GRA 2024 WGC Agenda by HydroVisions

G roundwater

R esources

Associatio n ofCalifornia

AGENDA

The Mountains Are Calling...

Groundwater Resources Association (GRA) is excited to announce the 2024 Western Groundwater Congress (WGC): “The Mountains Are Calling…”. In 2023, we strove to bring EVERYONE to the table and emphasized that “the Future of Groundwater is YOU!” A future that requires collaborative efforts for building sustainable resources and community. In recent years, our groundwater community has experienced the undeniable impacts of climate extremes in the Western United States. In my view, this is Mother Nature prompting us into forward-thinking and preparing for the future.

The 7th WGC will be held on October 7-9, 2024, in the beautiful green mountains of Lake Tahoe at Everline Resort, Olympic Valley, CA. This year’s conference includes individual, panel and poster presentations, networking opportunities, and more. This year’s exploration spans a wide range of topics, including the evolution of SGMA, enhancing the resilience of water supplies and infrastructure, addressing public health concerns related to emerging contaminants, navigating the evolving role of technology, ensuring environmental resilience, exploring financial strategies, and more.

As we answer the call of the mountains, we invite you to join this conversation. The WGC is more than a conference; it is an opportunity to actively shape the future of the groundwater community. Join us in the mountains for a conference that promises meaningful dialogue, practical insights, and a shared commitment to a sustainable future. The Mountains Are Calling – Will You Answer?

Special Thanks to Our Annual Sponsors

Roscoe Moss Company

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the 2024 Western Groundwater Congress (WGC)! I believe life is all about the connections that we make and the impact we leave behind, and I am extremely humbled and honored to be leading the planning efforts for this year’s WGC; where we convene to connect, share our impacts, and get inspired for more. I feel extremely lucky to be the first one to welcome you to our event.

This year’s theme, “The Mountains Are Calling...”, resonates deeply as we witness the visible impacts of climate change through recent extreme weather events in the Western United States. The mountains are indeed calling us to prepare and plan for a sustainable future. We are bringing together the greatest minds, practitioners, regulators, and policymakers in the groundwater industry on one platform to strategize and innovate for our shared future.

The role of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in our world cannot be overstated, and our industry is no exception. I call it a “Contemporary Industrial Revolution” and I envision we utilize AI and Automation tools to make the best decisions based on available data at that time, while reducing the pressure on our workforce, allowing them to focus more on what matters—community and people! We are excited to kick off our conference program with a panel discussion on “Digital Transformation,” focusing on how we can prepare for these technological advancements and examine the operational, social, and environmental impacts of this transformation.

Our agenda for the conference is packed with a diverse array of technical presentations, panels, and workshops, reflecting the incredible breadth and depth of expertise within our community. We received a record-breaking number of abstract submissions this year—over 150 in total—and we are deeply grateful for all the interest and enthusiasm. To make our conference more inclusive and to accommodate more speakers, we have adjusted the time slots and provided opportunities for poster pitches during the technical sessions to ensure all contributors are recognized and appreciated.

I am beyond grateful for the WGC Co-Chair, Savannah Tjaden, the WGC Planning Committee, SMA staff, and GRA leadership, without whom this conference would not have been possible. Leading these efforts has shown me how much work goes on behind the scenes to make WGC a premier platform for all groundwater enthusiasts to attend, network, and connect with their peers. So, to all the volunteers, speakers, presenters, staff, and supporters: Thank you for being part of this wonderful event.

As we answer the call of the mountains together, let’s not forget to enjoy the beauty of our venue. The serene surroundings of Lake Tahoe provide the perfect backdrop for both meaningful dialogue and memorable experiences. Let’s have some fun in the mountains as we work towards a sustainable future.

Roohi Toosi Chair, Western Groundwater Congress 2024 Board Member, Groundwater Resources Association

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2024 WESTERN GROUNDWATER CONGRESS LAKE TAHOE EVERLINE RESORT AND SPA

OCTOBER 7-9, 2024

Agenda at a Glance

MONDAY

OCTOBER 7th

7:30 AM – 5:30 PM Registration

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Breakfast

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM Welcome Cup of Joe: A Friendly Kickstart for Newcomers

8:30 AM – 10:15 AM Welcome and Keynote Session: Harnessing Digital Waves: The Future of Water Resources & Environmental Management

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM Morning Break and 7 Minute Workout with EKI Environment & Water, Inc

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Concurrent Sessions (#1)

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM Networking Lunch

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Concurrent Sessions (#2)

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM Afternoon Networking Break

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM SNAPP & Student Networking

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM Welcome Reception and Trivia Night

TUESDAY

OCTOBER 8th

6:00 AM – 7:45 AM Darcy Dash and Morning Hike

7:00 AM – 5:30 PM Registration

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM Breakfast

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Concurrent Sessions (#3)

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Morning Break and 7 Minute Workout with EKI Environment & Water, Inc

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Concurrent Sessions (#4)

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM GRA Annual Meeting, Awards Ceremony, Legislative Update and Luncheon

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Concurrent Workshops and Panels

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM Afternoon Networking Break

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Concurrent Mini Sessions (#5)

5:00 PM – 5 :30 PM Evening DE&I Networking Break

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Poster Sessions and Evening Reception

6:30 PM – 9:00 PM Silent Disco and Yard Games

WEDNESDAY

OCTOBER 9th

7:00 AM – 10:00 AM Registration

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM Breakfast

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Concurrent Sessions (#6) 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM Morning Networking Break

10:15 AM – 12:00 PM Closing General Session 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Field Trip: Explore the complex geology and hydrogeology of the Olympic Valley

A DIFFERENT KIND OF WATER SAVINGS

EASTERN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT’S WATER BANKING PROGRAM ALLOWS FOR WATER IMPORTED FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DURING WET OR NORMAL YEARS TO PERCOLATE INTO LOCAL AQUIFERS AND BE STORED FOR USE DURING NORMAL OR DRY YEARS.

2024 WESTERN GROUNDWATER CONGRESS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7TH

7:30 AM - Registration

8:00 AM - Welcome Cup of Joe: A Friendly Kickstart for Newcomers

New to the WGC? Come join us for a morning cup of coffee and connect with GRA leadership and other WGC Veterans to learn how to get the most out of your experience!

8:30 AM - WELCOME AND KEYNOTE SESSION: HARNESSING DIGITAL WAVES: THE FUTURE OF WATER RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Navigate the ever-changing world of technology and its impact on our industry with the Keynote Panel.

Moderated by Abhishek Singh, INTERA

• Lisa Haney, Orange County Water District

• Emery Coppola, NOAH Global Solutions

• Jeff Tuel, Semios

• Robert Udermann, INTEL

10:15 AM - Standing 7-minute Workout and Networking with the Exhibitors

Join us for the Standing 7-minute Workout - get your blood pumping in between all these amazing educational sessions!

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM – Concurrent Sessions No. 1 | Choose A Track! (Session times subject to change)

TRACK 1: INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO GROUNDWATER MODELING AND MANAGEMENTPYRAMID PEAK

Moderated by: Abhishek Singh, INTERA

• Aaron Lewis, PE, EKI Environment & Water, Inc.: Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Integrated Hydrogeologic Investigations, Groundwater Modeling and Decision Support Tool Development in the Livermore Valley Basin.

• Abhishek Singh, INTERA & Bill Leever, Orange County Water District: Assessing the Feasibility of a Seawater Intrusion Barrier in Sunset Gap, Orange County, California

• Victoria Hermosilla, P.G., Montgomery & Associates: Conducting a hydrogeologic study on a minimally understood aquifers system for Sustainable Groundwater Management: Salinas Valley Deep Aquifers Study

• Pete Dennehy, Montgomery & Associates: Predicting Subsidence Temporally and Spatially for Groundwater Management Using 1-D Models

• Jonathan Traum, U.S. Geological Survey: Using the Central Valley Hydrologic Model to Evaluate Groundwater Sustainability and Land Subsidence in California’s Central Valley

TRACK 2: PLANNING AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT IN GROUNDWATER POLICY AND SUSTAINABILITY - GRAND SIERRA A&B

Moderated by: Hiroko Hort, GSI Environmental Inc

• Sierra Ryan, Santa Cruz County & Marcus Trotta, Sonoma Water: Navigating Drought under SB552 and SGMA: Strategies for Groundwater Management and Domestic Well Resilience

• Anona Dutton, EKI Environment & Water, Inc.: Navigating the State Board Process - Case Studies from Two of the Most Technically and Jurisdictionally Complex Basins in the State

• John Ellis, INTERA: Going Back to Go Forward—A case for using 100 years of data to improve land subsidence predictive tools and decision-making

• Pin-Ching Li, GSI Environmental: Assessment of Land Subsidence Dynamics: Strategies for Sustainable Groundwater Management

• Veva Weamer and Clay Sorensen, West Yost: Adaptive Management of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems and Interconnected Surface Water in Southern California: Implications for Groundwater Sustainability Agencies under SGMA

TRACK 3: INNOVATIVE APPROACHES IN REMEDIATION PERFORMANCE AND CONTAMINANT MANAGEMENT - PYRAMID PEAK

Moderated by: John Xiong, Haley & Aldrich, Inc

• Mike Mazzarese, AST Environmental, Inc.: Understanding Total Contaminant Mass to Predict Remediation Performance and Timeframes

• Ben McVeigh, REGENESIS: Improving Performance of Abiotic Destruction and Anaerobic Bioremediation at Multiple Sites Through the Use of Passive Flux Meters

• Chris Lee, REGENESIS: Optimizing Remedial Designs and Performance Using Passive Flux Meter Studies and Plume Dimension Analysis

• Edward J. Winner, RPI, Remediation Products Inc.: Nitch expansion in bioremediation supports abundance, diversity, and sustainable microbial populations.

• John Sankey, True Blue Technologies: Biotic and Abiotic Remediation of Chlorinated Solvents with Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis and Molecular Biological Tools

TRACK 4: ADVANCES IN AIRBORNE ELECTROMAGNETIC (AEM) TECHNIQUES FOR GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT - MONUMENT PEAK

Moderated by: Sean Culkin, Upland Hydrogeology Consulting

• Max Halkjaer, Geophysical Imaging Partners: Maximizing the Use of Geophysical Results – An Open Discussion

• Ahmad-Ali Behroozmand, Geophysical Imaging Partners: Recent advances in geophysical technologies to support sustainable groundwater management

• Nate Page, GSI Water Solutions: Leveraging AEM Pilot Study Data for Real Solutions in the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin

• Mesut Cayar & Sercan Ceyhan, Woodard & Curran & Matt Tonkin, SSP&A: Harnessing AEM and Other Hydrogeologic Data to Develop and Evaluate Conceptual Models and Design and Parameterize Numerical Models

• Rebecca Prentice, Stanford University: Transforming Airborne Electromagnetic Data to Sediment Type: Comparison of Methods and Recommendations

12:30 PM – Networking Lunch

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM – Concurrent Sessions No. 2 | Choose A Track! (Session times subject to change)

TRACK 1: INNOVATIVE MANAGED AQUIFER RECHARGE (MAR) STRATEGIES FOR GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY - CASTLE PEAK

Moderated by: Clay Sorensen, West Yost

• Darcy Hinkley, Brown and Caldwell: Ag-ASR in the San Joaquin Valley: Westlands Water District’s Approach to Managed Aquifer Recharge.

• Andrew Calderwood, PhD, Larry Walker Associates: Quantifying levee removal impacts on groundwater recharge and ecosystem function

• Jim McCord, Lynker: Refinement of Stream – Aquifer Interaction Modeling in the Paso Robles Basin to Support Evaluation of FloodMAR Opportunities

• Sam Cunningham, Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group: Water Right Pathways to Authorize Diversions to Potential Flood-MAR Projects

• Darrel Evensen, Stockton East Water District: Groundwater Overdraft and Pilot Projects to Maximize Recharge Potential

TRACK 2: INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO AGRICULTURAL GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AND DEMAND - EMIGRANT PEAK

Moderated by: Moises Santillan, Water Replenishment District

• Daniel Heimel, PE, Confluence Engineering Solutions: Apples and Oranges: Comparison of two different agricultural groundwater demand estimate methodologies

• Valerie Kincaid, Paris Kincaid Wasiewski: Legal Challenges and Solutions to Developing Water Accounting Frameworks

• Derrik Williams, Montgomery & Associates: Hydrogeologic Challenges and Solutions to Developing Water Accounting Frameworks

• Ryan Aston, SCI Consulting Group: Fee Forward: Navigating the Financial Landscape of Sustainable Groundwater Management in California

• Andres Diaz, Woodard & Curran: Merced Remote Metering Tool: Integration of remote sensing data with groundwater modeling

TRACK 3: INNOVATIVE PFAS ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIATION TECHNIQUES - PYRAMID PEAK

Moderated by: Manmeet (Meeta) Pannu, OCWD

• John Xiong, Haley & Aldrich, Inc: In Situ Microcosm Study of PFAS Precursor Transformation in Groundwater

• Cory Lavoie, Langan Engineering and Environmental Services: Tools Applied for Differentiating Background PFAS from an AFFF Deployment

• Christine Pham, OCWD: In-Situ Gravity Driven Removal of PFAS During Managed Aquifer Recharge and Economic Feasibility Analysis to Protect Drinking Water

• Brian Henderson, REGENESIS: Sustainable PFAS Remediation; Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of Colloidal Activated Carbon Compared To Pump-And-Treat

• Dan Bryant, Woodard & Curran: Anthropogenic Background PFAS in Shallow Surface Soil: Impact of Global Sources and Regulatory Relevance

TRACK 4: HARNESSING AI AND MACHINE LEARNING FOR GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENTMONUMENT PEAK

Moderated by: Gus Tolley, Daniel B. Stephens & Associates, Inc.

• Mehdi Ghasemizade, Nature Bloomers: Forecasting Water Table Depth with Long Short-term Memory Using Meteorological and Hydrological Measurements

• Ate Visser, LLNL: Understanding Groundwater Recharge with Satellite Imagery, Machine Learning, and Isotopic Tracers

• Patrick Wickham, Montgomery & Associates: Machine Learning Guided Optimization (MLGO!)

• Roohi Toosi, APEX Environmental & Water Resources: Pilot Study for Integrated Environmental Modeling for Enhanced Habitat Conservation

• Xiao Chang, Tuskegee University: Groundwater Level Forecasting in North Carolina Unconfined Aquifer with Machine Learning

4:00 PM – Afternoon Networking Break

4:30 PM – Student Networking and Participation Program (SNAPP) - Grand Sierra A&B

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, Daniel B. Stephens & Associates, Inc., PhD (DBS&A) *Previously known as GROUNDWATERx

5:30 PM – Welcome Reception and Trivia Night - Sun Patio

Join us for a lively Welcome Reception and Trivia Night, where you can connect with fellow attendees over drinks and friendly competition. Test your knowledge on a variety of topics and enjoy a fun-filled evening in the beautiful setting of Lake Tahoe, setting the perfect tone for the rest of the conference.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 8TH

6:00 AM – Darcy Dash 5K Walk/Run/Hike

Dust off your running shoes and join us for the Darcy Dash 5k and celebrate this WGC tradition against the backdrop of Tahoe’s lush mountains! 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

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM – Concurrent Sessions No. 3 | Choose A Track! (Session times subject to change)

TRACK 1: ADVANCED STRATEGIES IN RECYCLED WATER AND GROUNDWATER RECHARGECASTLE PEAK

Moderated by: Ahmad Ali Behroozmand, Geophysical Imaging Partners

• Kristene Wilder & Brandon McLean, Brown & Caldwell: Development of a Hydrogeological Conceptual Site Model through Groundwater Recharge Site Characterization for the City of Boise’s Recycled Water Program

• Scott Reinert, El Paso Water: Beneficial Reuse and Managed Aquifer Recharge in El Paso

• Rosalyn Prickett, Rincon Consultants: Lessons Learned from a Greenfield Groundwater Replenishment & Reuse Project (GRRP)

• Michael Shaefer, West Yost: Impacts of Natural Recharge on Geogenic Groundwater Arsenic Concentrations in Asia

• Greg Pohll, Truckee Meadows Water Authority: Potential mitigation strategies to eliminate well biofouling for an indirect potable reuse project.

TRACK 2: PROVEN STRATEGIES FOR GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY: LESSONS AND INSIGHT - GRAND SIERRA A&B

Moderated by: Dominick Amador, Woodard & Curran

• Greg Woodside, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District: Really Hard ≠ Impossible: The Power of a Dynamic Team Successfully Expands Water Recharge Facilities Located in Endangered Species Habitat, San Bernardino Valley.

• Arden Wells, Todd Groundwater: Achieving Rampdown: Eight Years of Groundwater Management in the Antelope Valley Adjudicated Basin

• Patrick O’Connell and John Lindquist, United Water Conservation District: Busting Myths about Water-Use Trends—Example from a Critically Overdrafted Basin in Ventura County, with Ramifications for Planning Sustainability Projectsa

• Andrew Ayres, University of Nevada, Reno: Do Water Markets Drive Ownership Consolidation? Evidence from California’s Mojave Desert

• Andy Rodgers & Indigo Bannister, West Yost, West Yost: A Tale of Three Basins: The Benefits of Coordinated Administration of the Sonoma County GSAs

TRACK 3: ADVANCEMENTS IN PFAS REMEDIATION AND RISK MANAGEMENT - PYRAMID PEAK

Moderated by: Lisa Campbell, CDMS

• Jason Keller, GeoSystems Analysis, Inc.: PFAS Groundwater Risk Assessment of Stormwater Infiltration into Drywells

• Hiroko Hort, GSI Environmental Inc: Modeling and Evaluation of PFOS Retention in the Unsaturated Zone

• Daniel Haddock, INTERA: De-Risking Groundwater Investments in the Age of PFAS

• Manmeet (Meeta) Pannu, OCWD: PFAS removal from groundwater with ion exchange and alternative adsorbent: Predicting pilot- and full-scale performance with bench-scale test

• Dan Nunez, REGENESIS: Colloidal Activated Carbon Barrier Reduces PFAS Migration from Impacted Groundwater into the Oakland Inner Harbor

TRACK 4: AGRICULTURAL INNOVATIONS IN GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY - MONUMENT PEAK

Moderated by: Samantha Adams, West Yost

• Stephen Hatchett, ERA Economics: Perennial Crop Adjustments to Water Supply Risk and SGMA Implementation

• Stephen Schrempp, GIT HydroS Consult GmbH and CO2-Land e.V.: Use of Synergies: Implementing “Carbon Farming” practices to increase Resilience to climate change impacts and promote Groundwater Protection.

• Mike Busby, Lidco Inc: How to have your cake and eat it too; a case study of recharging with Reverse Tile Drains

• Melissa Turner & Debra Dunn: Sowing the Seeds of Sustainability: The Agricultural Blueprint for Groundwater Management

• Daniel E. Kramer, Petralogix Engineering Inc: Alternatives to Agricultural Water Withdrawal: A Case Study Example of Land Conservation Easements, Multi-Tiered Partnerships, and Direct Pumping and Extraction Offset for Water and Environmental Management.

10:00 AM – Standing 7-minute Workout and Networking with the Exhibitors

Join us for the Standing 7-minute Workout - get your blood pumping in between all these amazing educational sessions!

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