Abstract

ArcGIS Server Application for Metering and Evaluating Agricultural Water Use
Track: Water Resources
Authors: Gerald Crenwelge

The High Plains Underground Water Conservation District is the largest water conservation district in Texas, covering a 16-county region. The District oversees water use from the Ogallala Aquifer, and is seeking to extend the usable lifespan of the aquifer under its 50/50 management goal of having 50 percent of the saturated thickness of the Ogallala Aquifer available in 50 years. To facilitate this, new rules were recently implemented requiring that water use be metered. The District has developed an ArcGIS Server/FlexViewer-based system that allows users to interactively map and report their meters in association with land ownership and permitted wells to calculate annual water production allowances. The web interface allows rapid and efficient reporting of production parameters by the water users directly into the GIS, which is validated by the District's GIS staff and further analyzed and reported to ensure that the District is meeting its 50/50 management goal.