Examples of the research and resource management questions that will be addressed by the study include:
- How have stresses affected the volume of ground water in storage in the system ?
- How and where have changing water levels affected surface-water?
- Could existing groundwater withdrawals be optimized to reduce impacts?
- Could new groundwater withdrawals be safely permitted? If so, where?
- Can irrigation return flows be reduced without endangering ecological resources?
- Are there opportunities to enhance natural recharge?
- What would be the effect of expanding the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project into the Odessa subbasin? If expansion is limited, where would expansion be most beneficial?
- How will projected global climate changes affect quantity, timing and location of recharge, baseflow to streams, and overall groundwater availability?
These questions will be refined through a process of stakeholder involvement and results of the study will be shared at meetings and workshops.
