Game based simulations are useful learning tools. In this case two teams representing 'Hilli'stan and Valli'stan, each made up a lawyer and a technical expert, engage in negotiations over their water needs from the shared river-aquifer system. Their negotiations will be spontaneous - and the arguments may take one of several outcomes. The idea is to illustrate how such negotiations can proceed in the real world.

1. • This ‘game’ based simulation of
negotiations over a transboundary
river-aquifer is a ‘learning tool’ to better
understand the issues that arise when
such negotiations are carried out by
interested Sharing Countries.
• The negotiations are conducted by
two-person teams, one representing
“HillI’stan’ and the “Valli’stan”.
• They will conduct negotiations on how
to work towards an Agreement to
cooperate over their shared resources
Please ‘click’ through to the rest of the ppt….
For more info contact:
ShammyPuri@practicalhydrogeology.co.uk

2. Transboundary issues
An interconnected transboundary aquifer-river system
underlies two countries in a semi-arid region.
The upstream country (Hilli’stan) wishes to draw on the
resources in the aquifers for urgent public supply needs.
The downstream country (Valli’stan) is using a large
amount of water for irrigation (which could be impacted
by the new wellfields) and wants to expand irrigation –
but needs the upstream neighbour to undertake either a
dam construction or modify its groundwater use.

3. Paleozoic Shale – bedrock,
very low hydraulic
conductivity
Mesozoic sandstone
sequence – main aquifer
Overlying Recent sequence
– sands, loams, clays -
aquifer
Area of main rainfall /
recharge
Area of sporadic
rainfall / recharge
Regional groundwater
flows
Localised groundwater
flows
Groundwater flow
directions deteremined
from modelling
Wells draw from the
localiseed flows
Wetlands fed from
regional flows
Valli’stan Hilli’stan

4. Hilli Mountainous
& forested region
Upper Onyxan
river
Hilli river
Hilli Ville Capital
city
Agric area with
many informal wells
Scale 50 100
km km
International border
Northern
Gorge Hills
Optional dam site
Large irrigation
area (cotton)
Irrigation
expansion area
Lower Oxynan
river
Wetlands & game
reserves,
indigenous
population
Hilli’stan
Valli’stan
Territory gained
in past dispute

5. Hilli’stan
Optional dam site
Hilli Ville Capital city
Agric area with many
informal wells
Requirements:
• New well fields for
municipal needs
• Option dam for power
generation

6. Large irrigation area
(cotton)
Irrigation expansion
area
Wetlands &
game reserves
Valli’stan
Requirements:
Additional water for new cotton
fields
Optional sources – regulated
flows in river or new wellfield or
conjunctive use

7. Visit www.practicalhydrogeology.co.uk