"Groundwater Dynamics of the Transboundary Mesilla-Conejos Medanos Aquifer by Geospatial Analysis to Addressing Depletion Challenges and Find Sustainable Solutions along the US-Mexico Border."

Water availability in the border region of New Mexico and Texas, US, and Chihuahua, Mexico, is limited. The transboundary aquifers of the Hueco Bolson, Mesilla (US)/Conejos Medanos(Mexico), and Valle de Juarez in Mexico, as well as the surface water of the Rio Grande, are the primary sources of this border area. The transboundary aquifer of Mesilla, known by this name in the US, is called Conejos Medanos on the Mexican side; the southern part of this aquifer is located in the north of Chihuahua, Mexico. In this area, water is scarce and does not exist recharge. Then, the transboundary aquifers in the area are being depleted. These challenges, along with the rapid population growth, have created significant issues for water management in the transboundary region, as they also involve challenges in maintaining water availability. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the groundwater flow to promote the sustainability of the transboundary aquifers and promote groundwater recharge in the area.

A comprehensive understanding of this aquifer's groundwater dynamics and flow patterns is essential to ensure effective transboundary water resource management. This study employed ArcGIS 10.4.1 to conduct a geospatial analysis of binational drawdown data of static groundwater levels from 2019. The Municipal Water and Sanitation Board of Juarez City (JMAS by its acronym in Spanish) provided the data from the Mexican side. At the same time, the United States Geological Service (USGS) supplied information from the US side. Results show groundwater flowing from north to south into Mexico, forming cones of depression around JMAS-administered well infrastructure supplying water to Juarez City. These findings indicate the aquifer's sensitivity, emphasizing the potential influence of intense pumping on groundwater availability and future economic growth. The research offers insights into data-driven approaches for understanding groundwater dynamics in transboundary regions, promoting sustainable water resource management, water security, and cross-border cooperation, which is good for promoting the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program (TAAP), Transboundary Groundwater Resilience (TGR) Network of Networks (formerly known as TGRR) funded by the National Science Foundation's Accelerating Research through International Network-to-Network Collaborations (AccelNet) program. This network promotes collaborative efforts, which are essential to address transboundary aquifer management issues and ensure the resiliency and sustainability of groundwater resources for current and future generations on both sides of the border. As we face increasing water-related challenges in a changing world, this study highlights the importance of understanding and managing transboundary aquifers as critical components of sustainable water resources management strategies.