Groundwater recharge from rainfall and irrigation in the campaspe river basin

Soil Research ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 651 ◽  
Author(s):  
FHS Chiew ◽  
TA Mcmahon
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Water Table ◽  
High Water ◽  
Shallow Aquifer ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Salinity Control ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Recharge Rates

Reliable estimates of groundwater recharge are required for effective evaluation of management options for salinity control and high water-tables in the Riverine Plain of south-eastern Australia. This paper provides a brief description of the integrated surface and groundwater modelling approach used to estimate regional recharge rates and presents the recharge rates estimated for the Campaspe River Basin. The integrated model is a powerful management tool as it can predict the relationship between rainfall, irrigation, recharge and rises in the water-table levels. The model predicted that approximately 15% of irrigation water recharges the shallow aquifer. Approximately 6% of rainfall contributes to recharge in the irrigated areas while 4 to 5% of rainfall becomes recharge in the dryland areas. Rainfall makes a greater contribution in the irrigation areas compared to the dryland areas because irrigation predisposes the soil to recharge from rainfall. The water-table levels in the irrigation areas are currently rising at approximately 0.14 m yr-1. This rate of rise will increase faster than the increase in irrigation applications.

scholarly journals Using multiple methods to investigate the effects of land-use changes on groundwater recharge in a semi-arid area

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-104
Author(s):  
Shovon Barua ◽  
Ian Cartwright ◽  
P. Evan Dresel ◽  
Edoardo Daly
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Arid Area ◽  
Land Clearing ◽  
Water Table Fluctuations ◽  
Recharge Rates ◽  
Effects Of Land Use ◽  
Semi Arid

Abstract. Understanding the applicability and uncertainties of methods for documenting recharge rates in semi-arid areas is important for assessing the successive effects of land-use changes and understanding groundwater systems. This study focuses on estimating groundwater recharge rates and understanding the impacts of land-use changes on recharge rates in a semi-arid area in southeast Australia. Two adjacent catchments were cleared ∼180 years ago following European settlement, and a eucalypt plantation forest was subsequently established ∼15 years ago in one of the catchments. Chloride mass balance analysis yields recharge rates of 0.2 to 61.6 mm yr−1 (typically up to 11.2 mm yr−1). The lower of these values probably represents recharge rates prior to land clearing, whereas the higher likely reflects recharge rates following the initial land clearing. The low pre-land-clearing recharge rates are consistent with the presence of old groundwater (residence times up to 24 700 years) and the moderate-to-low hydraulic conductivities (0.31 to 0.002 m d−1) of the aquifers. Recharge rates estimated from tritium activities and water table fluctuations reflect those following the initial land clearing. Recharge rates estimated using water table fluctuations (15 to 500 mm yr−1) are significantly higher than those estimated using tritium renewal rates (0.01 to 89 mm yr−1; typically <14.0 mm yr−1) and approach the long-term average annual rainfall (∼640 mm yr−1). These recharge rates are unrealistic given the estimated evapotranspiration rates of 500 to 600 mm yr−1 and the preservation of old groundwater in the catchments. It is likely that uncertainties in the specific yield results in the water table fluctuation method significantly overestimating recharge rates, and despite the land-use changes, the present-day recharge rates are relatively modest. These results are ultimately important for assessing the impacts of land-use changes and management of groundwater resources in semi-arid regions in Australia and elsewhere.

scholarly journals Using multiple methods to understand groundwater recharge in a semi-arid area

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shovon Barua ◽  
Ian Cartwright ◽  
P. Evan Dresel ◽  
Edoardo Daly
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Arid Area ◽  
Plantation Forest ◽  
Land Clearing ◽  
Water Table Fluctuations ◽  
Recharge Rates ◽  
Semi Arid

Abstract. Understanding recharge in semi-arid areas is important for the sustainable management of groundwater resources. This study focuses on estimating groundwater recharge rates and understanding the impacts of land-use changes on recharge in a semi-arid area. Two adjacent catchments in southeast Australia were cleared ~180 years ago following European settlement; in one of these catchments eucalypt plantation forest was subsequently established ~ 20 years ago. Chloride mass balance yields recharge rates of 0.2 to 61.6 mm yr−1 (typically up to 11.2 mm yr−1). The lower of these values probably represent recharge rates prior to land clearing, whereas the higher likely reflects recharge rates following initial land clearing. The low pre-land clearing recharge rates are consistent with the presence of groundwater that has residence times that are up to 24,700 years (calculated using radiocarbon) and the moderate to low hydraulic conductivities (0.31 to 0.002 m day−1) of the clay-rich aquifers. Recharge rates estimated from tritium activities and water table fluctuations reflect those following the initial land clearing. However, recharge rates estimated using water table fluctuations (15 to 500 mm yr−1) are significantly higher than those estimated using tritium renewal rates (0.01 to 89 mm yr−1; typically

Habitat preference and reproductive traits of a major Australian riparian tree species (Casuarina cunninghamiana)

2001 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 705 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Woolfrey ◽  
P. G. Ladd
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
High Water ◽  
River Channel ◽  
Sandy Substrate ◽  
Casuarina Cunninghamiana ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Seed Fall

The population structure and reproductive biology of the river oak (Casuarina cunninghamiana) were studied along the Murrumbidgee River on the Southern Tablelands of eastern Australia. The species has cone-like infructescences but is not serotinous, with samaras released when they are mature. Samaras were mostly distributed by wind close to female trees but were also carried by water. The first year of study (1985) appeared to be a mast year for seed production with much lower seed fall in the following year. Seedling establishment was spatially very variable, mostly under female canopies and appeared earlier on soil within the river channel than on the bank. Turnover was high and seedlings in the river channel generally died after being inundated. Most trees were within 3 m of the mean river level. However, the total distribution of adults was within the envelope of maximum floods in the area but establishment was not dependent on floods. The population structure was the result of yearly recruitment, although episodic events (floods, drought) may enhance or decrease establishment. Pot-trial results paralleled the field situation with substrate and water-table level not affecting germination of seed but strongly influencing seedling growth. Plants grew best on cobble substrates under a low water-table regime and poorly on cobbles with high water and sandy substrate under all water-table levels. Cobble banks seemed the best substrate for growth within the river channel and establishment may be prolific. Less-abundant seedling establishment occurred upslope but controls over this were not investigated.

scholarly journals Regional Groundwater Evapotranspiration in Illinois

2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 464-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pat J-F. Yeh ◽  
J. S. Famiglietti
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Shallow Aquifer ◽  
Small Magnitude ◽  
Field Evidence ◽  
Groundwater Evaporation ◽  
Regional Groundwater

Abstract The role of shallow unconfined aquifers in supplying water for evapotranspiration (i.e., groundwater evaporation) is investigated in this paper. Recent results from regional land surface modeling have indicated that in shallow water table areas, a large portion of evapotranspiration comes directly from aquifers. However, little field evidence at the regional scale has been reported to support this finding. Using a comprehensive 19-yr (1984–2002) monthly hydrological dataset on soil moisture, water table depth, and streamflow in Illinois, regional recharge to and evaporation from groundwater are estimated by using soil water balance computation. The 19-yr mean groundwater recharge is estimated to be 244 mm yr−1 (25% of precipitation), with uncertainty ranging from 202 to 278 mm yr−1. During the summer, the upward capillary flux from the shallow aquifer helps to maintain a high rate of evapotranspiration. Groundwater evaporation (negative groundwater recharge) occurs during the period of July–September, with a total of 31.4 mm (10% of evapotranspiration). Analysis of the relative soil saturation at 11 depths from 0 to 2 m deep supports the dominance of groundwater evaporation across the water table in dry periods. The zero-flux plane separating the recharge zone from the evapotranspiration zone propagates downward from about 70- to 110-cm depth during summer, reflecting the water supply from progressively lower layers for evapotranspiration. Despite its small magnitude, neglecting regional groundwater evaporation in shallow groundwater areas would result in underestimated root-zone soil moisture and hence evapotranspiration by as large as 20% in the dry summer seasons.

Estimation of natural groundwater recharge in the Aguascalientes semiarid valley, Mexico

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 268-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilia Guerrero-Martínez ◽  
Martín Hernández-Marín ◽  
Thomas J. Burbey
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Boussinesq Equation ◽  
Specific Yield ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
The North ◽  
Vertical Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Recharge Rates ◽  
Aguascalientes Valley

Groundwater recharge (GWR) is analyzed and evaluated within the Aguascalientes Valley by means of a modified linearized Boussinesq equation and the Water Table Fluctuations (WTF) technique. These techniques use the specific yield, water table variations and the subsurface drainage of groundwater. The methodology is applied to the semiarid Aguascalientes valley, which contains a thick vadose zone. The combination of the analytical solution based on the Boussinesq equation and the WTF technique, allows the method to be applied in areas with deep groundwater levels, such as the Aguascalientes valley, without the need for high temporal resolution data. The data for the application of the method were provided by various government agencies and includes information on 145 wells positioned within the valley during the period 1985-2015. The specific yield and the transmissivity were integrated from the results of two previous investigations. Results indicate that the variation of recharge ranges from 0.86 to 525.69 mm/year in the analyzed period, with the highest recharge rates occurring in the north and center parts of the valley and is likely attributed to high specific yield and vertical hydraulic conductivity due to the presence of coarse permeable soils present in the area. Conversely, the lowest recharge rates were found to occur near the north and south borders of the valley.

scholarly journals Groundwater Recharge Rates in Isolated and Riverine Wetlands: Influencing Factors

2015 ◽  
pp. 86-92
Author(s):  
Chenille Williams ◽  
Dan Tufford
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Significant Finding ◽  
Isolated Wetlands ◽  
Riverine Wetlands ◽  
Surface Water Hydrology ◽  
Recharge Rates ◽  
The Impact

Isolated wetlands and riverine wetlands have been shown to have similar groundwater hydrology despite their difference in topography and surface water hydrology. The current study aimed to address the impact of topography and surface water hydrology on groundwater hydrologic behavior by comparing the groundwater recharge rates of several isolated and riverine wetlands in the Coastal Plain of South Carolina. Study sites contained an isolated wetland, a riverine wetland, and an upland that bisected the two wetland types. Shallow water tables and sandy soils, allowed a rapid response to precipitation to be clearly visible. Soil characteristics, water table fluctuations, and precipitation data from January 2012-September 2012 were evaluated and from that data mean recharge rates were calculated using an adapted version of the water table fluctuation method. During the study period, it was observed that the frequency of precipitation (storm events) and saturated zone soil type were more impactful on water table movement than topography, surface soil type, and surface water hydrology. One significant finding of this research is that the isolated wetlands in this study did, in fact, recharge groundwater, which implies that their presence increases the opportunity for groundwater replenishment.

scholarly journals Structure, Diversity, and Environmental Determinants of High-Latitude Threatened Conifer Forests

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 775
Author(s):  
Carlos Esse ◽  
Francisco Correa-Araneda ◽  
Cristian Acuña ◽  
Rodrigo Santander-Massa ◽  
Patricio De Los Ríos-Escalante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Table ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
National Park ◽  
High Water ◽  
Forest Communities ◽  
Competitive Effect ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
Last Glaciation ◽  
The World ◽  
Local Topography

Pilgerodendron uviferum (D. Don) Florin is an endemic, threatened conifer that grows in South America. In the sub-Antarctic territory, one of the most isolated places in the world, some forest patches remain untouched since the last glaciation. In this study, we analyze the tree structure and tree diversity and characterize the environmental conditions where P. uviferum-dominated stands develop within the Magellanic islands in Kawésqar National Park, Chile. An environmental matrix using the databases WorldClim and SoilGrids and local topography variables was used to identify the main environmental variables that explain the P. uviferum-dominated stands. PCA was used to reduce the environmental variables, and PERMANOVA and nMDS were used to evaluate differences among forest communities. The results show that two forest communities are present within the Magellanic islands. Both forest communities share the fact that they can persist over time due to the high water table that limits the competitive effect from other tree species less tolerant to high soil water table and organic matter. Our results contribute to knowledge of the species’ environmental preference and design conservation programs.

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