| Scope and method of study. The purpose of this study was to analyze the water policies and tools that are available to manage water resources in times of water shortages based on the system of appropriation a state has adopted and the specific rules and regulations of a state. This was completed by: (1) comparing the water rights and policies of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico and how they vary from the eastern United States westward. (2) using MODFLOW to compare the ground water policies of Oklahoma and the Texas Groundwater Conservation District and how each policy affects an alluvial aquifer-stream system.;Findings and conclusions. Some tools such as water metering, conservation, and water reuse can be effective in any region whereas others such as permit administration, watermasters, water rotation, water sharing, and water banking are only available to the more flexible appropriation doctrine. Model simulations show that Oklahoma's water policy can limit the decline of the water table where development is low, but the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District does not. However, as the aquifer becomes more developed, the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District policy would be more sustainable and the aquifer would not be permitted to go dry. This is because the pumping rate of the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District policy is revisited every five years, but the Oklahoma policy is not. |
