DEVELOPING THE VISUAL NARRATIVE OF AN AQUIFER

In order to create groundwater management strategies for aquifers, managers require aids that synthesize disparate information sources. This study introduces a process for incorporating mixed media information into a decision support process for water allocation. One innovative aspect of the system is the integration of visual narrative. Data collected reflects the concerns of stakeholders for a test case in the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer. Use of visual narrative techniques in the decision making process may influence and provide insight for change and modifications of a physical system by revealing social, political and economic concerns.

Components of a physical system can be represented effectively through visual techniques. In this research, content analysis is applied to the narrative of an aquifer to describe the critical boundaries, limits, and time. Generally, the power of a narrative allows researchers to move beyond voiced concerns to the unvoiced conditions of an aquifer. The narrative for this physical system incorporates geologic information, land use changes, and cultural transitions. This linkage provides new insight into behavior of a flow system and modifications of human demands with time. Data were collected by searching historical archives for photos relating to the Barton Springs segment and human induced modifications to the recharge and contributing zones are evaluated with demographic data, ranging from land use maps, aerial photos, city planning records, recreational use data, economic indicators. Aquifer narratives are an important tool for the development of water management strategies that can be used to address the complex desires of multiple stakeholders with limited water resources. They serve as an educational tool to communicate key issues of concern in a sensitive environment. Narractives are powerful tool in formulating water policy.