Browsing by Author "Mahoney, Mikaela"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Future Water for Texas: Evaluating groundwater availability in Gonzales County, Texas using actual pumping data from 2000-2014
    (2016-04-15) Mahoney, Mikaela; Bedient, Philip B
    This study examines how well the groundwater availability model used to represent Gonzales County, Texas is able to accurately predict observed water levels from 2000-2014. The current groundwater availability model (GAM) for this area was developed using predictive pumping rates and averaged values for other inputs. The nature of the GAM's input values raises the question of whether the model is adequately representing future water levels and drawdown in GMA 13. Recorded groundwater extraction rates of the Carrizo aquifer within Gonzales County Underground Conservation District were incorporated into the current GAM to provide a more accurate representation of the water levels in Gonzales County. By incorporating the actual pumping rates from 2000-2014, the model decreased the root mean squared error by 8.1 feet, resulting in a more accurate depiction of observed water levels. The improved model allows for the implementation of more sustainable groundwater management practices in Gonzales County.