The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) awarded a $620,000 federal Project Grant (CFDA 15.805 - Assistance to State Water Resources Research Institutes) to Texas A&M AgriLife Research to evaluate the vulnerability of urban, agricultural, and ecological sectors in the Southern Ogallala Aquifer (SOA) region to drought and wildfires, and to examine the impacts of adaptation strategies on reducing this vulnerability. The key activities under this 3-year award include: 1) modeling the SOA aquifer's response to recharge, withdrawal, and current levels; 2) simulating natural river flows and crop yields under various climate change and management scenarios; 3) assessing wildfire risk; 4) investigating the vulnerability of sectors to drought and wildfires, as well as the effectiveness of adaptation strategies; and 5) analyzing the impact of risk aversion preferences on water use behaviors and adaptation decisions. The project outcomes will provide water stakeholders and policymakers in water deficit areas with critical information to guide long-term planning and reduce vulnerability to climate-related hazards.
Generated 1/28/25, 10:00 AM