BACKGROUND
Historically, water has been a readily available resource in the Rio Grande Basin. However, as a result of flow alterations, population growth, and prolonged recent droughts, we have come to appreciate that water is a finite commodity that is frequently in relatively short supply in this region.
The highly-publicized water dispute between the United States and Mexico regarding the Rio Grande, which reached presidential level in both countries, has focused international attention on the evasive goal of managing the Rio Grande for its sustainable use, as well as the environmental and economic consequences of not achieving this goal.
Against this background, the SAWC Research Project was funded by the US Department of Agriculture in 2004 to develop an integrated, inter-disciplinary water resource management approach for ensuring the sustainable use of this transboundary river system as a freshwater source to satisfy present and future human and ecosystem water needs.
Achieving this goal involves utilization of the diverse expertise and skills of researchers from all the universities in the Texas State University System in addressing specific project elements.
The SAWC Research Project comprises a total of 19 research programs that focus on agriculture and other major water uses in the Rio Grande basin. Elements of the project include:
- collecting, analyzing, and modeling the basin’s surface and groundwater resources;
- forecasting water supply-demand;
- examining agricultural water use practices,
- identifying and analyzing the basin’s terrestrial and aquatic habitats and biological integrity; and
- establishing comprehensive databases for public use.
SAWC Research will augment earlier and ongoing activities dealing with various water issues in the basin. Particular attention will be paid to regional water planning efforts in the Rio Grande basin and the goals of other local, state and federal agencies.
