In this conversation, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Dr. Ralph Wurbs, professor in the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University, about modeling river and reservoir systems to support water management. Dr. Wurbs was recently selected as the inaugural recipient of the Texas Water Journal’s Texas Water Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sections
outlook+water: Drought conditions persist, a La Niña Watch, and drought expansion in the South
Summary: The amount of the state under drought conditions (D1–D4) remained the same as four weeks ago at 23%. El Niño has a 100% chance of extending through the February-March-April season, giving way to neutral conditions in April-May-June and greater odds of La Niña developing in the summer. Drought is expected to expand across the Edwards Plateau and down the Rio Grande Valley
think+water: The economics of water levels, springs drying up, and more water in the future?
This month, Dr. Robert E. Mace explores academic publications on the topics of developing an analytical model to quantify the effects of groundwater overdraft on well performance, reviewing the status of major and historical springs across the state, and evaluating future water availability in Texas through the lens of a data-driven approach.
q&a+water: Kelly Keel
In this issue’s Q&A, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, interviews Kelly Keel, who was named Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in December.
talk+water: Scott Wright
In this conversation, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Scott Wright, Principal Engineer for the River Design Group, about the impact of dam removals in river restoration efforts.