Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences

International Workshop (coordinator) : PC-based Modeling of Water Flow and Contaminant Transport in the Vadose Zone and Groundwater (2004 program and photos)

• Fluid mechanics (finger flow) in porous media including soils and fractured rocks.
• Watershed hydrology and environmental hydrogeology - water flow and solute transport.
• Stormwater and groundwater studies in urban and rural areas.
• GIS applications in hydrology, other natural sciences and all possible areas.
• Climate change effects on hydrological processes, water resources and ecosystems.
• Hydraulics and irrigation engineering, irrigation scheduling and technology.
• Soil and water conservation in arid and semi-arid regions.

At present, I am conducting a field-based research on water flow and salt transport in the shallow saline aquifer under the Naval Air Station Lemoore (funded by DoD). Recent community-based projects (funded by the state) include monitoring of the upper Fresno River watershed and the Upper San Joaquin River watershed involving water quality and discharge measurement, watershed delineation and snowpack calculations using GIS, and estimation of the climate change effects on the watersheds. Other basic and applied studies include measurement and modeling of unstable or finger flow in porous media (basic science), engineering improvement of irrigation systems in the San Joaquin Valley to raise water use efficiency, and irrigation scheduling (download Irrigation Scheduling Tables - an Excel program).

Recent Project Summaries:

Shallow Saline Aquifer Monitoring Program at NAS Lemoore, funded by DoD ($138,566), 2010-1012. The Lemoore area in the western San Joaquin Valley has long been affected by soil and groundwater salinization due to long term irrigation and drainage from agricultural fields. The major objective of this study is to develop a groundwater monitoring program for NAS Lemoore based on solid science and in concert with parallel studies on plant and wildlife habitats. The goal is to maintain the best possible environmental conditions for the DoD training missions. The major scientific tasks are to: (1) evaluate all existing monitoring wells on the property and install or redrill new wells as necessary; (2) evaluate soil and groundwater qualities over time and space to develop specific recommendations on soil amendment, water treatment and crop planting; and (3) conduct GIS data analyses and develop water resources management recommendations. A team of undergraduate students are hired to perform both the field and laboratory studies. A Rockwork model is developed by graduate student Ron Holcomb to study the saline groundwater dynamics and the geology of the aquifers. Based on that, MODFLOW and GIS models will be developed for trend analysis and predictions. Recommendations on water supply, plant and wildlife accommodations will be developed based on the interconnected soil, water, plant and wildlife studies.


Fresno River-Hensley Lake Water Quality Monitoring Project, funded by California EPA, 2009-1010 ($187,366, collaborating with ecologist Dr. Steve Blumenshine at CSUF and Central Sierra Watershed Committee). My responsibility is to develop GIS-based Nutrient Loading and Species Distribution Models that are capable of analyzing the fate and transport of nutrients and exotic species in the upper Fresno River watershed.  Using the water quality data collected by the team, chart and quantify the water quality and species distribution within the watershed. Identify watershed land uses associated with high nutrient loads using GIS. Determine threshold limits on algal growth inducers, alone and in combination with each other. Estimate the assimilative capacities of the Fresno River and Hensley Lake for these nutrients; identify areas in the watershed where nutrient input is highest, and attempt to determine whether the sources are point or non-point in nature.  Using the model, identify and analyze various possible reduction strategies.

Field Trip 3-9-2003 (PDF).
Field sampling Plan - air-photo and GIS (PDF)
Other project files (2008-09) including high quality GIS maps displayed in the Madera County Library

Selected Publications (with PDF files):

• He, Z., Z. Wang, C.J. Suen, X. Ma. Hydrologic sensitivity of the Upper San Joaquin River Watershed in California to climate change scenarios. Hydrology Research (in press), 2013.
• Liu, Y., B.J. Fu, Y.H. Lü, Z. Wang, G.Y. Gao. Hydrological responses and soil erosion potential of abandoned cropland in the Loess Plateau, China. Geomorphology, 138: 404-414, doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.10.009, 2011.
• Jin, T.T., B.J. Fu, G.H. Liu, and Z.Wang. Hydrologic feasibility of artificial forestation in the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China. Hydrology and Earth System Sci., 15, 2519-2530, doi:10.5194/hess-15-2519-2011. 2011.
• Liu, X., B. He, Z. Li, J. Zhang, L. Wang, Z. Wang. Influence of land terracing on agricultural and ecological environment in the Loess Plateau regions of China. Environmental Earth Sciences, DOI: 10.1007/s12665-010-0567-6, 2010.
• Liang, X., D. Su, S. Yin and Z. Wang. Leaf water absorption and desorption functions for three turfgrasses. Journal of Hydrology, 376: 243-248, 2009.
• Li, He-li, Huai-en Li, Zhi Wang, Wen-juan Shi. Research of Finger Flow in Porous Media: Review and Perspective (Chinese), Soils, 41: 27-33, 2008.
• Kim, S.B., H.S. On, D.J. Kim, W. A. Jury , and Z. Wang. Determination of bromacil transport as a function of water and carbon content in soils. Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part B, 42, 529-537, 2007.
• Wang, Z. Watershed Monitoring and Hydrologic Simulation using GIS (front page abstract), CSU Geospatial Review, Vol. 4 , Spring 2006.
• Javaux, M., Z. Wang, J. Feyen, D.E. Elrick, and M. Vanclooster. Correction to ‘‘Prediction of fingering in porous media", Water Resources Research, Vol. 41, No. 4, W04005, doi:10.1029/2004WR003831, 2005.
• Wang, Z. BookReview: Seepage in Soils – Principles and Applications, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Vadose Zone Journal, 3:728-729, 2004.
• Wang, Z., W.A. Jury, A. Tuli, and D.J. Kim. Unstable flow during redistribution: Controlling factors and practical implications. Vadose Zone Journal, 3: 549-559, 2004.
• Wang, Z, A. Tuli, and W.A. Jury. Unstable flow during redistribution in homogeneous soil, Vadose Zone Journal, 2: 52-60. 2003.
• Jury, W.A., Z. Wang, and A. Tuli. A conceptual model of unstable flow in unsaturated soil during redistribution, Vadose Zone Journal, 2: 61-67. 2003.
• Wang, Z., L. Wu, T. Harter, J. Lu and W.A. Jury. A field study of unstable preferential flow during soil water redistribution. Water Resources Research. Vol. 39 (4): 1075, doi:10.1029/2001WR000903. 2003.
• Wang, Z., A. Chang, L. Wu, and D. Crowley. Assessing the soil quality of long-term reclaimed wastewater-irrigated cropland. Geoderma, 114: 261-278, doi:10.1016/S0016-7061(03)00044-2. 2003.
• Wang, Z, J. Lu, L. Wu, T. Harter, and W.A. Jury. Visualizing preferential flow in field soils using ammonium carbonate and a pH indicator, Soil Science Society of America Journal , 66, 347-351. 2002.
• Wang, J., B. Fu, Y. Qiu, L. Chen, and  Z. Wang. Geostatistical analysis of soil moisture variability on Da Nangou catchment of the loess plateau, China. Environmental Geology, 41: 113-120. 2001.
• Jury, W. A., and Z. Wang.Unresolved Problems in vadose zone hydrology and contaminant transport. In Dynamics of Fluids in Fractured Rock, AGU Geophysical Monograph 122, edited by B. Faybishenko, P. A. Witherspoon and S. M. Benson. pp. 67-72. 2000.
• Wang, Z., L. Wu, and Q. J. Wu.Water-entry value as an alternative indicator of soil water repellency and wettability, Journal of Hydrology, 231-232: 76-83. 2000.
• Wang, Z., Q.J. Wu, L. Wu, C.J. Ritsema, L.W. Dekker and J. Feyen. Effects of soil water repellency on infiltration rate and flow instability. Journal of Hydrology, 231-232:265-276. 2000.
• Zerihun, D., J. Feyen, J. M. Reddy and Z. Wang. Minimum cost design of furrow irrigation systems. Transactions of the ASAE, 42(4): 945-955. 1999.
• Wang, Z., Jan Feyen, and D.E. Elrick.Prediction of Fingering in porous media. Water Resources Research, 34: 2183-2190. 1998.
• Wang, Z., Jan Feyen and C. J. Ritsema. Susceptibility and predictability of conditions for preferential flow. Water Resources Research, 34: 2169-2182. 1998.
• Wang, Z., J. Feyen, M. Th. van Genuchten and D. R. Nielsen. Air entrapment effects on infiltration rate and flow instability. Water Resources Research, 34(2): 213-222. 1998.
• Wang, Z., J. Feyen, D. R. Nielsen and M. Th. van Genuchten. Two-phase flow infiltration equations accounting for air entrapment effects. Water Resources Research, 33(12): 2759-2768. 1997.
• Zerihun, D, Z. Wang, J. Feyen and J. M. Reddy. Empirical functions for dependent furrow irrigation parameters. 2: Applications, Irrigation Science, 17:121-126. 1997.
• Zerihun, D., Z. Wang, S. Rimal, J. Feyen and  J. M. Reddy, Analysis of surface irrigation performance terms and indices. Agricultural Water Management, 34:25-46. 1997.
• Wang Z.,  D. Zerihun, and J. Feyen, General irrigation efficiency for field water management. Agricultural Water Management, 30(2): 123-132. 1996.
• Wang, Z., J. M. Reddy and J. Feyen. Improved 0-1 programming model for optimal flow scheduling in irrigation canals, Irrigation and Drainage Systems, 9: 105-116. 1995.
• Wang, Z., F. Zhu and X. Liu. Development of a non-hump parabolic throatless flume. Journal of Water Resources (Chinese), 7: 12-23. July 1994. Award Certificate in Chinese (1998-99)
• Wang, Z. Field study of the Long Border Segment Irrigation systems. Journal of irrigation and Drainage (Chinese), 5: 15-26. Nov. 1986.

1. James R. Meier (graduated in Summer 2005 and hired by GeoMatrix Consultants): Thesis abstract: Analysis of Groundwater Banks in San Joaquin Valley.
2. Ori Sartono (graduated in Summer 2007, K.D. Schmidt & Assoc.) Thesis abstract: Parameterization of a fractured hardrock aquifer in western foothills of the Sierra Nevada, California
3. Sana Alsaoudi (graduate in Fall 2007): Thesis abstract: Isotope studies of San Joaquin River and the nearby groundwater resources.
4. Jorge Baca Jr. (graduated in Fall 2009, California EPA - Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board). Thesis abstrct: GIS-aided modeling and site measurement of soil erosion potentials in the upper Fresno River watershed, California.
5. Doug DeFlitch: (Graduated in Spring 2010): Thesis abstract: Measurement and Monitoring of Bedload Sediment Transport along the Upper San Joaquin River below Friant Dam.
6. Joe Knight: Geological study of selenium transport in the Central Valley of California.
7. Ronald E. Holcomb (California EPA - Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board): Hydrogeological study of the shallow saline aquifer in Lemoore, California.
8. Ashley Ross: Measurement and modeling of sediment transport in the Big Creek basin of Kings River watershed, California

Complete CV (PDF file)