Location: Watershed Physical Processes Research
Project Number: 6060-13000-029-054-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2026
End Date: Sep 30, 2027
Objective:
The objective of this Cooperative Agreement is to develop and apply simulations using the Advanced Terrain Simulator (ATS) across a range of spatial scales to identify groundwater recharge pathways within the Yazoo River Basin of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. This work will support improved understanding of the hydrologic processes, landscape controls, and subsurface conditions that influence recharge dynamics in this agriculturally important region, with the goal of generating analyses and tools that can inform water resource assessment, groundwater sustainability planning, and future research by USDA ARS, UConn, and collaborating stakeholders.
Approach:
USDA ARS and the University of Connecticut (UConn) will collaborate to compile, evaluate, and integrate relevant terrain, soil, hydrogeologic, land use, climate, and hydrologic datasets needed to support ATS-based simulations for the Yazoo River Basin. The project will involve developing model configurations at multiple spatial scales, testing and refining simulation assumptions, evaluating recharge pathways under representative landscape and hydrologic conditions, and producing analytical outputs that identify areas and mechanisms contributing to groundwater recharge. UConn will contribute expertise in numerical modeling, hydrologic simulation, and analysis of recharge processes, while USDA ARS will provide scientific guidance, regional knowledge, data resources, and coordination to ensure that the work addresses priority research needs for the Mississippi Alluvial Plain.