From September 30, 2024 to October, 2, 2024, two WERI research assistants, Ms. Atasha Bautista, an undergraduate student, and Ms. Mary Clare Snaer, graduate student, had the opportunity to share their WERI research projects at the 2024 AWRA, UCOWR, NIWR Joint Water Resources conference. This year the conference took place at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.
Ms. Mary Clare Snaer, a research assistant at WERI presented her research on October 2 during Session 50: Adapting to Change – Climate and Conjunctive Use. Her presentation, titled “The Dynamic Response of the Water Source in the Northern Guam Lens Aquifer to Climatic Events,” highlighted the importance of the deep observation wells in the Northern Guam Lens Aquifer (NGLA). She shared time-series graphs she developed for the wells and conducted a multi-graph analysis that included the Oceanic Niño Index, daily rainfall, EX-4 time series, EX-4 water level, and daily sea levels.
Ms. Mary Clare Snaer presented her research at the Annual Water Resources Conference 2024 hosted by UCOWR and NIWR at St. Louis, Missouri in the beginning of October.
Ms. Mary Clare’s presentation was well-received, with several attendees complimenting her work and asking thoughtful questions, leading to engaging discussions. In addition to presenting her own research, she also gained valuable insights into groundwater research being conducted in different states, broadening her understanding of diverse approaches to groundwater challenges across the country. She felt proud to represent WERI at such a prestigious event, knowing that her participation did WERI proud. Sharing the significant research that WERI conducts with other professionals and experts in the field of water resources was a fulfilling experience for her. This opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and receive valuable feedback on her work reaffirmed the relevance of her research in addressing the challenges posed by climate and water resource management.
Ms. Atasha presented during the conference’s Session 58: Hydrologic Modeling Applications, delivering her presentation titled “Nitrate-N Solute Transport Model of Swamp Road Area, Northern Guam Lens Aquifer.” Her research focused on developing a 3D solute transport model for the Swamp Road area using MODFLOW-USG through Aquaveo’s Groundwater Modeling System. This model offered critical insights into the spread of nitrate contaminant plumes near production wells and assessed the effects of high-density residential developments utilizing septic tanks.
Ms. Atasha Bautista presented her research on Nitrate-N Solute Transport Model of Swamp Road, Northern Guam Lens Aquifer at the Annual Water Resources Conference 2024 hosted by UCOWR and NIWR at St. Louis, Missouri in the beginning of October.
Ms. Atasha’s presentation was also well-received, and the audience posed insightful questions that led to engaging discussions about the model’s potential applications. She felt a deep sense of pride representing WERI and was excited to share their research efforts with professionals and experts in water resources. This experience not only reinforced her communication skills but also enhanced her understanding of the critical role that hydrologic modeling plays in addressing environmental challenges.
Throughout the conference, Ms. Atasha engaged with fellow researchers and attended various sessions, broadening her perspective on current trends and developments in water resources. The experience deepened her passion for research and allowed her to connect with other experts in the field. Overall, she left the conference feeling inspired and motivated to continue contributing to water resource research and management.
