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Wesley Henson, Ph.D. (Former Employee)

Science and Products

Study area map Salinas Valley, Monterey County, California.

Salinas Valley Operational Model: Interlake Tunnel and San Antonio Spillway Modification Project

An operational model for Salinas Valley is needed to evaluate and compare ecosystem, conservation, and water demands. This model must simulate current operations, assess benefits of and evaluate scenarios for tunnel operation and potential reservoir and spillway modifications.
By
California Water Science Center
Salinas Valley Operational Model: Interlake Tunnel and San Antonio Spillway Modification Project

Salinas Valley Operational Model: Interlake Tunnel and San Antonio Spillway Modification Project

An operational model for Salinas Valley is needed to evaluate and compare ecosystem, conservation, and water demands. This model must simulate current operations, assess benefits of and evaluate scenarios for tunnel operation and potential reservoir and spillway modifications.
Learn More
Salinas Valley

Salinas and Carmel Rivers Basin Study: Paso Robles Model Update

The existing Paso Robles Basin Model (PRBM) needed to be updated and enhanced to achieve the timeline and objectives of the Salinas Carmel River Basin Study (SCRBS) for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and local partners.
By
California Water Science Center
Salinas and Carmel Rivers Basin Study: Paso Robles Model Update

Salinas and Carmel Rivers Basin Study: Paso Robles Model Update

The existing Paso Robles Basin Model (PRBM) needed to be updated and enhanced to achieve the timeline and objectives of the Salinas Carmel River Basin Study (SCRBS) for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and local partners.
Learn More
Salinas Valley

Salinas and Carmel River Basins Study

Together, the Salinas and Carmel river basins include some of the world’s most fertile agricultural lands and are internationally known for their natural beauty; ecological diversity; multi-national cultural history; and recreation opportunities such as fishing, auto racing, and golfing. The area is oftentimes referred to as the “Salad Bowl of the World” or “America’s Salad Bowl” because of the...
By
California Water Science Center
Salinas and Carmel River Basins Study

Salinas and Carmel River Basins Study

Together, the Salinas and Carmel river basins include some of the world’s most fertile agricultural lands and are internationally known for their natural beauty; ecological diversity; multi-national cultural history; and recreation opportunities such as fishing, auto racing, and golfing. The area is oftentimes referred to as the “Salad Bowl of the World” or “America’s Salad Bowl” because of the...
Learn More
a field being irrigated

SGMApy: An open source platform for computing sustainability metrics and visualizing MODFLOW data

Climate change and demographic changes have underscored the need to improve effectiveness of managing valuable water resources for sustainability. In 2014, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) established a framework for sustainable, local groundwater management. SGMA requires groundwater-dependent regions to halt overdraft and bring basins into balanced levels of pumping and recharge...
By
California Water Science Center
SGMApy: An open source platform for computing sustainability metrics and visualizing MODFLOW data

SGMApy: An open source platform for computing sustainability metrics and visualizing MODFLOW data

Climate change and demographic changes have underscored the need to improve effectiveness of managing valuable water resources for sustainability. In 2014, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) established a framework for sustainable, local groundwater management. SGMA requires groundwater-dependent regions to halt overdraft and bring basins into balanced levels of pumping and recharge...
Learn More
Pajaro Valley

Pajaro Valley Hydrologic Model Update, Data Collection, and Analysis for Sustainability

The Pajaro Valley is home to a billion-dollar agricultural industry, providing food and food processing services for the nation. The water for these enterprises is supplied, in large part, by the groundwater resources (aquifers) in the area. The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PV Water) and the USGS have partnered to improve aquifer monitoring software, allowing better quantification and...
By
California Water Science Center
Pajaro Valley Hydrologic Model Update, Data Collection, and Analysis for Sustainability

Pajaro Valley Hydrologic Model Update, Data Collection, and Analysis for Sustainability

The Pajaro Valley is home to a billion-dollar agricultural industry, providing food and food processing services for the nation. The water for these enterprises is supplied, in large part, by the groundwater resources (aquifers) in the area. The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PV Water) and the USGS have partnered to improve aquifer monitoring software, allowing better quantification and...
Learn More
Pajaro Valley

Simulation of Water Resources Management in the Pajaro Valley

Two key hydrologic issues in all coastal aquifer systems are the delineation and the management of the renewable water resources. The proper development and management of the renewable resources helps to minimize ground-water mining of the lower aquifer systems, and minimizes overdraft and seawater intrusion of the upper aquifer system while maximizing the sustainable yield of the renewable water...
By
California Water Science Center
Simulation of Water Resources Management in the Pajaro Valley

Simulation of Water Resources Management in the Pajaro Valley

Two key hydrologic issues in all coastal aquifer systems are the delineation and the management of the renewable water resources. The proper development and management of the renewable resources helps to minimize ground-water mining of the lower aquifer systems, and minimizes overdraft and seawater intrusion of the upper aquifer system while maximizing the sustainable yield of the renewable water...
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 19

Salinas Valley Integrated Hydrologic and Reservoir Operations Model, Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties, California Salinas Valley Integrated Hydrologic and Reservoir Operations Model, Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties, California

The Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin in Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties of California is a highly productive agricultural area, contributes significantly to the local economy, and provides a substantial portion of vegetables and other agricultural commodities to the Nation. Increases in agricultural development and population have put increasing demand on both surface water and...
By
California Water Science Center

Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models: Input Inflow Data Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models: Input Inflow Data

This dataset provides time series for the ungaged watershed inflows and associated inflow points for the Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models (SVHM), including the Salinas Valley Integrated Hydrologic Model (SVIHM) and the Salinas Valley Operational Model (SVOM). Monthly outflows from watersheds that do not have gages that surround the Salinas River Valley are used in the Lower Salinas...
By
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Paso Robles Hydrologic Model: Future Climate Data Paso Robles Hydrologic Model: Future Climate Data

This digital dataset contains the gridded future climate data for the same modeled extent as the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin Model (GEOSCIENCE and Todd Groundwater, 2015). The monthly climate data for the Paso Robles Hydrologic Model are based on the Salinas and Carmel River Basins Study (SCRBS) future climate scenarios (Henson and others, 2024). SCRBS considers one baseline climate...
By
California Water Science Center

Salinas Valley Watershed Model: Application of Hydrologic Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF) Salinas Valley Watershed Model: Application of Hydrologic Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF)

This model archive contains the datasets, procedures, and necessary program code used to describe the Salinas Valley Watershed Model (SVWM). The SVWM simulates the daily historical water balance and hydrologic conditions for the Salinas Valley study area including the many un-gaged tributary subdrainages in the rugged and mountainous upland areas surrounding flat-lying valley lowlands...
By
California Water Science Center

Salinas Valley Hydrologic System: Land Use Data Salinas Valley Hydrologic System: Land Use Data

This digital dataset contains the land use data used for both the Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models (SVHM): the Salinas Valley Watershed Model (SVWM), the Salinas Valley Integrated Hydrologic Model (SVIHM), and Salinas Valley Operational Model (SVOM)). Land use data were compiled from available state, local, and federal datasets. Available multi-year composite land use data were...
By
California Water Science Center

Carmel River Basin Hydrologic Models: Future Climate Data Carmel River Basin Hydrologic Models: Future Climate Data

This digital dataset contains the gridded future climate data used for the Carmel River Basin Hydrologic Model. The daily climate data for the Carmel River Basin Hydrologic Model Hydrologic Model are based on the Salinas and Carmel River Basins Study (SCRBS) future climate scenarios (Henson and others, 2024). SCRBS considers one baseline climate scenario that represents recent historical...
By
California Water Science Center

Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models: Future Climate Data Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models: Future Climate Data

This digital dataset contains the gridded future climate data used for the Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models. The monthly climate data for Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models are based on the Salinas and Carmel River Basins Study (SCRBS) future climate scenarios [Henson and others, 2024). SCRBS considers one baseline climate scenario that represents recent historical climate...
By
California Water Science Center

Demonstration of simulating agricultural water demands using the MODFLOW-OWHM2 Farm Process with an example from Paso Robles Basin Demonstration of simulating agricultural water demands using the MODFLOW-OWHM2 Farm Process with an example from Paso Robles Basin

The Paso Robles groundwater basin (PR) encompasses approximately 500,000 acres and is located in the upper portion of the Salinas River watershed in the San Luis Obispo (SLO) and Monterey counties, Central Coast region of California (.\ancillary\Figures\Figure 1. Site Map.tif from this data release; California Department of Water Resources, 2003). Agriculture makes up a large part of the...
By
California Water Science Center

Salinas and Carmel Rivers Basin Study (SCRBS): Future Climate Salinas and Carmel Rivers Basin Study (SCRBS): Future Climate

This digital dataset contains the baseline and future climate data used as the basis for analysis of current and future water supplies and demands in the Salinas and Carmel Rivers Basin Study (SCRBS). SCRBS uses a suite of integrated hydrologic models to explore impacts of future climate and socioeconomic scenarios on water supplies and demands in the basins. SCRBS considers one baseline...
By
California Water Science Center

Monthly crop irrigation withdrawals and efficiencies by HUC12 watershed for years 2000-2020 within the conterminous United States (ver. 2.0, September 2024) Monthly crop irrigation withdrawals and efficiencies by HUC12 watershed for years 2000-2020 within the conterminous United States (ver. 2.0, September 2024)

The USGS has published United States water-use data every five years since 1950. To increase the temporal and spatial availability of water use estimates using nationally consistent methods, the USGS is developing national water-use models for each major water-use category. This data release publishes crop irrigation withdrawals for the conterminous United States (CONUS) that are...
By
Oregon Water Science Center, Integrated Water Availability Assessments

Irrigation water use reanalysis for the 2000-20 period by HUC12, month, and year for the conterminous United States (ver. 2.0, September 2024) Irrigation water use reanalysis for the 2000-20 period by HUC12, month, and year for the conterminous United States (ver. 2.0, September 2024)

This data release provides a monthly irrigation water use reanalysis for the period 2000-20 for all USGS Watershed Boundary Dataset of Subwatersheds (HUC12) in the conterminous United States (CONUS). Results include reference evapotranspiration (ETo), actual evapotranspiration (ETa), irrigated areas, consumptive use, and effective precipitation for each HUC12. ETo and ETa were estimated...
By
California Water Science Center, Integrated Water Availability Assessments

Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models: Agricultural and Municipal Water Supply and Groundwater Data (ver. 2.1, August 2024) Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models: Agricultural and Municipal Water Supply and Groundwater Data (ver. 2.1, August 2024)

This digital dataset contains the datasets related to agricultural and municipal water supply and groundwater in the Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models (LSVHM), including the Salinas Valley Operational Model (SVOM) and the Salinas Valley Integrated Hydrologic Model (SVIHM). Groundwater inflow and outflow data include reported groundwater pumpage and groundwater elevations obtained...
By
California Water Science Center
Filter Total Items: 14

Application of Hydrologic Simulation Program—FORTRAN (HSPF) as part of an integrated hydrologic model for the Salinas Valley, California Application of Hydrologic Simulation Program—FORTRAN (HSPF) as part of an integrated hydrologic model for the Salinas Valley, California

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Monterey County Water Resources Agency, conducted studies to help evaluate the surface-water and groundwater resources of the Salinas Valley study area, consisting of the entire Salinas River watershed and several smaller, adjacent coastal watersheds draining into Monterey Bay. The Salinas Valley study area is a highly productive...
Authors
Joseph A. Hevesi, Wesley R. Henson, Randall T. Hanson, Elizabeth Rae Jachens, Sandra Bond, Marisa Melody Earll, Deidre Herbert
By
California Water Science Center

Salinas Valley integrated hydrologic and reservoir operations models, Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties, California Salinas Valley integrated hydrologic and reservoir operations models, Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties, California

The area surrounding the Salinas Valley groundwater basin in Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties of California is a highly productive agricultural area, contributes significantly to the local economy, and provides a substantial portion of vegetables and other agricultural commodities to the Nation. This region of California provides about half of the Nation’s lettuce, celery, broccoli...
Authors
Wesley R. Henson, Randy Hanson, Scott E. Boyce, Joseph A. Hevesi, Elizabeth Rae Jachens
By
California Water Science Center

Evaluating seawater intrusion forecast uncertainty under climate change in the Pajaro Valley, California Evaluating seawater intrusion forecast uncertainty under climate change in the Pajaro Valley, California

Climate change and climate variability impacts such as rising sea levels have the potential to exacerbate seawater intrusion and the strain on coastal freshwater resources in already stressed groundwater basins such as those in the Pajaro Valley groundwater basin, California. Regional hydrologic models are often coupled with climate projections to forecast future hydrologic conditions...
Authors
Marisa M. Earll, Wesley R. Henson, Brian Lockwood, Scott E. Boyce
By
California Water Science Center

Detection and measurement of land-surface deformation, Pajaro Valley, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, California, 2015–18 Detection and measurement of land-surface deformation, Pajaro Valley, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, California, 2015–18

Land-surface deformation (subsidence) caused by groundwater withdrawal is identified as an undesirable result in the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency’s Basin Management Plan and California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. In Pajaro Valley, groundwater provides nearly 90 percent of the total water supply. To aid the development of sustainable groundwater management criteria...
Authors
Justin T. Brandt, Marisa M. Earll, Michelle Sneed, Wesley R. Henson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center, Land Subsidence in California

Rio Grande transboundary integrated hydrologic model and water-availability analysis, New Mexico and Texas, United States, and northern Chihuahua, Mexico Rio Grande transboundary integrated hydrologic model and water-availability analysis, New Mexico and Texas, United States, and northern Chihuahua, Mexico

Changes in population, agricultural development and practices (including shifts to more water-intensive crops), and climate variability are increasing demands on available water resources, particularly groundwater, in one of the most productive agricultural regions in the Southwest—the Rincon and Mesilla Valley parts of Rio Grande Valley, Doña Ana and Sierra Counties, New Mexico, and El...
Authors
Randall T. Hanson, Andre B. Ritchie, Scott E. Boyce, Amy E. Galanter, Ian A. Ferguson, Lorraine E. Flint, Alan L. Flint, Wesley R. Henson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

One-Water Hydrologic Flow Model: A MODFLOW based conjunctive-use simulation software One-Water Hydrologic Flow Model: A MODFLOW based conjunctive-use simulation software

The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Modular Ground-Water Flow Model (MODFLOW-2005) is a computer program that simulates groundwater flow by using finite differences. The MODFLOW-2005 framework uses a modular design that allows for the easy development and incorporation of new features called processes and packages that work with or modify inputs to the groundwater-flow equation. A...
Authors
Scott E. Boyce, Randall T. Hanson, Ian Ferguson, Wolfgang Schmid, Wesley R. Henson, Thomas Reimann, Steffen W. Mehl, Marisa M. Earll
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center

Integrated hydrologic modeling of the Salinas River, California, for sustainable water management Integrated hydrologic modeling of the Salinas River, California, for sustainable water management

The Salinas River is the largest river in California’s Central Coast region. Groundwater resources of the Salinas River basin are used to meet water supply needs, including crop irrigation and municipal water supply. Two large multipurpose reservoirs also supply irrigation and municipal water uses. Historical imbalances between supply and demand have resulted in sinking groundwater...
Authors
Joseph A. Hevesi, Wesley R. Henson, Randall T. Hanson, Scott E. Boyce
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center

Spatially distributed denitrification in a karst springshed Spatially distributed denitrification in a karst springshed

Karst spring measurements assess biogeochemical processes occurring within groundwater contributing areas to springs (springsheds) but can only provide aggregated information. To better understand spatially distributed processes that comprise these aggregated measures, we investigated aquifer denitrification evidence in groundwater wells (n = 16) distributed throughout a springshed in...
Authors
Wesley R. Henson, Matthew J. Cohen, Wendy D. Graham
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center

UZIG research: Measurement and characterization of unsaturated zone processes under wide-ranging climates and changing conditions UZIG research: Measurement and characterization of unsaturated zone processes under wide-ranging climates and changing conditions

Unsaturated zone properties and processes are central to understanding the interacting effects of land-use change, contamination, and hydroclimate on our ability to grow food, sustain clean water supplies, and minimize loss of life and property. Advances in unsaturated zone science are being achieved through collaborations across traditional boundaries where information from biological...
Authors
Jared J. Trost, Benjamin B. Mirus, Kimberlie Perkins, Wesley R. Henson, John R. Nimmo, Rafael Munoz-Carpena
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

What makes a first‐magnitude spring?: Global sensitivity analysis of a speleogenesis model to gain insight into karst network and spring genesis What makes a first‐magnitude spring?: Global sensitivity analysis of a speleogenesis model to gain insight into karst network and spring genesis

Often, karstic conduit network geometry is unknown. This lack of knowledge represents a significant limitation when modeling flow and solute transport in karst systems. In this study, we apply Morris Method Global Sensitivity Analysis to a speleogenesis model to identify model input parameters, and combinations thereof, that most significantly influence evolution of karst conduit...
Authors
Wesley R. Henson, Rob de Rooij, Wendy D. Graham
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center

Input data processing tools for the integrated hydrologic model GSFLOW Input data processing tools for the integrated hydrologic model GSFLOW

Integrated hydrologic modeling (IHM) encompasses a vast number of processes and specifications, variable in time and space, and development of models can be arduous. Model input construction techniques have not been formalized or made easily reproducible. Creating the input files for integrated hydrologic models requires complex GIS processing of raster and vector datasets from various...
Authors
Murphy A. Gardner, Charles G. Morton, Justin L. Huntington, Richard G. Niswonger, Wesley R. Henson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Rio Grande transboundary integrated hydrologic model and water-availability analysis, New Mexico and Texas, United States, and Northern Chihuahua, Mexico Rio Grande transboundary integrated hydrologic model and water-availability analysis, New Mexico and Texas, United States, and Northern Chihuahua, Mexico

Errata**September 28, 2018: The purpose of a USGS Open-file report (OFR) is dissemination of information that must be released immediately to fill a public need or information that is not sufficiently refined to warrant publication in one of the other USGS series. As part of that refinement process, an error was discovered in one of the input data sets of the Rio Grande Transboundary...
Authors
Randall T. Hanson, Andre B. Ritchie, Scott E. Boyce, Ian Ferguson, Amy E. Galanter, Lorraine E. Flint, Wesley R. Henson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center

CalPUR-LUE CalPUR-LUE

Estimating High Resolution Multi-Cropped Irrigated Land Use Using a Pesticide Use Reporting Database in California Estimating the amount of water needed for agriculture is vital for food and water security. These estimates rely on maps of crop type and acreage that have limited ground-truthing or represent multiple years or regional cropping patterns. In regions where crops change...
By
California Water Science Center

CRT: Cascade Routing Tool to Define and Visualize Flow Paths for Grid-Based Watershed Models CRT: Cascade Routing Tool to Define and Visualize Flow Paths for Grid-Based Watershed Models

The U.S. Geological Survey Cascade Routing Tool (CRT) is a computer application for watershed models that include the coupled Groundwater and Surface-water FLOW model GSFLOW and the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS). CRT generates output to define cascading surface and shallow subsurface flow paths for grid-based model domains.
By
California Water Science Center

MODPATH Observation Process (MODPATH-OBS) MODPATH Observation Process (MODPATH-OBS)

The MODPATH-OBS ( Hanson and others, 2013) computer program is designed to calculate simulated equivalents for observations related to advective groundwater transport that can be represented in a quantitative way by using simulated particle-tracking data.
By
California Water Science Center

New Data on Salinas Valley Hydrology

California’s Salinas Valley is one of the most productive agricultural basins in the world due to the fertile valley soil, temperate climate, and...

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Science and Products

Study area map Salinas Valley, Monterey County, California.

Salinas Valley Operational Model: Interlake Tunnel and San Antonio Spillway Modification Project

An operational model for Salinas Valley is needed to evaluate and compare ecosystem, conservation, and water demands. This model must simulate current operations, assess benefits of and evaluate scenarios for tunnel operation and potential reservoir and spillway modifications.
By
California Water Science Center
Salinas Valley Operational Model: Interlake Tunnel and San Antonio Spillway Modification Project

Salinas Valley Operational Model: Interlake Tunnel and San Antonio Spillway Modification Project

An operational model for Salinas Valley is needed to evaluate and compare ecosystem, conservation, and water demands. This model must simulate current operations, assess benefits of and evaluate scenarios for tunnel operation and potential reservoir and spillway modifications.
Learn More
Salinas Valley

Salinas and Carmel Rivers Basin Study: Paso Robles Model Update

The existing Paso Robles Basin Model (PRBM) needed to be updated and enhanced to achieve the timeline and objectives of the Salinas Carmel River Basin Study (SCRBS) for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and local partners.
By
California Water Science Center
Salinas and Carmel Rivers Basin Study: Paso Robles Model Update

Salinas and Carmel Rivers Basin Study: Paso Robles Model Update

The existing Paso Robles Basin Model (PRBM) needed to be updated and enhanced to achieve the timeline and objectives of the Salinas Carmel River Basin Study (SCRBS) for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and local partners.
Learn More
Salinas Valley

Salinas and Carmel River Basins Study

Together, the Salinas and Carmel river basins include some of the world’s most fertile agricultural lands and are internationally known for their natural beauty; ecological diversity; multi-national cultural history; and recreation opportunities such as fishing, auto racing, and golfing. The area is oftentimes referred to as the “Salad Bowl of the World” or “America’s Salad Bowl” because of the...
By
California Water Science Center
Salinas and Carmel River Basins Study

Salinas and Carmel River Basins Study

Together, the Salinas and Carmel river basins include some of the world’s most fertile agricultural lands and are internationally known for their natural beauty; ecological diversity; multi-national cultural history; and recreation opportunities such as fishing, auto racing, and golfing. The area is oftentimes referred to as the “Salad Bowl of the World” or “America’s Salad Bowl” because of the...
Learn More
a field being irrigated

SGMApy: An open source platform for computing sustainability metrics and visualizing MODFLOW data

Climate change and demographic changes have underscored the need to improve effectiveness of managing valuable water resources for sustainability. In 2014, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) established a framework for sustainable, local groundwater management. SGMA requires groundwater-dependent regions to halt overdraft and bring basins into balanced levels of pumping and recharge...
By
California Water Science Center
SGMApy: An open source platform for computing sustainability metrics and visualizing MODFLOW data

SGMApy: An open source platform for computing sustainability metrics and visualizing MODFLOW data

Climate change and demographic changes have underscored the need to improve effectiveness of managing valuable water resources for sustainability. In 2014, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) established a framework for sustainable, local groundwater management. SGMA requires groundwater-dependent regions to halt overdraft and bring basins into balanced levels of pumping and recharge...
Learn More
Pajaro Valley

Pajaro Valley Hydrologic Model Update, Data Collection, and Analysis for Sustainability

The Pajaro Valley is home to a billion-dollar agricultural industry, providing food and food processing services for the nation. The water for these enterprises is supplied, in large part, by the groundwater resources (aquifers) in the area. The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PV Water) and the USGS have partnered to improve aquifer monitoring software, allowing better quantification and...
By
California Water Science Center
Pajaro Valley Hydrologic Model Update, Data Collection, and Analysis for Sustainability

Pajaro Valley Hydrologic Model Update, Data Collection, and Analysis for Sustainability

The Pajaro Valley is home to a billion-dollar agricultural industry, providing food and food processing services for the nation. The water for these enterprises is supplied, in large part, by the groundwater resources (aquifers) in the area. The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PV Water) and the USGS have partnered to improve aquifer monitoring software, allowing better quantification and...
Learn More
Pajaro Valley

Simulation of Water Resources Management in the Pajaro Valley

Two key hydrologic issues in all coastal aquifer systems are the delineation and the management of the renewable water resources. The proper development and management of the renewable resources helps to minimize ground-water mining of the lower aquifer systems, and minimizes overdraft and seawater intrusion of the upper aquifer system while maximizing the sustainable yield of the renewable water...
By
California Water Science Center
Simulation of Water Resources Management in the Pajaro Valley

Simulation of Water Resources Management in the Pajaro Valley

Two key hydrologic issues in all coastal aquifer systems are the delineation and the management of the renewable water resources. The proper development and management of the renewable resources helps to minimize ground-water mining of the lower aquifer systems, and minimizes overdraft and seawater intrusion of the upper aquifer system while maximizing the sustainable yield of the renewable water...
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 19

Salinas Valley Integrated Hydrologic and Reservoir Operations Model, Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties, California Salinas Valley Integrated Hydrologic and Reservoir Operations Model, Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties, California

The Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin in Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties of California is a highly productive agricultural area, contributes significantly to the local economy, and provides a substantial portion of vegetables and other agricultural commodities to the Nation. Increases in agricultural development and population have put increasing demand on both surface water and...
By
California Water Science Center

Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models: Input Inflow Data Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models: Input Inflow Data

This dataset provides time series for the ungaged watershed inflows and associated inflow points for the Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models (SVHM), including the Salinas Valley Integrated Hydrologic Model (SVIHM) and the Salinas Valley Operational Model (SVOM). Monthly outflows from watersheds that do not have gages that surround the Salinas River Valley are used in the Lower Salinas...
By
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Paso Robles Hydrologic Model: Future Climate Data Paso Robles Hydrologic Model: Future Climate Data

This digital dataset contains the gridded future climate data for the same modeled extent as the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin Model (GEOSCIENCE and Todd Groundwater, 2015). The monthly climate data for the Paso Robles Hydrologic Model are based on the Salinas and Carmel River Basins Study (SCRBS) future climate scenarios (Henson and others, 2024). SCRBS considers one baseline climate...
By
California Water Science Center

Salinas Valley Watershed Model: Application of Hydrologic Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF) Salinas Valley Watershed Model: Application of Hydrologic Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF)

This model archive contains the datasets, procedures, and necessary program code used to describe the Salinas Valley Watershed Model (SVWM). The SVWM simulates the daily historical water balance and hydrologic conditions for the Salinas Valley study area including the many un-gaged tributary subdrainages in the rugged and mountainous upland areas surrounding flat-lying valley lowlands...
By
California Water Science Center

Salinas Valley Hydrologic System: Land Use Data Salinas Valley Hydrologic System: Land Use Data

This digital dataset contains the land use data used for both the Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models (SVHM): the Salinas Valley Watershed Model (SVWM), the Salinas Valley Integrated Hydrologic Model (SVIHM), and Salinas Valley Operational Model (SVOM)). Land use data were compiled from available state, local, and federal datasets. Available multi-year composite land use data were...
By
California Water Science Center

Carmel River Basin Hydrologic Models: Future Climate Data Carmel River Basin Hydrologic Models: Future Climate Data

This digital dataset contains the gridded future climate data used for the Carmel River Basin Hydrologic Model. The daily climate data for the Carmel River Basin Hydrologic Model Hydrologic Model are based on the Salinas and Carmel River Basins Study (SCRBS) future climate scenarios (Henson and others, 2024). SCRBS considers one baseline climate scenario that represents recent historical...
By
California Water Science Center

Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models: Future Climate Data Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models: Future Climate Data

This digital dataset contains the gridded future climate data used for the Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models. The monthly climate data for Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models are based on the Salinas and Carmel River Basins Study (SCRBS) future climate scenarios [Henson and others, 2024). SCRBS considers one baseline climate scenario that represents recent historical climate...
By
California Water Science Center

Demonstration of simulating agricultural water demands using the MODFLOW-OWHM2 Farm Process with an example from Paso Robles Basin Demonstration of simulating agricultural water demands using the MODFLOW-OWHM2 Farm Process with an example from Paso Robles Basin

The Paso Robles groundwater basin (PR) encompasses approximately 500,000 acres and is located in the upper portion of the Salinas River watershed in the San Luis Obispo (SLO) and Monterey counties, Central Coast region of California (.\ancillary\Figures\Figure 1. Site Map.tif from this data release; California Department of Water Resources, 2003). Agriculture makes up a large part of the...
By
California Water Science Center

Salinas and Carmel Rivers Basin Study (SCRBS): Future Climate Salinas and Carmel Rivers Basin Study (SCRBS): Future Climate

This digital dataset contains the baseline and future climate data used as the basis for analysis of current and future water supplies and demands in the Salinas and Carmel Rivers Basin Study (SCRBS). SCRBS uses a suite of integrated hydrologic models to explore impacts of future climate and socioeconomic scenarios on water supplies and demands in the basins. SCRBS considers one baseline...
By
California Water Science Center

Monthly crop irrigation withdrawals and efficiencies by HUC12 watershed for years 2000-2020 within the conterminous United States (ver. 2.0, September 2024) Monthly crop irrigation withdrawals and efficiencies by HUC12 watershed for years 2000-2020 within the conterminous United States (ver. 2.0, September 2024)

The USGS has published United States water-use data every five years since 1950. To increase the temporal and spatial availability of water use estimates using nationally consistent methods, the USGS is developing national water-use models for each major water-use category. This data release publishes crop irrigation withdrawals for the conterminous United States (CONUS) that are...
By
Oregon Water Science Center, Integrated Water Availability Assessments

Irrigation water use reanalysis for the 2000-20 period by HUC12, month, and year for the conterminous United States (ver. 2.0, September 2024) Irrigation water use reanalysis for the 2000-20 period by HUC12, month, and year for the conterminous United States (ver. 2.0, September 2024)

This data release provides a monthly irrigation water use reanalysis for the period 2000-20 for all USGS Watershed Boundary Dataset of Subwatersheds (HUC12) in the conterminous United States (CONUS). Results include reference evapotranspiration (ETo), actual evapotranspiration (ETa), irrigated areas, consumptive use, and effective precipitation for each HUC12. ETo and ETa were estimated...
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California Water Science Center, Integrated Water Availability Assessments

Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models: Agricultural and Municipal Water Supply and Groundwater Data (ver. 2.1, August 2024) Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models: Agricultural and Municipal Water Supply and Groundwater Data (ver. 2.1, August 2024)

This digital dataset contains the datasets related to agricultural and municipal water supply and groundwater in the Lower Salinas Valley Hydrologic Models (LSVHM), including the Salinas Valley Operational Model (SVOM) and the Salinas Valley Integrated Hydrologic Model (SVIHM). Groundwater inflow and outflow data include reported groundwater pumpage and groundwater elevations obtained...
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California Water Science Center
Filter Total Items: 14

Application of Hydrologic Simulation Program—FORTRAN (HSPF) as part of an integrated hydrologic model for the Salinas Valley, California Application of Hydrologic Simulation Program—FORTRAN (HSPF) as part of an integrated hydrologic model for the Salinas Valley, California

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Monterey County Water Resources Agency, conducted studies to help evaluate the surface-water and groundwater resources of the Salinas Valley study area, consisting of the entire Salinas River watershed and several smaller, adjacent coastal watersheds draining into Monterey Bay. The Salinas Valley study area is a highly productive...
Authors
Joseph A. Hevesi, Wesley R. Henson, Randall T. Hanson, Elizabeth Rae Jachens, Sandra Bond, Marisa Melody Earll, Deidre Herbert
By
California Water Science Center

Salinas Valley integrated hydrologic and reservoir operations models, Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties, California Salinas Valley integrated hydrologic and reservoir operations models, Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties, California

The area surrounding the Salinas Valley groundwater basin in Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties of California is a highly productive agricultural area, contributes significantly to the local economy, and provides a substantial portion of vegetables and other agricultural commodities to the Nation. This region of California provides about half of the Nation’s lettuce, celery, broccoli...
Authors
Wesley R. Henson, Randy Hanson, Scott E. Boyce, Joseph A. Hevesi, Elizabeth Rae Jachens
By
California Water Science Center

Evaluating seawater intrusion forecast uncertainty under climate change in the Pajaro Valley, California Evaluating seawater intrusion forecast uncertainty under climate change in the Pajaro Valley, California

Climate change and climate variability impacts such as rising sea levels have the potential to exacerbate seawater intrusion and the strain on coastal freshwater resources in already stressed groundwater basins such as those in the Pajaro Valley groundwater basin, California. Regional hydrologic models are often coupled with climate projections to forecast future hydrologic conditions...
Authors
Marisa M. Earll, Wesley R. Henson, Brian Lockwood, Scott E. Boyce
By
California Water Science Center

Detection and measurement of land-surface deformation, Pajaro Valley, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, California, 2015–18 Detection and measurement of land-surface deformation, Pajaro Valley, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, California, 2015–18

Land-surface deformation (subsidence) caused by groundwater withdrawal is identified as an undesirable result in the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency’s Basin Management Plan and California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. In Pajaro Valley, groundwater provides nearly 90 percent of the total water supply. To aid the development of sustainable groundwater management criteria...
Authors
Justin T. Brandt, Marisa M. Earll, Michelle Sneed, Wesley R. Henson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center, Land Subsidence in California

Rio Grande transboundary integrated hydrologic model and water-availability analysis, New Mexico and Texas, United States, and northern Chihuahua, Mexico Rio Grande transboundary integrated hydrologic model and water-availability analysis, New Mexico and Texas, United States, and northern Chihuahua, Mexico

Changes in population, agricultural development and practices (including shifts to more water-intensive crops), and climate variability are increasing demands on available water resources, particularly groundwater, in one of the most productive agricultural regions in the Southwest—the Rincon and Mesilla Valley parts of Rio Grande Valley, Doña Ana and Sierra Counties, New Mexico, and El...
Authors
Randall T. Hanson, Andre B. Ritchie, Scott E. Boyce, Amy E. Galanter, Ian A. Ferguson, Lorraine E. Flint, Alan L. Flint, Wesley R. Henson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

One-Water Hydrologic Flow Model: A MODFLOW based conjunctive-use simulation software One-Water Hydrologic Flow Model: A MODFLOW based conjunctive-use simulation software

The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Modular Ground-Water Flow Model (MODFLOW-2005) is a computer program that simulates groundwater flow by using finite differences. The MODFLOW-2005 framework uses a modular design that allows for the easy development and incorporation of new features called processes and packages that work with or modify inputs to the groundwater-flow equation. A...
Authors
Scott E. Boyce, Randall T. Hanson, Ian Ferguson, Wolfgang Schmid, Wesley R. Henson, Thomas Reimann, Steffen W. Mehl, Marisa M. Earll
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center

Integrated hydrologic modeling of the Salinas River, California, for sustainable water management Integrated hydrologic modeling of the Salinas River, California, for sustainable water management

The Salinas River is the largest river in California’s Central Coast region. Groundwater resources of the Salinas River basin are used to meet water supply needs, including crop irrigation and municipal water supply. Two large multipurpose reservoirs also supply irrigation and municipal water uses. Historical imbalances between supply and demand have resulted in sinking groundwater...
Authors
Joseph A. Hevesi, Wesley R. Henson, Randall T. Hanson, Scott E. Boyce
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center

Spatially distributed denitrification in a karst springshed Spatially distributed denitrification in a karst springshed

Karst spring measurements assess biogeochemical processes occurring within groundwater contributing areas to springs (springsheds) but can only provide aggregated information. To better understand spatially distributed processes that comprise these aggregated measures, we investigated aquifer denitrification evidence in groundwater wells (n = 16) distributed throughout a springshed in...
Authors
Wesley R. Henson, Matthew J. Cohen, Wendy D. Graham
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center

UZIG research: Measurement and characterization of unsaturated zone processes under wide-ranging climates and changing conditions UZIG research: Measurement and characterization of unsaturated zone processes under wide-ranging climates and changing conditions

Unsaturated zone properties and processes are central to understanding the interacting effects of land-use change, contamination, and hydroclimate on our ability to grow food, sustain clean water supplies, and minimize loss of life and property. Advances in unsaturated zone science are being achieved through collaborations across traditional boundaries where information from biological...
Authors
Jared J. Trost, Benjamin B. Mirus, Kimberlie Perkins, Wesley R. Henson, John R. Nimmo, Rafael Munoz-Carpena
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

What makes a first‐magnitude spring?: Global sensitivity analysis of a speleogenesis model to gain insight into karst network and spring genesis What makes a first‐magnitude spring?: Global sensitivity analysis of a speleogenesis model to gain insight into karst network and spring genesis

Often, karstic conduit network geometry is unknown. This lack of knowledge represents a significant limitation when modeling flow and solute transport in karst systems. In this study, we apply Morris Method Global Sensitivity Analysis to a speleogenesis model to identify model input parameters, and combinations thereof, that most significantly influence evolution of karst conduit...
Authors
Wesley R. Henson, Rob de Rooij, Wendy D. Graham
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center

Input data processing tools for the integrated hydrologic model GSFLOW Input data processing tools for the integrated hydrologic model GSFLOW

Integrated hydrologic modeling (IHM) encompasses a vast number of processes and specifications, variable in time and space, and development of models can be arduous. Model input construction techniques have not been formalized or made easily reproducible. Creating the input files for integrated hydrologic models requires complex GIS processing of raster and vector datasets from various...
Authors
Murphy A. Gardner, Charles G. Morton, Justin L. Huntington, Richard G. Niswonger, Wesley R. Henson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center

Rio Grande transboundary integrated hydrologic model and water-availability analysis, New Mexico and Texas, United States, and Northern Chihuahua, Mexico Rio Grande transboundary integrated hydrologic model and water-availability analysis, New Mexico and Texas, United States, and Northern Chihuahua, Mexico

Errata**September 28, 2018: The purpose of a USGS Open-file report (OFR) is dissemination of information that must be released immediately to fill a public need or information that is not sufficiently refined to warrant publication in one of the other USGS series. As part of that refinement process, an error was discovered in one of the input data sets of the Rio Grande Transboundary...
Authors
Randall T. Hanson, Andre B. Ritchie, Scott E. Boyce, Ian Ferguson, Amy E. Galanter, Lorraine E. Flint, Wesley R. Henson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center

CalPUR-LUE CalPUR-LUE

Estimating High Resolution Multi-Cropped Irrigated Land Use Using a Pesticide Use Reporting Database in California Estimating the amount of water needed for agriculture is vital for food and water security. These estimates rely on maps of crop type and acreage that have limited ground-truthing or represent multiple years or regional cropping patterns. In regions where crops change...
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California Water Science Center

CRT: Cascade Routing Tool to Define and Visualize Flow Paths for Grid-Based Watershed Models CRT: Cascade Routing Tool to Define and Visualize Flow Paths for Grid-Based Watershed Models

The U.S. Geological Survey Cascade Routing Tool (CRT) is a computer application for watershed models that include the coupled Groundwater and Surface-water FLOW model GSFLOW and the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS). CRT generates output to define cascading surface and shallow subsurface flow paths for grid-based model domains.
By
California Water Science Center

MODPATH Observation Process (MODPATH-OBS) MODPATH Observation Process (MODPATH-OBS)

The MODPATH-OBS ( Hanson and others, 2013) computer program is designed to calculate simulated equivalents for observations related to advective groundwater transport that can be represented in a quantitative way by using simulated particle-tracking data.
By
California Water Science Center

New Data on Salinas Valley Hydrology

California’s Salinas Valley is one of the most productive agricultural basins in the world due to the fertile valley soil, temperate climate, and...

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