Application of MAPS to the Salinas-Monterey Urban Study

Abstract : The MAPS (Methodology for Areawide Planning Studies) computer program, developed at the U. S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station (WES), was used to evaluate the engineering aspects of alternative water supply plans for the Salinas-Monterey Urban Study conducted by the U. S. Army Engineer District, San Francisco. Using MAPS, the WES study team identified feasible water supply plans, developed staging for required facilities, and calculated capital and operation and maintenance costs for these facilities. The two countries in the study area, Santa Cruz and Monterey, were faced with different water supply problems, which were addressed using slightly different techniques, presented in the following paragraphs. In Santa Cruz County (except for the lower Pajaro area), water supply problems consisted chiefly of providing municipal water from an integrated system of surface and groundwater sources. MAPS simulations were used to identify potential diversions and reservoir sites to meet future needs. Source development was staged through the year 2020. In Monterey County, irrigation represents the principal use of water, which is derived almost solely from wells. The U. S. Geological Survey developed a finite element groundwater model to identify the effect of different water use rates on the groundwater resources. From this study, six measures for storing and transporting water were identified.