla Basin, New Mexico and Texas, United States, and northern Chihuahua, Mexico.
Objective:
The USGS is currently updating the RGTIHM to represent recent conditions (2015 through 2023) and to facilitate efficient extensions of the RGTIHM simulation period in the future so that the RGTIHM remains a relevant modeling tool to plan for future conditions and sustained operations of the Project.
Approach:
The USGS will extend the simulation period of the RGTIHM from the end of 2014 through the end of 2023 by adding to existing model input files. Some model input files will require updates that involve appending sections to the existing Data Sets. Other model input files will require more extensive updates that involve the compilation and processing of data. The USGS will generate automated workflows when appropriate to allow future extensions of the simulation period of the RGTIHM. The USGS will document the methods used to update model input files in a USGS Scientific Investigations Report. The updated model input and output files and automated workflows will be compiled in a model archive and published in a USGS data release.
The Palomas Basin in New Mexico and the Mesilla Basin in New Mexico and Texas and northern Mexico (study area) compose a geologically and hydrologically complex region (figure 1). This region is characterized by conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater that takes place under a myriad of legal and operational constraints, including the Rio Grande Compact, an international treaty, and the Bureau of Reclamation’s (Reclamation) Rio Grande Project (Project). In addition to these agreements to share and deliver water, new demands are being placed on the interconnected hydrologic system, even as the region is experiencing an extended drought. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with Reclamation, developed the Rio Grande Transboundary Integrated Hydrologic Model (RGTIHM), a hydrologic modeling tool that can simulate the availability and use of surface water and groundwater in the study area, including surface-water deliveries by the Project and groundwater use for irrigation and non-irrigation uses.
Figure 1: Study area and active boundary of the Rio Grande Transboundary Integrated Hydrologic Model (RGTIHM) in the Palomas Basin, New Mexico and the Mesilla Basin, New Mexico and Texas, United States, and northern Chihuahua, Mexico.
Objective:
The USGS is currently updating the RGTIHM to represent recent conditions (2015 through 2023) and to facilitate efficient extensions of the RGTIHM simulation period in the future so that the RGTIHM remains a relevant modeling tool to plan for future conditions and sustained operations of the Project.
Approach:
The USGS will extend the simulation period of the RGTIHM from the end of 2014 through the end of 2023 by adding to existing model input files. Some model input files will require updates that involve appending sections to the existing Data Sets. Other model input files will require more extensive updates that involve the compilation and processing of data. The USGS will generate automated workflows when appropriate to allow future extensions of the simulation period of the RGTIHM. The USGS will document the methods used to update model input files in a USGS Scientific Investigations Report. The updated model input and output files and automated workflows will be compiled in a model archive and published in a USGS data release.