We are working to investigate the most cost-efficient way to recharge the Sierra Vista sub-basin aquifer using rainwater harvesting in the tributaries of the San Pedro River using low-technology methods. Research is being conducted on the Babacomari Ranch, property of the Brophy family. The Walton Family Foundation (WFF) is supporting our research with partners, Borderlands Restoration (BR), Cuenca los Ojos (CLO), and Lacher Hydrological Consulting, to couple models to predict and closely monitor the impact of water harvesting structures on groundwater recharge (Fig. 1).
We investigated the most cost-efficient way to recharge the Sierra Vista sub-basin aquifer using rainwater harvesting in the tributaries of the San Pedro River using low-technology methods. Research was conducted on the Babacomari Ranch, property of the Brophy family. The Walton Family Foundation (WFF) supported our research with partners, Borderlands Restoration Network (BRN), Cuenca los Ojos (CLO), and Lacher Hydrological Consulting, to couple models to predict and closely monitor the impact of water harvesting structures on groundwater recharge (Fig. 1).
The USGS study proposed a methodology to delineate artificial recharge zones as well as to identify favorable artificial recharge sites using integrated remote sensing (RS), geographical information system (GIS) and multi-criteria decision making techniques for augmenting groundwater resources. We used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to model the watershed (Arnold et al. 1998). Model outputs are estimates of the local water budget (storage, stream flow, runoff, infiltration, interception, and evapotranspiration) that allow us to understand geospatially, where the best location to install RDS is (Figure 2; arrows represent hot spot areas).
USGS surveyed channels using Real Time Kinematic (RTK) Global Positioning System (GPS) and a terrestrial laser scanner where rock detention structures are being installed) to develop accurate baseline conditions for monitoring change.
Surface and groundwater model results and expert opinion were combined to identify potential areas for restoration in areas of high percolation, surface water runoff and sediment yield and structures were installed in various tributaries by BR.
2016 M.S. Thesis project
Check out this amazing infographic story book, made by Chloé Fandel during her master’s program that describes this research, “Catching Water in the Desert”:
- Instrument new gabion w/ temperature sensors and wildlife cameras
- Model downward h2o movement through soil to calculate infiltration volumes…
Estimated 1 gabion increased by 60 to 380% upstream of structure & 5 gabions over a 1.5 km length of channel would increase infiltration volume by 2 to 13%.
We now have data to extract impacts of structures on vegetation, soil-moisture/recharge, sedimentation, and streamflow. This could be used to calibrate our watershed model and/or to extrapolate (with confidence) throughout the watershed to identify areas where structures could make bigger impacts in the future and the overall impact restoration could have for increasing recharge. In the meantime, our partners are putting in new structures (these are post weirs) for us to consider.
Point of contact: Laura M. Norman, Ph.D. (520-670-5510)
Publications
Norman, L. M., Callegary, J., Lacher, L., Wilson, N., Fandel, C., Forbes, B., & Swetnam, T. (2019). Modeling Riparian Restoration Impacts on the Hydrologic Cycle at the Babacomari Ranch, SE Arizona, USA. Water, 11(2), 381. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11020381
We are working to investigate the most cost-efficient way to recharge the Sierra Vista sub-basin aquifer using rainwater harvesting in the tributaries of the San Pedro River using low-technology methods. Research is being conducted on the Babacomari Ranch, property of the Brophy family. The Walton Family Foundation (WFF) is supporting our research with partners, Borderlands Restoration (BR), Cuenca los Ojos (CLO), and Lacher Hydrological Consulting, to couple models to predict and closely monitor the impact of water harvesting structures on groundwater recharge (Fig. 1).
We investigated the most cost-efficient way to recharge the Sierra Vista sub-basin aquifer using rainwater harvesting in the tributaries of the San Pedro River using low-technology methods. Research was conducted on the Babacomari Ranch, property of the Brophy family. The Walton Family Foundation (WFF) supported our research with partners, Borderlands Restoration Network (BRN), Cuenca los Ojos (CLO), and Lacher Hydrological Consulting, to couple models to predict and closely monitor the impact of water harvesting structures on groundwater recharge (Fig. 1).
The USGS study proposed a methodology to delineate artificial recharge zones as well as to identify favorable artificial recharge sites using integrated remote sensing (RS), geographical information system (GIS) and multi-criteria decision making techniques for augmenting groundwater resources. We used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to model the watershed (Arnold et al. 1998). Model outputs are estimates of the local water budget (storage, stream flow, runoff, infiltration, interception, and evapotranspiration) that allow us to understand geospatially, where the best location to install RDS is (Figure 2; arrows represent hot spot areas).
USGS surveyed channels using Real Time Kinematic (RTK) Global Positioning System (GPS) and a terrestrial laser scanner where rock detention structures are being installed) to develop accurate baseline conditions for monitoring change.
Surface and groundwater model results and expert opinion were combined to identify potential areas for restoration in areas of high percolation, surface water runoff and sediment yield and structures were installed in various tributaries by BR.
2016 M.S. Thesis project
Check out this amazing infographic story book, made by Chloé Fandel during her master’s program that describes this research, “Catching Water in the Desert”:
- Instrument new gabion w/ temperature sensors and wildlife cameras
- Model downward h2o movement through soil to calculate infiltration volumes…
Estimated 1 gabion increased by 60 to 380% upstream of structure & 5 gabions over a 1.5 km length of channel would increase infiltration volume by 2 to 13%.
We now have data to extract impacts of structures on vegetation, soil-moisture/recharge, sedimentation, and streamflow. This could be used to calibrate our watershed model and/or to extrapolate (with confidence) throughout the watershed to identify areas where structures could make bigger impacts in the future and the overall impact restoration could have for increasing recharge. In the meantime, our partners are putting in new structures (these are post weirs) for us to consider.
Point of contact: Laura M. Norman, Ph.D. (520-670-5510)
Publications
Norman, L. M., Callegary, J., Lacher, L., Wilson, N., Fandel, C., Forbes, B., & Swetnam, T. (2019). Modeling Riparian Restoration Impacts on the Hydrologic Cycle at the Babacomari Ranch, SE Arizona, USA. Water, 11(2), 381. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11020381