The role of groundwater in contributing to surface water salinization in the Upper Colorado River Basin
Geophysical Research Letters
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Freshwater salinization impacts the availability of water for human use and ecosystem needs worldwide. It has been estimated that total dissolved solids (TDS) in the Colorado River Basin cause $350 million/year in damages and substantial resources are devoted to reducing TDS loading to streams. This study describes the development and application of coupled watershed models that enable TDS source tracking through the subsurface and across the landscape at a seasonal timestep for 35 years in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Results indicate that, on average, 75% of TDS loading to streams originates as baseflow, and 50% of loading is lagged in delivery by longer than one season. Snowmelt was identified as a dominant process controlling the transport of lagged TDS to streams. This approach informs when and where TDS mitigation efforts may be effective in a watershed that serves as a critical water supply for the southwestern United States.
Suggested Citation
Miller, M.P., Miller, O.L., Longley, P.C., Wise, D.R., McDonnell, M.C., Schmadel, N.M., and Alder, J.R., 2026, The role of groundwater in contributing to surface water salinization in the Upper Colorado River Basin: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 53, no. 8, e2025GL118834, 10 p., https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL118834.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | The role of groundwater in contributing to surface water salinization in the Upper Colorado River Basin |
| Series title | Geophysical Research Letters |
| DOI | 10.1029/2025GL118834 |
| Volume | 53 |
| Issue | 8 |
| Publication Date | April 18, 2026 |
| Year Published | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Geophysical Union |
| Contributing office(s) | WMA - Integrated Modeling and Prediction Division |
| Description | e2025GL118834, 10 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming |
| Other Geospatial | Upper Colorado River Basin |