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1-7 Modified infiltration basins to enhance water quantity and quality: Potential managed aquifer recharge (MAR) in Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas

Session: Advances in Managed Aquifer Recharge

Presenting Author:

Chu-Lin Cheng

Authors:

Preota, Sumiaya Amin¹, Cheng, Chu-Lin², Kim, Jongsun³, Hwangbo, Myung⁴

(1) School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Science, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, Texas, USA, (2) School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Science, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, USA, (3) School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Science, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, Texas, USA, (4) School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Science, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, Texas, USA,

Abstract:

Intensified and yet uneven climate extremes have greatly impacted many semi-arid and arid regions. This research investigated the viability of conjunctive water resource management, i.e., mitigating droughts and floods, using carbon-modified infiltration basins as managed aquifer recharge (MAR) strategy. Water availability model was first applied to assess unappropriated flow and high magnitude flow (HMF) from flood events. With subsurface 3D hydrogeological analysis, regional soil vadose zones were examined for accommodating stormwater. Sites identified within vicinity of the Arroyo Colorado River and North floodway could store up to 96% of the floodwater from June 2018 flood event. Integrated HYDRUS--MODFLOW-MT3DMS simulations demonstrated more than 99% of lead and 92–100% of ammonia been removed. In addition, the diverted floodwater was able to fully infiltrate within EPA regulated duration. This study highlights that MAR can not only be an effective solution for groundwater recharge with minimal energy input, it also improves water quality and mitigates natural hazards (floods/droughts). This study offers low-cost alternatives for conjunctive water management, and it also helps build better water resilience and security for the region.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-10746

Modified infiltration basins to enhance water quantity and quality: Potential managed aquifer recharge (MAR) in Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas

Description

Session Format: Oral

Presentation Date: 10/19/2025

Presentation Start Time: 09:55 AM

Presentation Room: HBGCC, 209

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