Economic, Hydrologic and Environmental Appraisal of Texas Inter-basin Water Transfers: Model Development and Initial Appraisal
Abstract
Water scarcity is becoming a pervasive and persistent problem in Texas particularly in the drier
regions containing cities like San Antonio, Austin, and Corpus Christi while growth causes
emerging problems in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. A number of options are being
considered including Inter-basin water transfers (IBTs) shifting water from surplus to deficit
regions. Potential water transfers can have unforeseen or negative impacts on basin of origin,
regional economies, and or on the environment including water quality. The Texas water Code
mandates that water transfers should consider economic, environmental and water quality
impacts (in section 11.085, (K), (F)) demanding projections of impacts on water quality, aquatic
and riparian habitat in all affected basins. While there are 51 proposed Texas Inter-basin water
transfers in 2006 Texas Water Plan, there is no comprehensive evaluation of or even evaluation
methodology proposed for these transfers. The water models available in Texas have various limitations that affect their usefulness in
evaluating IBT induced economic impacts and water quality changes. Water-related models that
deal with hydrologic and environmental issues commonly focus on the quantity issues such as
water supply and water flow but do not have economic or water quality dimensions (Wurbs,
2003). Models with economic considerations tend to cover only restricted areas, for example, the
Edwards aquifer and Nueces, Frio and Guadalupe-Blanco basin regions (Gillig et al, 2001;
Watkins Jr & McKinney, 2000). Much of the research has been localized looking at only single
or a couple of basins without looking at broader statewide issues.
This research is designed to build a statewide model integrating economic, hydrologic, and
environment components. Such a model will be used to examine Texas water scarcity issues and
socially optimal water allocation along with the effects of inter-basin water transfers.
We developed an integrated economic, hydrologic, and environment model covering 21 Texas
riverbasins: Colorado, Brazos-Colorado, Brazos, Brazos-San Jacinto, Canadian, Red, Sabine,
Guadalupe, San Antonio, Sulphur, Cypress, Neches, Neches-Trinity, Trinity, Trinity-San Jacinto,
San Jacinto, Colorado-Lavaca, Lavaca, Lavaca-Guadalupe, San Antonio-Nueces, and Nueces. The model is designed to yield information to support effective public water policy making for
state agencies, water management authorities and regional water planning groups.
The surface water aspects of this project are summarized in this report. Future research work will
be focused on combining surface and ground water by integrating the Edwards Aquifer
Groundwater and River System Simulation Model (EDSIMR).
Collections
Citation
Cai, Yongxia; McCarl, Bruce A. (2007). Economic, Hydrologic and Environmental Appraisal of Texas Inter-basin Water Transfers: Model Development and Initial Appraisal. Texas Water Resources Institute. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /6074.