Research Project Information
Abbreviated CV
Additional Publications

Research Emphasis

Dr. Zhuping Sheng, Professional Engineer, is an Associate Professor in Hydrogeology at the El Paso Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) and Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.  His areas of special expertise are in hydrogeology and numerical modeling, management strategies of water resources, aquifer storage and recovery, aquifer mechanics, and geological engineering.  He is developing a transboundary water resource - geohydrology research program for the Rio Grande Basin and other arid and semi-arid areas.  The program aims at integrating theoretical progresses and technological advances in planning and management of shared regional water resources, conjunctive uses of surface water and groundwater resources, water conservation, protection of water quality and extension of the useful "life" of stressed regional aquifers to sustain regional development and improve the quality of life of communities that depend on these aquifers.

He received his Doctoral degree in Hydrogeology/Hydrology from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1996.  Prior to joining the TA&MU, Dr. Sheng worked for El Paso Water Utilities (EPWU) as a hydrogeologist. He is familiar with general hydrogeology of the regional aquifers in the Far West Texas, especially the Hueco and Mesilla Bolsons.  He has extensive working experience on numerical modeling of groundwater flow, assessment of groundwater availability and evaluation of groundwater and surface water interaction.  He is chairing the Aquifer Storage and Recovery Technical Committee of American Water Resources Association and the Cost Guide of Environmental Documentation Task Committee of the Environmental and Water Resources Institute.  He also served in other regional, national committees and councils.

Selected Publications

Abudu S., King, J.P. and Z. Sheng, 2012. Comparison of the performance of statistical models in forecasting monthly total dissolved solids in the Rio Grande, Journal of American Water Resources Association: in press.

Ganjegunte, G.K., Sheng, Z. and J.A. Clark. 2012. Soil salinity and sodicity appraisal by electromagnetic induction in soils irrigated to grow cotton, Land Degradation and Development DOI: 10.1002/ldr.1162.

Liu, Y. and Z. Sheng, 2011. Trend-outflow method for understanding interactions of surface water with groundwater and atmospheric water for eight reaches of the upper Rio Grande, J. of Hydrology. 409: 710-723. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2011.09.004.

Ganjegunte, G.K., Sheng, Z. and R.J. Braun. 2011. Salinity management using anionic organic polymer in a pecan field with calcareous-sodic Soil in El Paso, Texas, J. Environ. Qual. 40:1314–1321. doi:10.2134/jeq2010.0490.

Zhang N., Sheng, Z.., Li, X., Li, S., and J., He. 2011. Study on relationship between Poisson’s ratio and angle of internal friction for rocks, Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering, 30 (Supp. 1): 2599-2609.

Sheng, Z. and J. Devere. 2005. Understanding and managing the stressed Mexico-USA transboundary Hueco bolson aquifer in the El Paso del Norte region as a complex system, Journal of Hydrogeology. 13(5-6): 813-825.

Sheng, Z., Sturdivant, A., Michelsen, A. and R. Lacewell. 2005. Rapid economic assessment of flood-control failure along the Rio Grande: A case study, International Journal of Water Resources Development. 21(4): 629-649.

Sheng, Z., Y. Liu, A. Michelsen and D. Xu. 2005. Comparative study in water resources development of western regions in the United States and China, Transaction of American Society of Agricultural Engineers. 48(3): 1015-1024.

Sheng, Z. 2005. An aquifer storage and recovery system with reclaimed wastewater to preserve native groundwater resources in El Paso, Texas, Journal of Environmental Management. 75(4): 367-377.

Hart, C. R., White, L.D., McDonald, A.K. and Z. Sheng. 2005. Saltcedar control and water salvage on the Pecos River, Texas, 1999-2003, Journal of Environmental Management. 75(4): 399-409.

Sheng, Z., J. Li, J. P. King and W. Miller. 2011. Development of groundwater resources (Chapter 8), in Aral, M.M. and Taylor S.W. (eds.) Groundwater Quantity and Quality Management, ASCE, Reston, 203-294.   

Li, J. and Z. Sheng, 2011. Geological Hazards due to Groundwater Discharge/Recharge (Chapter 17), in Findikakis, A.N., and Sato, K. (eds.) Groundwater Management Practices (IAHR Monograph), CRC Press, 238-281.

Sheng, Z. (Contributing author), National Research Council, 2008. Prospects for Managed Underground Storage of Recoverable Water, Committee Chair: Dr. Edward Bouwer, The National Academies Press.

Additional Publications