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 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

scholarly journals Spatially distributed sensitivity of simulated global groundwater heads and flows to hydraulic conductivity, groundwater recharge and surface water body parameterization

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Reinecke ◽  
Laura Foglia ◽  
Steffen Mehl ◽  
Jonathan D. Herman ◽  
Alexander Wachholz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Water Body ◽  
Distributed Parameter ◽  
Groundwater Model ◽  
Surface Water Body ◽  
Spatially Distributed ◽  
Gradient Based ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. In global hydrological models, groundwater storages and flows are generally simulated by linear reservoir models. Recently, the first global gradient-based groundwater models were developed in order to improve the representation of groundwater-surface water interactions, capillary rise, lateral flows and human water use impacts. However, the reliability of model outputs is limited by a lack of data as well as model assumptions required due to the necessarily coarse spatial resolution. The impact of data quality is presented by showing the sensitivity of a groundwater model to changes in the only available global hydraulic conductivity data-set. To better understand the sensitivity of model output to uncertain spatially distributed parameter inputs, we present the first application of a global sensitivity method for a global-scale groundwater model using nearly 2000 steady-state model runs of the global gradient-based groundwater model G3M. By applying the Morris method in a novel domain decomposition approach that identifies global hydrological response units, spatially distributed parameter sensitivities are determined for a computationally expensive model. Results indicate that globally simulated hydraulic heads are equally sensitive to hydraulic conductivity, groundwater recharge and surface water body elevation, though parameter sensitivities vary regionally. For large areas of the globe, rivers are simulated to be either losing or gaining, depending on the parameter combination, indicating a high uncertainty of simulating the direction of flow between the two compartments. Mountainous and dry regions show a high variance in simulated head due to numerical difficulties of the model, limiting the reliability of computed sensitivities in these regions. This instability is likely caused by the uncertainty in surface water body elevation. We conclude that maps of spatially distributed sensitivities can help to understand complex behaviour of models that incorporate data with varying spatial uncertainties. The findings support the selection of possible calibration parameters and help to anticipate challenges for a transient coupling of the model.

scholarly journals Spatially distributed sensitivity of simulated global groundwater heads and flows to hydraulic conductivity, groundwater recharge, and surface water body parameterization

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 4561-4582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Reinecke ◽  
Laura Foglia ◽  
Steffen Mehl ◽  
Jonathan D. Herman ◽  
Alexander Wachholz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Water Body ◽  
Groundwater Model ◽  
Decomposition Approach ◽  
Surface Water Body ◽  
Spatially Distributed ◽  
Gradient Based ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. In global hydrological models, groundwater storages and flows are generally simulated by linear reservoir models. Recently, the first global gradient-based groundwater models were developed in order to improve the representation of groundwater–surface-water interactions, capillary rise, lateral flows, and human water use impacts. However, the reliability of model outputs is limited by a lack of data and by uncertain model assumptions that are necessary due to the coarse spatial resolution. The impact of data quality is presented in this study by showing the sensitivity of a groundwater model to changes in the only available global hydraulic conductivity dataset. To better understand the sensitivity of model output to uncertain spatially distributed parameters, we present the first application of a global sensitivity method for a global-scale groundwater model using nearly 2000 steady-state model runs of the global gradient-based groundwater model G3M. By applying the Morris method in a novel domain decomposition approach that identifies global hydrological response units, spatially distributed parameter sensitivities are determined for a computationally expensive model. Results indicate that globally simulated hydraulic heads are equally sensitive to hydraulic conductivity, groundwater recharge, and surface water body elevation, though parameter sensitivities vary regionally. For large areas of the globe, rivers are simulated to be either losing or gaining, depending on the parameter combination, indicating a high uncertainty in simulating the direction of flow between the two compartments. Mountainous and dry regions show a high variance in simulated head due to numerical instabilities of the model, limiting the reliability of computed sensitivities in these regions. This is likely caused by the uncertainty in surface water body elevation. We conclude that maps of spatially distributed sensitivities can help to understand the complex behavior of models that incorporate data with varying spatial uncertainties. The findings support the selection of possible calibration parameters and help to anticipate challenges for a transient coupling of the model.

Evaluating the performance of water purification in a vegetated groundwater recharge basin maintained by short-term pulsed infiltration events

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (11) ◽  
pp. 1912-1922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgit Mindl ◽  
Julia Hofer ◽  
Claudia Kellermann ◽  
Willibald Stichler ◽  
Günter Teichmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Water Purification ◽  
Bacterial Biomass ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Similar Time ◽  
Recharge Basin ◽  
Biomass Activity ◽  
Recharge Rates

Infiltration of surface water constitutes an important pillar in artificial groundwater recharge. However, insufficient transformation of organic carbon and nutrients, as well as clogging of sediments often cause major problems. The attenuation efficiency of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nutrients and pathogens versus the risk of bioclogging for intermittent recharge were studied in an infiltration basin covered with different kinds of macrovegetation. The quality and concentration of organic carbon, major nutrients, as well as bacterial biomass, activity and diversity in the surface water, the porewater, and the sediment matrix were monitored over one recharge period. Additionally, the numbers of viral particles and Escherichia coli were assessed. Our study showed a fast establishment of high microbial activity. DOC and nutrients have sustainably been reduced within 1.2 m of sediment passage. Numbers of E. coli, which were high in the topmost centimetres of sediment porewater, dropped below the detection limit. Reed cover was found to be advantageous over bushes and trees, since it supported higher microbial activities along with a good infiltration and purification performance. Short-term infiltration periods of several days followed by a break of similar time were found suitable for providing high recharge rates, and good water purification without the risk of bioclogging.

scholarly journals Where to locate a tree plantation within a low rainfall catchment to minimise impacts on groundwater resources

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 10001-10041 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Dean ◽  
J. A. Webb ◽  
G. E. Jacobsen ◽  
R. Chisari ◽  
P. E. Dresel
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Chloride Mass Balance ◽  
Tree Plantation ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Paired Catchment ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Despite the fact that there are many studies that consider the impacts of plantation forestry on water resources, and others that explore the spatial heterogeneity of groundwater recharge in dry regions, there is little marriage of the two subjects in forestry management guidelines and legislation. Here we carry out an in-depth analysis of the groundwater and surface water regime in a low rainfall, high evapotranspiration paired catchment study to examine the impact of reforestation, using water table fluctuations and chloride mass balance methods to estimate groundwater recharge. Recharge estimations using the chloride mass balance method were shown to be more likely representative of groundwater recharge regimes prior to the planting of the trees, and most likely prior to widespread land clearance by European settlers. These estimations were complicated by large amounts of recharge occurring as a result of runoff and streamflow in the lower parts of the catchment. Water table fluctuation method estimations of recharge verified that groundwater recharge occurs predominantly in the lowland areas of the study catchment. This leads to the conclusion that spatial variations in recharge are important considerations for locating tree plantations with respect to conserving water resources for downstream users. For dry regions, this means planting trees in the upland parts of the catchments, as recharge is shown to occur predominantly in the lowland areas.

scholarly journals Catchment-Scale Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Hydrologic Modelling Using Conceptual and Physically Based Models: A Model Comparison Study

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Bizhanimanzar ◽  
Robert Leconte ◽  
Mathieu Nuth
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Model Comparison ◽  
Unsaturated Flow ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Mike She ◽  
Physically Based

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the use of an externally linked (MOBIDIC-MODFLOW) and a physically based (MIKE SHE) surface water-groundwater model to capture the integrated hydrologic responses of the Thomas Brook catchment, in Canada. The main objective of the study is to investigate the effect of simplification in representation of the hydrological processes in MOBIDIC-MODFLOW on its simulation accuracy. To this aim, MOBIDIC and MODFLOW were coupled in order to sequentially exchange the groundwater recharge and baseflow discharges within each computation time step. Using identical sets of hydrogeological properties for the two models, the coefficients of the gravity and capillary reservoirs in MOBIDIC were calibrated so as to closely predict the hydrological budget of the catchment simulated with MIKE SHE. The simulated results show that the two models can closely replicate the observed water table responses at two monitoring wells. However, in very shallow water table locations, the instantaneous response of the water table was not precisely captured in MOBIDIC-MODFLOW. Additionally, the simplified conceptualization of the unsaturated flow in MOBIDIC-MODFLOW resulted in overestimated groundwater recharge during spring and underestimation during summer. Moreover, the computational efficiency of MOBIDIC-MODFLOW, as compared to MIKE SHE, along with less required input data, confirms its potential for regional scale groundwater-surface water interaction modelling applications.

scholarly journals Coupling of dynamic hydrological response units and SWAT-MODFLOW to model the impact of vegetation change on hydrological processes in an arid endorheic river watershed

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Jin ◽  
Yanxiang Jin
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Vegetation Change ◽  
Hydrological Processes ◽  
Arid Areas ◽  
Hydrological Response ◽  
River Watershed ◽  
Groundwater Exchange ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Vegetation change in arid areas may lead to the redistribution of regional water resources, which can intensify the competition between ecosystems and humans for water resources. Thus, it is necessary to understand the impact of vegetation change on hydrological processes in arid areas. We aimed to accurately model the impact of vegetation change on hydrological processes in an arid endorheic river watershed undergoing revegetation. The middle and lower reaches of the Bayin River basin, China were investigated because this is an area of frequent surface water–groundwater interactions and evident revegetation. A LU-SWAT-MODFLOW model was developed by integrating dynamic hydrological response units with a coupled SWAT-MODFLOW model, which can reflect actual land cover changes in the basin. The results showed that the LU-SWAT-MODFLOW model outperformed the original SWAT-MODFLOW model in simulating human activity impact as well as the leaf area index, evapotranspiration, and groundwater table depth. After regional revegetation, evapotranspiration in different sub-basins increased by 1.5 mm per month and by 6 mm per year. The groundwater recharge increased by 1.27 mm on average per month and 14.02 mm on average per year. Irrigation for the recovered vegetation strongly affected the groundwater recharge. In addition, the direction and amount of surface water–groundwater exchange considerably changed in areas where revegetation involved converting low-coverage grassland and bare land to forestland. In areas where revegetation involved converting farmland to forestland, the transition had a weak effect on the direction and amount of surface water–groundwater exchange.

scholarly journals Development of an integrated model for the Campaspe catchment: a tool to help improve understanding of the interaction between society, policy, farming decision, ecology, hydrology and climate

2018 ◽  
Vol 379 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuya Iwanaga ◽  
Fateme Zare ◽  
Barry Croke ◽  
Baihua Fu ◽  
Wendy Merritt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
Integrated Modelling ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Master Program ◽  
Surface Water Hydrology ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Modelling Process

Abstract. Management of water resources requires understanding of the hydrology and hydrogeology, as well as the policy and human drivers and their impacts. This understanding requires relevant inputs from a wide range of disciplines, which will vary depending on the specific case study. One approach to gain understanding of the impact of climate and society on water resources is through the use of an integrated modelling process that engages stakeholders and experts in specifics of problem framing, co-design of the underpinning conceptual model, and discussion of the ensuing results. In this study, we have developed such an integrated modelling process for the Campaspe basin in northern Victoria, Australia. The numerical model built has a number of components: Node/link based surface water hydrology module based on the IHACRES rainfall-streamflow model Distributed groundwater model for the lower catchment (MODFLOW) Farm decision optimisation module (to determine irrigation requirements) Policy module (setting conditions on availability of water based on existing rules) Ecology module (determining the impacts of available streamflow on platypus, fish and river red gum trees) The integrated model is component based and has been developed in Python, with the MODFLOW and surface water hydrology model run in external programs, controlled by the master program (in Python). The integrated model has been calibrated using historical data, with the intention of exploring the impact of various scenarios (future climate scenarios, different policy options, water management options) on the water resources. The scenarios were selected based on workshops with, and a social survey of, stakeholders in the basin regarding what would be socially acceptable and physically plausible options for changes in management. An example of such a change is the introduction of a managed aquifer recharge system to capture dam overflows, and store at least a portion of this in the aquifer, thereby increasing the groundwater resource as well as reducing the impact of existing pumping levels.

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.

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