Updates on Transboundary Activities

The WRRC recently held a Zoom meeting to discuss issues related to water use and climate uncertainties in the Transboundary Santa Cruz Aquifer. The meeting, held on September 17, 2020, was organized by the WRRC as part of the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program (TAAP). The TAAP is a joint effort between the United States and Mexico to evaluate shared aquifers. Sharon B. Megdal, WRRC Director and Principal Investigator on this project, welcomed the audience, which included members of the Mexican and U.S. Sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission, the Mexican National Water Commission (CONAGUA), the Sonora State Water Commission, the Mexican Geological Service, and the US Geological Survey. Elia M. Tapia (Research Professor, Universidad de Sonora) and Eylon Shamir (Hydrologist, Hydrologic Research Center), both WRRC-TAAP collaborators, discussed past, current, and future efforts in the Transboundary Santa Cruz Aquifer, which include a hydrologic impact assessment that considers climate uncertainties and different groundwater management schemes for the Mexican portion of the aquifer. Participants provided input that will be useful to further binational TAAP efforts. 

Also on the transboundary waterfront, on September 29, 2020, WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal participated in a lively “coffee break” panel addressing US-Mexico Transboundary Groundwater: Withdrawals and Binational Implications. The discussion was hosted by the Permanent Forum of Binational Waters.