Symposium Outcomes
Conference draws wide range of attendees from various locations
By Tawney Lindsay
The Rio Grande Basin Initiative and Water Task Force at New Mexico State University sponsored the “River Terrace and Floodplain Hydrology Symposium” held in Las Cruces, NM on February 28–March 1, which drew 81 attendees from various locations, both nationally and internationally.
Drs. Alexander “Sam” Fernald, NMSU assistant professor in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences, and Steve Guldan, NMSU professor at the Ag Science Center at Alcalde, hosted the conference to assess the state of science in surface water/groundwater interaction and floodplain hydrology. Another goal was to identify gaps in understanding in order to determine future research directions.
Fernald said presentations and posters covered “basic research on hydrologic processes, computer modeling based on field measurements, remote sensing of valley water budgets and broader perspectives on managing floodplains from hydrology and ecosystem functions.”
The symposium brought together experts from New Mexico, other parts of the United States and Chile. Such a variety of expertise seemed to be beneficial to the knowledge of all attendants.
Jose Luis Arumi, a civil engineer and head of the Water Resources Department at the University of Conception in Chile, provided insight into solving water problems in North America. Since problems here are similar to the problems in Chile, Arumi said sharing of knowledge at this conference will help to solve or prevent such problems in his country.
Dr. David Cowley, assistant professor of fisheries and aquatic ecology in the Department of Fishery and Wildlife Sciences at NMSU, said, “I was hoping to help dispel the notion that irrigation is always bad for rivers and the fish that live in them.” Research presented by Cowley suggests a positive role of canals in restoring fish to the river after the channel dries. Managers looking for better ways to manage canal systems could use the information he has gained.
Hilary Brinegar, a water and natural resources policy specialist for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, said she gained knowledge for research on surface water/groundwater interaction. “It was nice to see emerging research, and it will only be beneficial to hydrologic management,” Brinegar said.
Fernald said it is a common goal for all people in attendance to “use science to manage hydrology of river floodplains to save water while simultaneously promoting the unique cultural aesthetic and ecological functions of the green river valleys that trace through the arid southwest.”
The symposium concluded with a workshop to chart future research directions and needs. A special issue paper will be published and will contain a position paper based on the workshop, proceedings and submitted papers.
