MODELING FLUVIAL CHANGES USING LIDAR, 2006-2011, CAMERON COUNTY, TEXAS

Population growth and economic development along the US-Mexican border, especially along the Rio Grande proximal to the delta region, is concerning for the fluvial development of the Rio Grande along the Cameron County, Texas, border. Agriculture has increased substantially in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, impacting surface water usage and flow rates along the river. Other types of water diversion and surface water usage have impacted the flow of the Rio Grande substantially. The River has stopped flowing into the Gulf of Mexico numerous times since the beginning of the century and the tidal environment at the mouth of the river has been significantly impacted due to this drought of water. The Rio Grande is heavily modified, but is naturally flowing along the Cameron County border with Mexico. Similarly, the Arroyo Colorado is a river that flows through parts of Cameron County and has been heavily modified along parts of its course to the Gulf of Mexico. The purpose of the study is to document the fluvial changes to the Rio Grande and Arroyo Colorado rivers from 2006-2011, including comparison between the evolution of the two fluvial systems. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data was obtained from Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS) to determine geomorphic changes based on elevation data related to the Rio Grande River between 2006 and 2011. Multi-spectral imagery was used to supplement the geomorphic interpretation in order to assess land use changes that have affected the recent evolution of the fluvial bodies and associated riparian systems.