AGENDA
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS
Evening Reception Sponsors
Reception Sponsor
BECOME A SPONSOR!
The Groundwater Resources Association of California (GRA) is excited to invite you to join us as a sponsor of the seventh annual Western Groundwater Congress (WGC) to be held October 7-9, 2024 at the Lake Tahoe Everline Resort in Olympic Valley, CA. The online sponsor registration closes September 5, 2025. Registrations received after this day may not be included in printed conference documents.
Diamond Jubilee Exhibitors
Awards Luncheon Sponsors
Gold Exhibitors Premier Lanyard Sponsor Silver Exhibitors
WELCOME TO THE 2025 WESTERN GROUNDWATER CONGRESS
Hello! And welcome to the Groundwater Resources Association of California’s (GRA) 8th Annual Western Groundwater Congress (WGC). As this year’s Chair, I’m honored to welcome you to San Diego.
This conference has always been about connection - bringing together the broader groundwater community to learn, grow, and face challenges together. We know that real collaboration doesn’t just happen during panels or breakout sessions; it’s built through the relationships we carry into our daily work. And that takes trust, time, and a shared commitment to something bigger than ourselves.
Our 2025 theme, “Join Team GRA,” is an invitation. It’s about showing up and recognizing that progress happens when we work across roles, sectors, and perspectives. Groundwater management is a team effort—one that requires technical skill, open-mindedness, and a healthy dose of creativity.
The WGC is more than just a conference; it’s a home base for this community. We’re scientists, modelers, policy thinkers, drillers, educators, geologists, engineers, regulators, and students. We work in agencies, government, academia, nonprofits, private firms, and local communities across the West. And for three days, we come together as one team - sharing ideas, challenging assumptions, and strengthening the relationships that shape the future of groundwater.
This year’s program is full of opportunities to do just that. We’ve introduced a new pre-conference workshop day, expanded student participation, and curated sessions designed to foster meaningful dialogue across disciplines and organizations. The agenda reflects the breadth of groundwater work in the Western U.S.—from technical innovation and data tools to on-the-ground implementation, policy, and community partnerships. Whether you’re here for deep technical sessions, cross-sector conversations, or to grow your professional network, we’re glad you’re here.
GRA is a volunteer-powered organization, and WGC reflects the care, insight, and generosity of everyone who stepped up to make it happen. Thank you for being part of this community and part of the evolving story of groundwater in the West.
We’re excited for the week ahead—and grateful to share it with you. Whether you’re presenting, learning, connecting, or simply taking it all in, we hope you leave energized and equipped for the work ahead. Because when it comes to sustainable groundwater management, we’re all on the same team!
Savannah Tjaden Chair, Western Groundwater Congress
Environmental
Science Associates
2025
Board Member, Groundwater Resources Association
Agenda at a Glance
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6TH
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Registration and Sponsor/Exhibitor Setup
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Preconference Sessions (Preregistration Required)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7TH
7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Registration
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Continental Breakfast
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Welcome and Keynote Session
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM Morning Break
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Concurrent Sessions #1
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Networking Break
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Concurrent 60-Minute Sessions #2
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Networking Lunch
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Concurrent Sessions #3
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Afternoon Networking Break
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
SNAPP & Student Networking
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Welcome Reception and Trivia Night
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8TH
6:00 AM – 7:45 AM Darcy Dash
7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Registration
7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Continental Breakfast
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Concurrent Sessions #4
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Morning Break
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Concurrent Sessions #5
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
GRA Annual Meeting, Awards Ceremony, and Luncheon
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Concurrent Sessions #6
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Afternoon Networking Break
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Concurrent 60-Minute Sessions #7
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Poster Sessions and Evening Reception
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Closing Reception and Silent Disco
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9TH
7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Registration
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Continental Breakfast
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Concurrent Sessions #8
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Morning Networking Break
10:30 AM – 11:30
Concurrent 60-Minute Sessions #9
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Closing Remarks
2025 WESTERN GROUNDWATER CONGRESS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6TH
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM - Registration and Sponsor/Exhibitor Setup
New this year, we are setting up a day early! Feel free to come by and grab your name badges the day before and skip the morning rush for the start of our conference!
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM - Preconference Sessions (Preregistration Required)
WORKSHOP 1: HARNESSING OPENET TO SUPPORT WATER CONSERVATION
Led by Sara Larsen (OpenET Inc. Non Profit) and Dr. A.J. Purdy (California State University, Monterey Bay)
This workshop explores how to use evapotranspiration (ET) data to support implementation of water conservation initiatives. The discussion and technical demonstrations will review a series of case studies and technical workflows based on OpenET data services that will guide participants through steps related to the establishment of historical use patterns, strategies for on-farm applications and participation, and estimation of the conserved consumptive use of water - variables that are critical elements of a successful demand management program.
WORKSHOP 2: PFAS VISUALIZATION AND REMEDIATION CASE STUDIES WORKSHOP
Led by Dr. Grant Carey (Porewater Solutions) and Dr. Paul Erickson (REGENESIS)
This interactive workshop explores practical tools and real-world case studies for understanding and treating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater. Participants will learn about visualization methods for PFAS site characterization, remediation, and forensic assessments. Participants will also learn about in-situ remediation using colloidal activated carbon, supported by lessons from Department of Defense research programs, including the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP). The session includes hands-on training with Visual PFAS™ Lite, a free software tool provided to worksho participants for evaluating PFAS precursor transformations, characterizing plume behavior, comparing background to site impacts, and communicating findings to stakeholders. Designed for consultants, regulators, and groundwater professionals involved in PFAS site planning, analysis, and cleanup.
WORKSHOP 3: SCALING RECHARGE TOGETHER: A HANDS-ON WORKSHOP TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF FLOODMAR
Hosted by the FloodMAR Network, facilitated by Richael Young (Sustainable Conservation)
Join the FloodMAR Network for an interactive, station-based workshop designed to explore key elements of effective groundwater recharge. This pre-conference session will feature four themed stations, each hosted by subject-matter experts who will share emerging strategies, challenges, and questions—and invite your insights in return.
Participants will rotate between stations focused on:
1. Partnerships & Social License– What motivates landowners and other partners to participate in recharge, and how can we build long-term trust and shared benefits?
2. Technical Assistance & Tools – Explore decision-support tools and resources that help identify suitable recharge sites and support implementation.
3. Incentives & Funding Opportunities – Learn about incentives and funding resources that aim to encourage participation and lower implementation barriers.
4. Quantifying Recharge & Water Quality Considerations– Discuss approaches to quantifying recharge events and managing potential risks to groundwater quality.
Whether you’re a practitioner, policymaker, scientist, or community leader, your voice is essential. Help us shape the next chapter of recharge in California. For more information about the FloodMAR Network, please visit floodmar.org.
WORKSHOP 4: A PATH TO SHARED SOLUTIONS - BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE THROUGH THE NEW GROUNDWATER DEMAND MANAGEMENT NETWORK
Hosted by the Groundwater Demand Management Network, facilitated by Dave Ceppos (David M. Ceppos Public Policy Mediation and Facilitation)
This interactive workshop will convene groundwater practitioners, policymakers, and local leaders to create a shared space for learning, connection, and problem-solving around groundwater demand management. Participants will engage in dialogue on key technical and policy issues, and share lessons learned from designing and implementing demand-side programs. Hosted by the newly launched Groundwater Demand Management (GDM) Network, the session will emphasize peer learning, change management, and practical strategies to support more equitable and sustainable approaches to balancing groundwater supply and demand. Together, participants will help strengthen a growing community of practice dedicated to advancing thoughtful and effective demand management solutions across California and beyond. For more information about the Groundwater Demand Management Network, please visit https://gdmnetwork.org/
TUESDAY OCTOBER 7TH
7:30 AM - Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00 AM - Welcome/Opening Keynote
Welcome to the 2025, 8th Annual Western Groundwater Congress! Come join us for our morning remarks and outstanding Keynote Session. More information to come!
9:15 AM – Morning Break and Networking with Exhibitors
9:30 AM - Concurrent Sessions No. 1 | Choose A Track!
TRACK 1: GROUNDWATER MODELING TOOLS
• Bill Rice: Beyond Accuracy: The Economics of Running Big Groundwater Models
• Graham E. Fogg: Data-Driven Workflow for Building Reliable Groundwater Models
• Lan Liang: Modeling historical evapotranspiration and groundwater of the past half century in California Central Valley
• Raghu Suribhatla: Strategies for Development and Calibration of Numerical Groundwater Models from Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy
TRACK 2: LATEST ON REMOTE SENSING OF ET
• A.J. Purdy, PhD: Best practices for evaluating remotely sensed evapotranspiration data through comparison with eddy covariance, flowmeter and other water use data
• Daniel Smith: Flowmeters and Remote Sensing; How do the Methods Compare?
• Forrest Melton: OpenET: Supporting Sustainable Water Management with Earth Observations and Open Science
• Joel Kimmelshue, PhD: Data-Driven and Remotely Sensed Field-Level Consumptive Use Estimates for Water Resource Management and Informed Decision Making – A Summary of Three Water Years
TRACK 3: PFAS REMEDIATION
• Ben McVeigh: Treatment Technology Considerations at Plating Facilities Comingled with PFAS and Chromium-6
• John Sankey: Containerized Thermal Treatment System for the Destruction of PFAS in Contaminated Soils
• Lauren Soos: Applying Thermal Conduction Heating for PFAS-Impacted Soil Remediation
• Manmeet (Meeta) Pannu: In-Situ Gravity Driven PFAS Removal During MAR and Economic Feasibility
TRACK 4: MACHINE LEARNING AND DATA ANALYTICS
• Hope Hauptman: Using machine learning to predict 1,2,3-trichloropropane contamination from legacy non-point source pollution of groundwater in California’s Central Valley
• Lisa Haney: Prado Digital Twin: Building a Scalable Compliance and Environmental Intelligence Tool
• Nisai Wanakule: Managing Integrated Water Resources Under Rainfall and Demand Uncertainty
• Tom Henderson: Safe Yield Uncertainty Evaluation Using Model Ensembles for the San Jacinto Groundwater Basin
11:00 AM – Networking Break
2:00 PM - Concurrent Sessions No. 2 | Choose A Track!
TRACK 1: MINI SESSION: INNOVATIONS IN WELL DATA COLLECTION AND REGISTRATION TOOLS
• Braden Povah: Connecting GSAs and Stakeholders: Building the Subcurrent Platform to Streamline Well Registration
• Matt Beamon, James Schneider, & John Henry Burns: Developing a domestic well inventory in the context of SGMA – a multi-faceted approach
TRACK 2: MINI SESSION: TOOLS FOR SUBSIDENCE MANAGEMENT
• Leila Saberi: Going Back to Go Forward—A case for using long-term data to improve land subsidence
• Wesley Neely: A novel empirical approach to estimate critical head for subsidence management
TRACK 3: PANEL: ONE GROWER, THREE RULEBOOKS: COORDINATING SGMA, NITRATE MZS & ILRP
Moderator: Melissa Turner, President, MLJ Environmental
Panelists:
• Morgan Campbell, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Westside Water Authority
• Charlotte Schuil, Water Program Manager, 4Creeks
• Caitie Diemel, Executive Director, Stanislaus County Farm Bureau
• Dave Halopoff, Assistant General Manager, Cawelo Water District
TRACK 4: PANEL: FROM PROBLEM SOLVERS TO PROBLEM DEFINERS: ADVANCING AI IN WATER MANAGEMENT AMID INDUSTRY TRANSFORMATION
Moderator: Roohi Toosi, President at APEX Environmental & Water Resources, Co-Founder at APEX Engineering AI Corporation
Panelists:
• Amber Boone, General Manager, South Orange County Wastewater Authority
• Betsy Miller, General Manager, San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District
• Lisa Haney, Executive Director, Orange County Water District
12:30 PM – Networking Lunch
2:00 PM - Concurrent Sessions No. 3 | Choose A Track!
TRACK 1: RECYCLED WATER & ASR
• Dustin Graves, R.G.: Applied Recharge Effects on Solute Transport in the Vadose Zone and Potential Groundwater Impacts
• Jillian Troyer: Transport Modeling to Evaluate Potential Geochemical Effects of Managed Aquifer Recharge in The Treasure Valley
• Michael Goymerac: Go Time: Critical Nature of Collaboration in IPR Well Startup, for Pure Water Soquel
• Rodney Fricke: Permitting Process for an Agricultural ASR Pilot Test in Kern County, California
TRACK 2: IMPROVEMENTS IN GROUNDWATER MONITORING
• Charles Dunning, PhD.: Leveraging Domestic Wells for Affordable Monitoring of Basin-Scale Dynamics and Impacts to Drinking Water Wells
• Emmons McKinney: Tracing the Pulse of Groundwater through Monitoring Data
• Jerry Burns: Measuring Stormflow in Ephemeral Washes: A Simple, Low-Cost Monitoring Approach
• Todd Halihan: Regional Groundwater Monitoring Using Electrical Hydrogeology
GROUNDWATER EXPERTS
PROVIDING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR MANAGING OUR CRITICAL WATER RESOURCES
Related Services
Water Resources Modeling
Managed Aquifer Recharge
Interconnected Surface Water Analysis
Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems
Subsidence Analysis
Stormwater Management
PFAS
Sustainable Groundwater Management
Groundwater Quality
TRACK 3: PFAS MODELING
• Andy Campbell: A Stiff Method for Fingerprinting PFAS Data Using HAG Plots
• Hiroko Hort: PFAS Remediation model (REMFluor-MD) for Understanding and Managing PFAS in the Saturated Zone
• Juan Camilo Rincon Rodriguez: Field Comparison of Groundwater and Contaminant Mass Flux: Better Remediation Design Through Improved Conceptual Site Models
• Ryan Russell: Utilizing 1D Mathematical Modeling to Investigate PFAS Leaching from the Vadose Zone to Groundwater
TRACK 4: STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING GROUNDWATER DEMAND
• Andrew Ayres: Adjudication Before & After SGMA: Economic Drivers & Barriers
• Ben Scandella: Case Study: Collaboratively Modeling Reductions in Pumping to Stabilize Groundwater Level Declines with Adaptive Management in the Harney Basin, Oregon.
• Savannah Tjaden: From Policy to Practice: Operationalizing Water Accounting with the Groundwater Accounting Platform Playbook
• Stephanie Tillman, MS: Spatial Approaches to Optimizing Groundwater Sustainability Measures for GSP Implementation
3:30 PM – Afternoon Networking Break
4:00 PM – Student Networking and Participation Program (SNAPP)
SNAPP Talks is a special conference session that provides students the opportunity to practice and showcase their presentation skills and network with a variety of professionals in the water industry. Selected participants will give 3-minute presentations with a handful of slides that introduce themselves and highlight their research topic or recent project. Moderated by Gus Tolley, PhD (DBS&A)
5:00 PM – Welcome Reception
Join us for a lively Welcome Reception where you can connect with fellow attendees over drinks, and ice cream! Stop by for a sweet treat and enjoy a fun-filled evening in the beautiful setting of San Deigo, setting the perfect tone for the rest of the conference.
WEDESDAY OCTOBER 8TH
6:00 AM – Darcy Dash 5K Walk/Run
Rise and Run! Dust off your running shoes and join us for the Darcy Dash 5k and celebrate this WGC tradition against the backdrop of the San Diego Bay! Participants, please meet in the hotel lobby by 6:00 AM for a 5k go-at-your-own-pace walk/run.
7:00 AM – Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 AM - Concurrent Sessions No. 4 | Choose A Track!
TRACK 1: MAR PROJECTS: DESIGNING FOR IMPACT
• Colby Lubanowski: Global Insights, Local Impact: Empowering MAR Initiatives with Advanced AEM
• Kristen Marberry: Applied Geophysics for Recharge and Basin Characterization Projects
• Lindsey Bunting: Developing Successful Stormwater Capture and Managed Aquifer Recharge Programs
• Rick Cramer: Developing the Workflow for Robust Geologic Models to Optimize Groundwater Projects
TRACK 2: APPLIED GROUNDWATER MODELS
• Garrett Rapp, PE: The Aquifer Ripple Effect: Uncertainty in Advanced Groundwater Management
• Kapo Coulibaly: Why Fundamentals of Hydrogeology Still Matter: The Case of Centro Subarea in the Mojave Desert
• Michael Morphew: Evaluation of Precipitation Products for Hydrologic Modeling of an Orographically-Driven California Coastal Watershed
• Najwa Pitois: Decisions, Decisions: Modeling for Decision Support under the Water Resilience Initiative in the Santa Clarita Valley
TRACK 3: WATER QUALITY MODELS
• Baibaswata Bhaduri: Modeling Fate and Transport of Legacy Agricultural Nitrate in Central Arizona’s Pinal Basin
• Barbara Dalgish: Salinity Simulations in the Central Valley: An Archetype Analysis in the DeltaMendota Subbasin
• Melissa Turner: Advancing Groundwater Protection Through Data-Driven Value Calculations in California’s Central Valley
• Uditha Bandara: A New Solute Transport Module for the Integrated Water Flow Model to Support Water Quality Modeling in Central Valley, California
TRACK 4: STRATEGIES FOR LAND REPURPOSING PROGRAMS
• Christopher Heppner, PhD, PG: Land Repurposing Program Development in the Turlock Subbasin: A Grower-Centered Solution to Groundwater Demand Reduction
• Duncan MacEwan: Groundwater Demand Management: Economic Incentives and Program Design
• Max Dugan: Land Repurposing Progress and Needs for Sustainable Groundwater Management and Communities
• Roshni Katrak-Adefowora: Community-Driven and Multibenefit Land Repurposing Solutions for Groundwater Resilience
10:00 AM – Morning Break and Networking with the Exhibitors
10:30 AM - Concurrent Sessions No. 5 | Choose A Track!
TRACK 1: AQUIFER CHARACTERIZATION: INNOVATIONS IN TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES
• Ayman Alzraiee: An Interactive Toolbox for Streamlining Pneumatic Slug Test Data Analysis
• Barbara Carrera: Not forgotten in the back of the drawer – Breathing New Life into Geophysical Data for Groundwater Modeling
• Timothy K. Parker, PG, CEG, CG: Transforming resistivity data to lithology for towed transient electromagnetic (tTEM) surveys in Pajaro River Watershed
• Tony Morgan, PG, CHG: Tried and True v. New and Innovative – A Comparison of Aquifer Hydrologic Characterization Techniques
TRACK 2: FLOODPLAINS, FLOWPATHS, AND GDES: CONNECTING SURFACE WATER AND GROUNDWATER SYSTEMS
• Ate Visser: Understanding the Benefits of Floodplain Restoration to Groundwater
• Georgina King: Advancing Groundwater Sustainability: Improving Characterization and Management of Interconnected Surface Water and Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems
• Javier Peralta: Improved characterization of stream and lakebed sediments using Floating Transient Electromagnetics (FloaTEM)
• Sarfaraz Alam: Mapping Subsurface Complexity Using Electrical Resistivity: Insights from the Santa Clara River Corridor
TRACK 3: WATER QUALITY PROGRAMS & POLICIES
• David Fairman: Managed Aquifer Recharge and Water Quality Permitting Considerations
• Debra Dunn: The Role of the Kings Water Alliance in Achieving Nitrate Compliance and Safe Drinking Water Goals
• Kelly Rodman: California’s Urban Stormwater Infiltration Policy
• Rick Viergutz: Complexities of Addressing SGMA Groundwater Quality Sustainable Management Criteria for Contaminants in Urban Basins
TRACK 4: GOVERNANCE IN GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT
• Anaya Hall: Governing Groundwater: Lessons from Southern California’s Adjudicated Basins
• Anona L Dutton, PG, CHg: Pointing Fingers or Holding Hands? How To Assign Responsibility for / Coordinate to Achieve Sustainable Management Criteria When the Issues Cross Jurisdictional Boundaries
• Esther Conrad & Nicole Larson IFC: Pathways to Groundwater Sustainability: Assessing Implementation of Groundwater Sustainability Plans in the Central and South Coast of California
• Sierra Ryan: Santa Cruz County’s Updated Well Ordinance - Where Science Meets Policy
12:00 PM – GRA Annual Meeting, Awards Ceremony, and Luncheon
Celebrate the people and progress that make GRA thrive! Join us for a plated luncheon as we recognize this year’s award recipients and their outstanding contributions to the groundwater community. Along with honoring our awardees, you’ll hear important updates on GRA’s initiatives and have the opportunity to connect and network with fellow members and colleagues.
1:30 PM - Concurrent Sessions No. 6 | Choose A Track!
TRACK 1: CA DWR’S BASIN CHARACTERIZATION PROGRAM UPDATES
• Ben Brezing: DWR’s Basin Characterization: Data Access and Visualization
• Katherine Dlubac: DWR’s Basin Characterization: Introduction to Data Analysis Tools
• Mesut Cayar: Basin Characterization Tools: Aquifer Recharge Potential Mapping Process
• Vivek Bedekar & Sercan Ceyhan: Basin Characterization Tools: Interpreting AEM and lithology log data for hydrostratigraphic models, texture models and groundwater model parametrization
TRACK 2: TOOLS FOR MODELING GROUNDWATER-SURFACE WATER INTERACTIONS
• Jeffrey C. Davids: Better Models Need Better Measurements - Characterizing Stream-Aquifer Exchanges with Stream Reach Water Budgets
• Kyle Mattingly & Paula Rueda-Villamil: Exploring Large-Scale and Small-Scale Analyses of Groundwater-Surface Water Interactions
• Marina Reyes Lopez Mautner: Streamlining California water management tools: a coupled IWFMWEAP approach for modeling stream-aquifer interactions in the Central Valley
• Richard Niswonger: Modeling Developed Watersheds in California: Integrating Water Operations and Hydrology with MODSIM-GSFLOW
TRACK 3: INNOVATIONS IN CONTAMINANT REMEDIATION
• Anuradha Garg: Phytoremediation to manage soil salinity and prevent groundwater contamination in arid agro-ecosystems
• Joseph Liles: WRD, Los Angeles Forebay, Perchlorate Cleanup Project
• Keith Munsey, L.G.: Overcoming Challenges of a Deep Aquifer Impacted by Chlorinated Solvents to Expedite Remediation Timeframes Compared to Ex-Situ Alternatives
• Tyler Abercrombie, EIT: Pulling Double Duty with Strong Base Anion Exchange Resins
TRACK 4: SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TOOLS & MODELS
• Christina Boggs-Chavira & Christopher Lyles: Leveraging existing assistance and engagement programs at DWR to help forge policy, governance, and outreach and engagement nexuses while working across jurisdictions.
• Indigo Bannister & Pamela Van Halesma: From Outreach to Outcomes: Coordinated Community Engagement Strategies for Sustainable Groundwater Management
• Lucy Hedley: Transforming Groundwater Basin Reporting: Enhancing Engagement with Interactive Story Maps
• Rebecca Quist & Kassy Chauhan: Shifting the Narrative: Driving Change in a Storied Agricultural Region
3:00 PM – Networking Break
3:30 PM - Concurrent Sessions No. 7 | Choose A Track!
TRACK 1: PANEL: INFORMATION TO ACTION: BASIN CHARACTERIZATION TO INFORM GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT
Moderator: Steven Springhorn, PG, California Department of Water Resources
Panelists:
• TBD
TRACK 2: PANEL: A BORREGO SPRINGS STORY – HOW A COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE WATER RESOURCE SUCCESS IN A CRITICALLY OVERDRAFT BASIN
Moderator: Trey Driscoll, PG, CHG
Panelists:
• Samantha Adams, Business Sector Leader, West Yost Associates
• James Bennett, PG, CHG, Water Resources Manager, County of San Diego
• Geoff Poole is the General Manager for the Borrego Water District (BWD)
• Legal TBD
• Environmental/Community TBD
TRACK 3: WORKSHOP: THE STATE OF ACCEPTABILITY CRITERIA AND THE FUTURE OF EARTHWORK IN CALIFORNIA
Panelists:
• TBD
TRACK 4: PANEL: GROUNDWATER TRADING MARKETS: OPPORTUNITIES & SOLUTIONS FOR DEMAND MANAGEMENT
Moderator: Bryan David, WestWater
Panelists:
• TBD
4:30 PM – Poster Session and Networking Reception
6:30 PM – Silent Disco and Evening Reception
It’s a dance party & reception like no other – no noise, just pure immersive fun, appetizers and beverages set at the iconic mid-century hotel Town & Country Resort – San Deigo. Unwind and connect with attendees.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9TH
7:00 AM – Registration
7:30 AM – Continental Breakfast
8:30 AM - Concurrent Sessions No. 8 | Choose A Track!
TRACK 1: GEOPHYSICS AND SITE CHARACTERIZATION FOR GROUNDWATER APPLICATIONS
• Adam Hutchinson: Mass Removal of Deep Fine-Grained Layer to Improve Recharge Capacity of a Large Recharge Basin, Orange County Water District
• Emily Imperato: Use of Geophysical Logs to Identify Base of Freshwater and Underground Source of Drinking Water in Central San Joaquin Valley, California
• Maria Pinzon Arevalo: Integrating Oilfield Data and Tools to Characterize Deeper Aquifer Systems
• Max Halkjaer: Why more geophysical data improves the hydrogeological interpretation
TRACK 2: WATER SUPPLY PLANNING
• Brandon McLean: From the Ground up: Building a forward-thinking water well program focused on resilience and sustainability in the Hueco Bolson, Fort Bliss, Texas
• Kyle Spears: Optimizing Wellfield Development Using Powerful Scanning Technology and Robust Data Integration
• Lyndsey Bloxom & Clair Nordlie: Build ASR into Your Water Supply through Adaptive, Progressive Planning
• R. Jeffrey Davis: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Aquifer Storage and Recovery: Innovations in Predictive Modeling, Optimization, and Risk Mitigation
TRACK 3: SEA LEVEL RISE/SALTWATER INTRUSION
• Ava Lazor, PG: Finding the Sweet Spot for the Salty Spot: Siting a New Brackish Groundwater Extraction Well to Mitigate Legacy Saltwater Intrusion and Protect Existing Production in the Niles Cone Groundwater Basin
• Chris Coppinger & Patrick O’Connell: Untidaled: Aquifer Parameter Analysis and Extraction Well Design under tidally influenced conditions on the Ventura County Coast
• Hanni Blair: Groundwater Modeling to Assess Potential Projects to Mitigate Seawater Intrusion in Salinas Valley, CA
• Jason Gurdak: Uncertainties and Limitations of Groundwater Emergence Maps for the Santa Clara Subbasin, South San Francisco Bay, California
TRACK 4: PLANNING AND PERMITTING MAR PROJECTS
• Erica Haight: Implementing the Flood Diversion and Recharge Enhancement Initiative in California
• Geno Mammini: Siting, Design, and Permitting Challenges from a Newly Permitted Underground Storage Facility
• Jason Wiener: Setting Protective Flows for Flood-Managed Aquifer Recharge Diversions to Enhance Dry-Season Baseflows in Scott River
• Thi Nhu Khanh Nguyen: Assessing Aquifer Recharge Potential in Sierra Valley Basin under Climate Change
10:00 AM – Morning Networking Break
10:30 AM - Concurrent Sessions No. 9 | Choose A Track!
TRACK 1: WORKSHOP: ADVANCEMENTS IN WELL REHABILITATION - BOTH IN PROCEDURES AND CHEMISTRY
Presented By: Edd Schofield & Mike Schnieders
TRACK 2: PANEL: GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL STREAM FLOWS, DEMAND MANAGEMENT, INCENTIVES, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT – A CASE STUDY OF THE NAPA VALLEY SUBBASIN
Moderator: Jamison Crosby
Panelists:
• TBD
TRACK 3PANEL: THE ENERGY–GROUNDWATER NEXUS: IMPACTS, INNOVATIONS, AND COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVES
Moderator: Marina Mautner, PHD
Panelists:
• TBD
TRACK 4: PANEL: FROM POLICY TO PEOPLE: STEPPING UP WITH COMMUNITIES IN SGMA IMPLEMENTATION
Moderator: Marina Deligiannis
Panelists:
• TBD
11:30 AM – Closing Remarks
