In a study near Uvalde, nine small watersheds are being instrumented with streamflow gauges to measure surface water runoff from areas where brush has been cleared. Computer modeling studies may help more accurately estimate water savings from brush control programs. The study will develop a mathematical model that will be tested using data from research sites at Throckmorton, Uvalde, Vernon and Alice. The model could be used to evaluate the impact of various levels of brush control on water yields. Annual water budgets for shrubs and grasses were compared in another study at the LaCopita research area near Alice.
Results indicate that the amount of water evaporated and transpired from both areas was similar.
Another investigation examined water use and potential water yields from grassy and mesquite dominated areas near Throckmorton, using Iysimeters to measure plant water use, infiltration, and runoff. Researchers with the Range and Wildlife Management Department at Texas Tech University are investigating the amount of water mesquite consume, as it relates to soil moisture and rainfall. Ron Sosebee has been studying water usage of mesquite at Lubbock and Vernon. Preliminary results suggest that mesquite use as much water as is available during spring and summer months, providing limited recharge.