Groundwater Policy Research: Collaboration with Groundwater Conservation Districts in Texas

Abstract

The unique nature of the Ogallala Aquifer presents interesting and confounding problems for water policymakers who are coping with changing groundwater rules in Texas. The purpose of this article is to link previous efforts in water policy research for the Ogallala Aquifer in Texas with current collaborations that are ongoing with regional water planners. A chronological progression of economic water modeling efforts for the region is reviewed. The results of two recent collaborative studies are presented that provide estimates of impacts of alternative policies on groundwater saturated thickness, water use, net farm income, and regional economic activities.

Analysis of Factors That Influence the Use of Irrigation Technologies and Water Management Practices in Arkansas

“…There are several studies in the United States related to economics of aquifer water level and its impact on agriculture. For example, both theoretical and empirical studies have analyzed various policy options to conserve groundwater in the Ogallala Aquifer (Amosson et al, 2009; Johnson et al, 2009, 2011; Wang, Park, and Jin, 2016; Wheeler et al, 2008). However, despite the fact that irrigated agriculture is an important part of the economy of Arkansas, few economic studies are available to support policy makers in designing Arkansas policies to address a decreasing groundwater supply and increasing climate variations.…”

Drivers of Price and Nonprice Water Conservation by Urban and Rural Water Utilities: An Application of Predictive Models to Four Southern States

“…We note that Boyer et al (2012) also examined the influence of water system size, primary water source, and the state where the water system is located on adoption of inclining block rates versus uniform rates; however, we examine a number of explanatory variables not addressed by that study, apply very different econometric modeling specifications, and define PC differently. Finally, agricultural water conservation has been the primary focus of the water conservation research in the southern United States (Ding and Peterson, 2012;Johnson et al, 2011;Jordan, 2008;Rister et al, 2011;Wheeler et al, 2008), and aside from this study, little is known about the adoption of urban and rural water conservation programs in southern US communities.…”

“…This is a notable departure from existing water conservation literature, which focuses primarily on PC adoption by water systems and on water systems serving only large urban communities. Additionally, much of the water conservation research in the southern United States has focused on agricultural water (e.g., Ding and Peterson, 2012;Johnson et al, 2011;Jordan, 2008;Rister et al, 2011;Wheeler et al, 2008), and little is known about the adoption of water conservation programs in rural and urban southern US communities.…”

Modeling Resource Use Responses to Macroeconomic Changes: Water in the US Southern Great Plains

“…All irrigation was assumed to be with LEPA systems, the predominant irrigation technology used on the southern High Plains 3 . Technology advancements through crop genetics or conversions to more efficient irrigation technologies were not considered over the 10year horizon of this analysis, but advancements are important for long-term (30 -60 years) projections [20,21].…”