Mitigation of Droughts and Floods From Conjunctive Water Resource Management Using Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR): Experiments and Numerical Modeling

Author

Sumiaya Amin Preota, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Ocean, Coastal, and Earth Sciences

First Advisor

Chu-Lin Cheng

Second Advisor

Jongsun Kim

Third Advisor

Myung Hwangbo

Abstract

Water supply of Rio Grande Valley in South Texas has been impacted by intensified climate extremes such as droughts and floods. This research assessed the viability of conjunctive water resource management using Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) carbon-modified infiltration basins. Multiple environmental variables in the Arroyo Colorado watershed were investigated, i.e., (i) water availability- quantity of floodwater can be repurposed, (ii) storativity and suitability - capacity within the unsaturated aquifer and ideal locations for building infiltration basins, (iii) water quality- contaminant removal using active carbon/biochar.

Unappropriated flow and high magnitude flow (HMF) analysis indicated that excess floodwater can be a viable source for groundwater recharge without disturbing existing water rights. Subsurface 3D analysis revealed that regional soil vadose zone can accommodate a large volume of water. Sites selected within 2 km vicinity of the Arroyo Colorado River and North floodway were capable of storing up to 96% of water from the June 2018 flood event. Using actual flood event and adsorption parameters from experiments, joint HYDRUS-1D and MODFLOW-MT3DMS model simulations showed more than 99% of lead and 92–100% of ammonia can be removed while the diverted floodwater was fully infiltrated within two days.

Findings from this study demonstrate that MAR can be an effective solution for groundwater recharge while improving stormwater quality and mitigating natural hazards (floods/droughts). The developed framework offers better water management practices in building long-term water security and resilience for arid/semi-arid and flood-prone regions.

Comments

Copyright 2025 Sumiaya Amin Preota. https://proquest.com/docview/3240621828

Recommended Citation

Preota, S. (2025). Mitigation of Droughts and Floods From Conjunctive Water Resource Management Using Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR): Experiments and Numerical Modeling [Master's thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/1724