Untitled DocumentStream-aquifer interactions in effluent dominated riparian systems
Macro Theme Area:
River Systems [Project ID: R42]
PI:
Tom Meixner
CO-PI(s):
James Hogan, David Meko, Barron Orr
Basin focus:
N/A
Specific area in
basin /
field sites:
N/A
Summary/Goals: This project is funded under a Water Sustainability Program grant and reports to WSP on a fiscal year basis.
In water-limited environments, effluent is an increasingly viable water source for riparian restoration and aquifer recharge. Despite the beneficial uses of effluent, little is known about stream-aquifer interactions in effluent dominated systems. Specifically little is known about the development of a streambed clogging layer which could inhibit stream-aquifer interaction. Our research will focus on the Upper Santa Cruz River where effluent aids in maintaining safe-yield conditions in the Santa Cruz AMA. We seek to determine the spatial extent, regional importance, and temporal impact of effluent on riparian vegetation and groundwater recharge by addressing three questions. First, how important is streambed clogging in limiting stream water infiltration? Second, how important is effluent for aquifer recharge? Third, how has effluent influenced water availability to aquifers and riparian vegetation on decadal time scales?
