Enhancing Hydrologic Forecasting in the Rio Grande Basin
Project Insights
- Project Duration: 2 years (July 2024 – June 2026).
- Funding Source: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- Key Partners: US-IBWC, RFPG-15
Background
Water availability in the Rio Grande River has decreased over the past decades while the demand for water increases day by day. The Rio Grande is the second longest river in North America, totaling more than 1,800 miles in length. The Rio Grande headwaters begin in the southern Colorado Rockies and stretch south to the Gulf of Mexico. In Texas, the Rio Grande has a length of 1,273 miles, it also serves as the natural boundary between the United States and Mexico. The main tributaries in the US are Pecos, Devils, Chama, and Puerco rivers meanwhile in Mexico are Conchos, Salados, and San Juan Rivers.
Study Area
The Texan side of the Rio Grande Basin that goes from the Amistad International Reservoir to the Gulf of Mexico, an estimated area of 6,300 mi2.
Major cities within the area of study include:
- Laredo
- El Paso
- Eagle Pass
- McAllen
Hydrologic Modeling Framework and Prototype Decision Support Tool (PDST)
RATES is working towards the development of 1) a demonstrable hydrologic forecasting framework and 2) prototype decision support tool (PDST), to assist stakeholders within the Rio Grande Basin between the Amistad Reservoir and the Gulf of Mexico with water supply forecasting. The hydrologic model will be a demonstratable model with the potential to be run continuously.
Past Presentations
Workshop No. 1: November 5th, 2024, hosted at the Laredo Water Museum.
Upcoming Presentations
May 2025: Western Water Applications Office (WWWAO) Meeting at Albuquerque, NM.
January – March 2026: Workshop No. 2. Location TBD.
Contact us:
Christopher Fuller, PhD – Principal Investigator
cfuller@ratesresearch.org
Ivan Santos, MS – Project Manager
isantos@office.ratesresearch.org