Water Rights Services |
| DBS&A regularly provides clients with technical hydrologic analyses and associated expert testimony for water rights applications, transfers and disputes. Technical analyses may include development of groundwater flow or solute transport models, identification or evaluation of the potential water resources and water rights available to support new or existing needs, hydrogeologic analyses to establish well yields and water quality, and negotiation for purchase, lease or transfer of water rights. Our staff have considerable experience working within the frameworks of state adjudication and administrative processes, interstate water compacts, Pueblo water rights, and other agreements and operational protocols under which water rights are administered. |
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Water Rights Services |
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- Stream-Aquifer Interaction Studies
- Water Rights Acquisition/Transfer
- Water Quality and Well Contamination
- Well Siting and Design
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Water Rights Experience |
| •Field Testing and Analysis of Return Flow from Septic Leach Fields for Water Rights Application: A return flow infiltration study was conducted to determine the volume and timing of return flow from more than 1,500 septic leach fields in the vicinity of Roswell, New Mexico. Boreholes were drilled at seven locations to collect sediment samples for laboratory analysis of vadose zone and physical parameters. The drilling information was analyzed in conjunction with well log and water quality information to develop conceptual models of return flow for several hydrogeologic conditions that occur within the region of interest. One- and two-dimensional variably saturated groundwater flow modeling was used to quantify return flow volumes and timing, and to demonstrate potential return flow pathways even where nearly impermeable clay lenses exist.
•Expert Testimony Regarding Numerical Groundwater Flow Modeling and Evaluation of Salinity Encroachment for City of Alamogordo, New Mexico: DBS&A provided expert review and testimony regarding evaluation of multiple groundwater flow models applied to predict the hydrologic effects of a proposed groundwater appropriation of 10,000-acre-feet per year by the City of Alamogordo. We also conducted an assessment and provided testimony regarding the potential for encroachment of saline groundwater due to pumping the well field.
•Expert Review of Water Supply Studies and Hydrologic Analyses, City of Albuquerque, New Mexico: DBS&A provided expert third-party review of modeling and other studies conducted by another consultant on behalf of the City to support their water resources management strategy and associated water rights application for combined surface water and groundwater use.
•Development of three-dimensional regional groundwater flow model of the Roswell Underground Water Basin. The groundwater flow model was developed to be used as a tool in water resources planning and administration of water rights, and to assist with the calculation of surface water/ groundwater interaction. A modified version of the model is currently being applied to assist with basin administration.
•Technical assistance to the Hopi Tribe on their Little Colorado River (LCR) water rights negotiations and litigation. Several regional groundwater flow models of the N-aquifer in northern Arizona (approximately 5,500 square miles) were modified and applied to evaluate recharge issues and the long-term effects of various water resource development scenarios. Predictive scenarios were determined through estimated population growth for both the Hopi Tribe and the Navajo Nation, in conjunction with various supply alternatives ranging from well field development to importation of water from Lake Powell. Detailed sub-regional groundwater flow models of several critically impacted areas were developed to assess the effects of groundwater withdrawals on springs and base flow to washes. The modeling efforts and other quantitative analyses assisted the Hopi Tribe in developing an aquifer management plan in conjunction with the Navajo Nation.
•Evaluation of the potential water resources available to support operation of a large industrial facility in southern New Mexico. The scope or work included an analysis of water rights administration within the regional alluvial basins, estimation of availability of water rights for purchase/lease, hydrogeologic analysis to establish well yield and water quality, and critical flaw analysis to aid in the site selection process.
•Analysis of historical streamflow records and preparation of a schematic of water rights within the Canadian River Basin. This allowed the Village of Cimarron preliminary identification of water rights that might be most suitable for acquisition. |
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