Water-Budget Simulations for Selected Watersheds in Cameron County, Texas, 2022–23
Links
- Document: Report (6.92 MB pdf) , XML
- Data Release: USGS Data Release - Hydrological Simulation Program—FORTRAN (HSPF) user-control, input, and output files for simulation of hydrologic conditions in selected watersheds in Cameron County, Texas, 2022–23
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Brownsville, Texas, configured and calibrated a set of hydrologic models for a 217-square-mile study area in Cameron County in south Texas during 2022–23. The models were used for estimating runoff and quantities of water diverted from the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo del Norte (hereinafter referred to as the “Rio Grande”) to maintain water-surface elevations in the canals and resacas (former distributary channels cut off from the main channel of the Rio Grande). Resacas provide habitat to aquatic species and help reduce the effects of flooding.
Because of the large size of the study area and diversity of hydrologic conditions, the study area was divided into 11 watersheds, and separate hydrologic models were developed for 9 of the watersheds. Six of the nine modeled watersheds are drained mostly by canals (canal watersheds), and three of the modeled watersheds drain to resacas (resaca watersheds). The Hydrological Simulation Program—FORTRAN was selected for modeling the study area watersheds because it is flexible in simulating a wide variety of watershed conditions.
The models were calibrated with streamflow data collected during 2022–23. The calibrated models were used to simulate water budgets (streamflow, evapotranspiration, water-storage volumes, and water diversions and withdrawals) during 2022–23. Model simulations showed that the resaca watersheds required more diversions from the Rio Grande and released less runoff than did the canal watersheds. Management practices maintaining resaca water levels constrained their runoff.
Suggested Citation
Ockerman, D.J., and Choi, N., 2026, Water-budget simulations for selected watersheds in Cameron County, Texas, 2022–23: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2025–5098, 37 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255098.
ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)
Study Area
Table of Contents
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Water-Budget Simulations of Cameron County Study Area Watersheds
- Model Development
- Water-Budget Simulation Results
- Summary
- References Cited
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Water-budget simulations for selected watersheds in Cameron County, Texas, 2022–23 |
| Series title | Scientific Investigations Report |
| Series number | 2025-5098 |
| DOI | 10.3133/sir20255098 |
| Publication Date | February 04, 2026 |
| Year Published | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center |
| Description | Report: viii, 37 p.; Data Release |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Cameron County |
| Online Only (Y/N) | Y |