Title
Consider recommendation from the Research & Technology Committee to approve a contract with Southwest Research Institute, for development of a hydrologic model to estimate recharge, in an amount not to exceed $725,040.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board adopt Resolution and Order No. 09-25-131 of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors authorizing approval of Contract No. 25-018-AMS between the EAA and Southwest Research Institute, for the development of a hydrologic model to estimate recharge, in an amount not to exceed $725,040 upon signature by both parties through December 31, 2027.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the board to consider a Research & Technology Committee recommendation to approve a contract between the EAA and Southwest Research Institute to develop a hydrologic model to estimate recharge.
The EAA’s Next Generation program seeks to identify and protect environmentally sensitive lands for long-term preservation, protection, and enhancement of the Edwards Aquifer. These lands will serve both conservation and research purposes, enabling studies on groundwater flow, water quality, and recharge protection.
Past efforts, including HSPF-based watershed models and studies by Southwest Research Institute, have shown it is possible to estimate recharge at smaller, parcel-specific scales, even within the same watershed. Building on this, the EAA will undertake a multi-year project to develop a refined hydrologic modeling approach that can estimate aquifer recharge and evaluate the impacts of land management practices.
The project includes five main tasks:
1. Review existing watershed models to identify those best suited for EAA’s objectives, with emphasis on simulating karst systems, contaminant transport, and integration with groundwater models.
2. Adapt or develop a model to estimate recharge impacts, potentially integrating with models such as MODFLOW6.
3. Create GIS feature layers to visualize hydr...
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