2004-05 Deliverables
Task 6 Extension
Principal Investigator(s): Charles Hart
- Continue work to solicit funding for continuation of the Pecos River Ecosystem Project to treat saltcedar trees along the Pecos River, Texas. Water quality monitoring efforts will also continue. Results will be more saltcedar treated, hence more water 'salvaged'. Report on progress in March.
- Collect and analyze data from shallow groundwater monitoring wells along the Pecos and Rio Grande Rivers. Data collected will be used to estimate evapotranspiration from saltcedar control and to estimate amount of water salvaged from control efforts. Work will be done in cooperation with Dr. Zhuping Sheng with TAES in El Paso. Progress report will be published by March. We will also be working cooperatively on this research/monitoring program with similar work being conducted near the Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico conducted by Salim Bawazir and Phil King.
- Continue work on the Pecos River to describe surface/groundwater flow patterns within saltcedar treated and untreated sites. The main objective of the project is to further document water salvage from control of saltcedar and provide an updated estimate on total water salvaged from the project. Work will be in cooperation with Dr. Zhuping Sheng with TAES in El Paso.
- Maintain and document responses on rangeland watershed management demonstration sites established in 2002. Coordinate with CEA's in Val Verde, Crockett, Presidio and Pecos counties, and Dr. Darrell Ueckert with TAES in San Angelo. A progress report will be published by March. Field days on demonstration sites will be conducted during the Fall. Producers will be educated on water conservation practices. Direct results of these practices will increase water use efficiency on rangeland and reduce sedimentation in tributaries draining into the Rio Grande River providing for higher water quality.
- Work cooperatively with the Pecos River Basin EPA 319 Project to assess water quality issues in the Pecos River Basin. This project will be a 3 year project to compliment the Rio Grande Basin Initiative and develop a comprehensive work plan for the basin. The project is a joint project with TCE, TAES, TWRI, and IBWC.
- Work Cooperatively with and assist Dr. Keith Owens to evaluate saltcedar transpiration rates on the Pecos River using sap flow measurement technology. This information will be used with no.2 above to further document water salvage potential from control of saltcedar.