Project Description: The goal of this work is to improve the quality and usefulness of groundwater models by incorporating information derived from interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data and airborne electromagnetic (AEM) data. These improved groundwater models can then be adopted by water agencies to predict and assess changing conditions (e.g., climate, land use) and the outcomes of possible water management actions; this process is key to achieving sustainable groundwater management. We will test the utility of including INSAR and AEM data in groundwater modeling in two study areas, both located in California’s Central Valley. The first study area centers on Butte County in the northern end of the valley, the second study area encompasses the Kaweah Subbasin in the southern end of the valley.

End Users / Partners: Ryan Smith (Missouri University of Science and Technology), Claudia Faunt (USGS), Tom Launkes (NORCE), Butte County Department of Water Resources and Conservation, Mid-Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency, Greater Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency, East Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency, California Department of Water Resources, California State Water Board, GEI Consultants, GSI Consultants. 

Data Sources, Models, Technology: SAR data (Sentinel 1a & 1b, Envisat), AEM data, Central Valley Hydrologic Model (CVHM), Kaweah Groundwater Model, and auxiliary ground-based datasets (including GPS and well-based datasets).