Identifying and Characterizing Transboundary Aquifers Along the Mexico-US Border: An Initial Assessment

Journal of Hydrology, Vol. 535, pp. 101-119 (2016)

Texas A&M University School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 16-47

66 Pages Posted: 23 Apr 2016 Last revised: 13 Oct 2016

See all articles by Rosario Sanchez

Rosario Sanchez

Texas A&M University

Victoria Lopez

Texas A&M University

Gabriel Eckstein

Texas A&M University School of Law

Date Written: January 26, 2016

Abstract

The transboundary nature of water dividing Mexico and the United States (U.S.) transforms the entire border region into an instrument of cooperation, a source of conflict, a national security issue, and an environmental concern. Reasonable data collection and research analysis have been conducted for surface waters by joint governmental institutions and non-governmental bodies. However, with the exception of the U.S. Transboundary Assessment Act Program (TAAP) (focusing on the Hueco Bolson, Mesilla Bolson, San Pedro and Santa Cruz aquifers), there is no comparable research, institutional development, or assessment of transboundary groundwater issues on the frontier. Moreover, data collection and methodologies vary between the two countries, there is no broadly accepted definition of the transboundary nature of an aquifer, and available legal and policy frameworks are constrained by nonhydrological considerations. Hence, there is a conceptual and institutional void regarding transboundary groundwater resources between Mexico and the U.S. The purpose of this paper is to bridge this void and characterize transboundary aquifers on the Mexico-US border. It reviews existing international frameworks for identifying hydrological and social criteria that characterize an aquifer as transboundary. It then assesses data from both countries to propose where and which aquifers could be considered transboundary. Finally, the paper proposes an agenda for assessing Mexico-US transboundary aquifers as a means for improving groundwater management in the border region.

Suggested Citation

Sanchez, Rosario and Lopez, Victoria and Eckstein, Gabriel, Identifying and Characterizing Transboundary Aquifers Along the Mexico-US Border: An Initial Assessment (January 26, 2016). Journal of Hydrology, Vol. 535, pp. 101-119 (2016) , Texas A&M University School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 16-47, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2768164

Rosario Sanchez (Contact Author)

Texas A&M University ( email )

Langford Building A
798 Ross St.
College Station, TX 77843-3137
United States

Victoria Lopez

Texas A&M University ( email )

Langford Building A
798 Ross St.
College Station, TX 77843-3137
United States

Gabriel Eckstein

Texas A&M University School of Law ( email )

TX
United States
817-212-3912 (Phone)

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