Frameworks for studying water resources sustainability require multi-disciplinary approaches. Scarcity is usually not the first issue that comes to mind when considering Great Lakes water resources. However, recent legislation is focusing attention on maintaining ecological flows in basin tributaries, including consideration of the effects of groundwater extractions on streamflows.

We have developed a systematic approach for assessing groundwater availability at the regional scale, as constrained by streamflow limits that depend on local hydrologic and ecological characteristics. This work demonstrates that “ecological scarcity” exists in the basin and allows us to explain the hydrogeologic, hydrologic, and ecologic factors that contribute to scarcity. Ultimately, the models and results of this study can be used to identify communities where interventions would be most likely to successfully reduce risks of waterborne diseases.

In this talk, Dr. Alex Mayer will discuss multi-disciplinary studies in the Laurentian Great Lakes and northwest Mexico.

Sponsored by the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment.