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Problem Statement:
Conjunctive management of surface water and ground water has
become increasingly important as water supply and water quality issues intensify. However, water law and environmental
policies regulate surface water and ground water separately. Water resource managers are becoming
more aware of the importance of the hydrologic connection between surface
water and ground water, especially in stream/aquifer systems. Future water and environmental
professionals must possess the capabilities to analyze interconnected
hydrologic systems. Quantifying
the degree of interaction between streams and aquifers is important in arid
locations for the administration of surface water and ground water
rights. Even in areas with
excess precipitation and surface water flow, excessive withdrawals of
cleaner, more potable ground water supplies are depleting aquifer storage
and nearby surface water reservoirs.
The fate of many rivers, lakes, and wetlands are at the mercy of
future economic development and ground water pumping. Water quality exchange between a
stream and aquifer is becoming even more important for developing
integrated watershed models capable of simulating all hydrologic pathways
of contamination, especially for the development of total maximum daily
loads (TMDLs).
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