194 R. W. Buddemeier et al.
tools require the input of scientists, hydrologists, engineers, and other designers
for the application of the IWRM approach to particular real-world issues. This
study describes the development and possible future implementation of an IWRM
approach in south-central Kansas, where water demand is increasing and water
quality is decreasing. The proposed solution illustrates how incorporating the
management of all types of water resources under a single umbrella and designing
the appropriate mechanisms can meet demands and tools that are needed to
achieve an integrated system.
Figure 1 shows the study area of Kansas and the specific locations suffering
from deterioration of the quality of water. Salt-water intrusion from the deep
bedrock causes gradual, but severe groundwater mineralization in that area. Two
groundwater management districts (GMDs), GMD2 and GMD5, have been
implemented to oversee the management of both the quantity and quality of the
groundwater resources in this area. The aquifer system in most of the GMD5 area
is called the Great Bend Prairie aquifer; in GMD2 to the east, this aquifer is
continuous with the Equus Beds aquifer.
The marine and terrestrial bedrock deposits in Kansas control salinity
penetration into the freshwater aquifers. In the western part of south-central
Kansas, west of US Highway 281 (see Fig. 2), deep, relatively permeable layers of
Permian-age bedrock saturated with groundwater of high salinity are separated
from the overlying freshwater aquifers by very thick Cretaceous aquiclude
formations, including the Dakota Formation, Kiowa Shale, and Cheyenne
Sandstone. East of US Highway 281, no definite separation exists between the
freshwater aquifers and the saline Permian formations. In various locations the
alluvial aquifer overlying the Permian bedrock is partially stratified into shallow
and deep aquifer units, which are separated by local thin layers and lenses of clay.
In some areas, the deep aquifer, which is in close contact with the Permian
bedrock, is completely saline. In such places, progressive mineralization of the
shallow aquifer is often observed. Groundwater resources of the entire region are
threatened by mineral intrusion from the Permian bedrock into the freshwater
aquifers, especially in areas where irrigation pumping causes salt upconing and
enhances bedrock discharge.
Numerous reports of the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) summarize studies
of the last decade and provide information about salinity penetration into the
aquifers ofGMD2 and GMD5 (e.g., Buddemeier et al. 1993, 1994a,b; Buddemeier
and Falk 1994; Garneau et al. 1995; Young 1995; Young et al. 1995a,b; Ma and
Sophocleous 1996; Quinodoz and Buddemeier 1997). This study provides a
framework for using all the accumulated information, and adds additional
important details to address specific issues of concern and their potential solution
by the IWRM approach.
tools require the input of scientists, hydrologists, engineers, and other designers
for the application of the IWRM approach to particular real-world issues. This
study describes the development and possible future implementation of an IWRM
approach in south-central Kansas, where water demand is increasing and water
quality is decreasing. The proposed solution illustrates how incorporating the
management of all types of water resources under a single umbrella and designing
the appropriate mechanisms can meet demands and tools that are needed to
achieve an integrated system.
Figure 1 shows the study area of Kansas and the specific locations suffering
from deterioration of the quality of water. Salt-water intrusion from the deep
bedrock causes gradual, but severe groundwater mineralization in that area. Two
groundwater management districts (GMDs), GMD2 and GMD5, have been
implemented to oversee the management of both the quantity and quality of the
groundwater resources in this area. The aquifer system in most of the GMD5 area
is called the Great Bend Prairie aquifer; in GMD2 to the east, this aquifer is
continuous with the Equus Beds aquifer.
The marine and terrestrial bedrock deposits in Kansas control salinity
penetration into the freshwater aquifers. In the western part of south-central
Kansas, west of US Highway 281 (see Fig. 2), deep, relatively permeable layers of
Permian-age bedrock saturated with groundwater of high salinity are separated
from the overlying freshwater aquifers by very thick Cretaceous aquiclude
formations, including the Dakota Formation, Kiowa Shale, and Cheyenne
Sandstone. East of US Highway 281, no definite separation exists between the
freshwater aquifers and the saline Permian formations. In various locations the
alluvial aquifer overlying the Permian bedrock is partially stratified into shallow
and deep aquifer units, which are separated by local thin layers and lenses of clay.
In some areas, the deep aquifer, which is in close contact with the Permian
bedrock, is completely saline. In such places, progressive mineralization of the
shallow aquifer is often observed. Groundwater resources of the entire region are
threatened by mineral intrusion from the Permian bedrock into the freshwater
aquifers, especially in areas where irrigation pumping causes salt upconing and
enhances bedrock discharge.
Numerous reports of the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) summarize studies
of the last decade and provide information about salinity penetration into the
aquifers ofGMD2 and GMD5 (e.g., Buddemeier et al. 1993, 1994a,b; Buddemeier
and Falk 1994; Garneau et al. 1995; Young 1995; Young et al. 1995a,b; Ma and
Sophocleous 1996; Quinodoz and Buddemeier 1997). This study provides a
framework for using all the accumulated information, and adds additional
important details to address specific issues of concern and their potential solution
by the IWRM approach.