Author
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Bouwer, Herman |
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Submitted to: Rivers
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/1997 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: As competition for water increases, more conflicts can be expected between users of stream water and users of groundwater, especially where there are different rights for surface water and groundwater, and where the sum of all water rights exceeds the renewable supply of both waters. In addition to water rights aspects, environmental issues often are also at stake. Conflicts now are typically adjudicated by juggling water rights and reducing groundwater pumping, often introducing concepts that have no hydrologic basis. A better approach is to consider surface water and groundwater as one continuum, and to clearly define the interactions between the two. Integrated or holistic approaches should then be used to resolve conflicts between surface water and groundwater users. Procedures for accomplishing this are presented which, when applied to actual situations, should enable water users to settle disputes equitably and fairly using sound hydrological principles. Information should be valuabl to hydrologists and water districts dealing with surface water and groundwater interactions, and water masters, adjudicators and attorneys dealing with stream depletion issues. Technical Abstract: The effects of groundwater pumping on streamflow are hydrologic issues that often are poorly understood in law. In some states, as illustrated with an Arizona example, different laws govern surface water and groundwater. In reality, however, surface water and groundwater form one continuum, and conflicts can arise when different parties use both. How groundwater pumping affects streams depends on the depth of groundwater and whether or not the stream bottom is cleaned or covered with fine sediment or organic deposits that control seepage. The basic quantitative aspects of stream-aquifer interactions are presented in four case examples. More quantitative refinements (including capture) and regional aspects can be achieved with computer models that closely simulate specific regional or basin-wide systems. Once the broader concepts are sufficiently understood, integrated or holistic water management schemes can be developed that best resolve conflicts between users of surface water and groundwater while protecting third parties such as public and environmental interests. An underlying principle of these schemes should be the balance between the desire for good scientific results with the economic reality of the cost of securing such results. |
