Edwards Water Resources in Central Texas: Retrospective and Prospective

This symposium celebrates, reviews, and synthesizes more than 250 years of cultural, geological, hydrological, economic, and political history of the Edwards Aquifer systems, arguably the most important natural resource in Central Texas. Speakers in the Friday morning session will include influential geoscientists who personally carried out key research on the Edwards during the 1950-1980 period, as well as knowledgeable observers who will discuss the evolution of aquifer regulation. These speakers will provide a retrospective view about how our current level of understanding evolved about this essential source for the region's groundwater and how its management and regulation have come about. Friday afternoon speakers will be geoscientists, hydrologists, and other specialists who will describe the current state of knowledge, as well as present and future Edwards research and its implications for sustainability and management. In addition to the oral program, poster presentations primarily concerning current research projects will be available for viewing throughout the day. A late afternoon session will feature the demonstration of an animated, time-sequenced model of the regional Edwards Aquifer systems, as well as reminiscences by some veteran Edwards geoscientists. This session will also provide a time for informal discussions while attendees enjoy hors d'oeuvres and their favorite beverages. The Friday symposium registration fee is $100 through April 29, 2004 and $125 after April 29, 2004. The fee includes lunch, refreshments, "happy hour" reception, notepad portfolio, and CD publication containing papers from all symposium presenters. The Omni Hotel is located at 9821 Colonnade Boulevard, just off of I-10 in northwest San Antonio. The Saturday field trip fee is $50 and will include transportation, lunch, and guide materials. The trip will be limited to 50 participants, who must also be registered for the symposium. Field trip requires separate registration.