The potential for springflow augmentation at Comal and San Marcos Springs, central Texas

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dc.contributor.advisorSharp, John Malcolm, Jr., 1944-
dc.creatorUliana, Matthew Martin
dc.date.accessioned2019-03-21T14:39:58Z
dc.date.available2019-03-21T14:39:58Z
dc.date.issued1995
dc.description.abstractThe Edwards aquifer, a regionally-extensive carbonate aquifer in Central Texas, is the sole source of water for nearly two million people, including the City of San Antonio. Pumpage from this aquifer is jeopardizing springflow from Comal Springs (in New Braunfels, Texas) and San Marcos Springs (in San Marcos, Texas), two of the largest springs in the state. These springs provide a habitat for a number of endangered species, and are an integral part of the local economies and the overall distribution of water in Central Texas. For these reasons it is important that flow from these springs be maintained, either through aquifer management plans that limit the withdrawal and usage of water from the aquifer, or through physical augmentation of the springs. In this thesis, the feasibility of maintaining springflow by augmenting discharge from the springs is investigated. Five potential methods of springflow augmentation (enhanced recharge, subsurface flow barriers, direct addition of water to the spring lakes, injection wells, and infiltration galleries) are presented and described. Based on present knowledge of the springs, the effectiveness of each method is evaluated, and the uncertainties associated with each are discussed. Computer models of the aquifer in the vicinity of the springs are constructed and used to model the effects of two of the augmentation methods (injection wells and infiltration galleries) on aquifer levels and spring discharges. The model results are used to estimate the efficiency of each of these methods and to develop general trends related to how the aquifer responds to the introduction of water through wells and infiltration galleries. Based on model results and the hydrogeology of each spring, an assessment of the each of the augmentation methods is presented, and recommendations are made as to the appropriateness of the various technologies at each spring.en_US
dc.description.departmentEarth and Planetary Sciencesen_US
dc.format.mediumelectronicen_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2152/73726
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.26153/tsw/859
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.relation.ispartofUT Electronic Theses and Dissertationsen_US
dc.rightsCopyright © is held by the author. Presentation of this material on the Libraries' web site by University Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin was made possible under a limited license grant from the author who has retained all copyrights in the works.en_US
dc.rights.restrictionOpenen_US
dc.subject.lcshGroundwater flow--Texas--Mathematical models
dc.subject.lcshSprings--Texas--Mathematical models
dc.subject.lcshGroundwater recharge--Texas--Mathematical models
dc.subject.lcshEdwards Aquifer (Tex.)
dc.titleThe potential for springflow augmentation at Comal and San Marcos Springs, central Texasen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.genreThesisen_US
thesis.degree.departmentGeological Sciencesen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineGeological Sciencesen_US
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Texas at Austinen_US
thesis.degree.levelMastersen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Artsen_US

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