GIS RESEARCH APPLICATIONS AND GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT

Texas is a state with a growing population, large areas of moderate rainfall, and limited sites well suited for reservoir construction. For these and other reasons, much of rural Texas depends upon groundwater for its water supply. As the demand for water increases, the need for groundwater management will also increase. Currently, the preferred method of groundwater management in Texas is through individual Groundwater Conservation Districts. These Groundwater Conservation Districts offer local or regional control of groundwater management, which is often preferred over statewide regulations. The Texas legislature recently passed several bills that effectively increase the formation of new groundwater conservation districts. Unfortunately, the governing boards of these new districts seldom contain hydrogeologists or groundwater engineers. Therefore, there is a lack of essential knowledge regarding local aquifers and well hydraulics. Because groundwater problems and solutions are spatial in nature and often complex in concept, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are perfectly suited to aid in groundwater management. This research has determined needs and developed examples of geo-visualization in the McLennan County Water Conservation District (MCGCD).The results are enabling the MCGCD to organize and interpret data, evaluate policy and communicate to stakeholders more efficiently.