Abstract
AbstractMountain‐block recharge (MBR) is the subsurface inflow of groundwater to lowland aquifers from adjacent mountains. MBR can be a major component of recharge but remains difficult to characterize and quantify due to limited hydrogeologic, climatic, and other data in the mountain block and at the mountain front. The number of MBR‐related studies has increased dramatically in the 15 years since the last review of the topic was conducted by Wilson and Guan (2004), generating important advancements. We review this recent body of literature, summarize current understanding of factors controlling MBR, and provide recommendations for future research priorities. Prior to 2004, most MBR studies were performed in the southwestern United States. Since then, numerous studies have detected and quantified MBR in basins around the world, typically estimating MBR to be 5–50% of basin‐fill aquifer recharge. Theoretical studies using generic numerical modeling domains have revealed fundamental hydrogeologic and topographic controls on the amount of MBR and where it originates within the mountain block. Several mountain‐focused hydrogeologic studies have confirmed the widespread existence of mountain bedrock aquifers hosting considerable groundwater flow and, in some cases, identified the occurrence of interbasin flow leaving headwater catchments in the subsurface—both of which are required for MBR to occur. Future MBR research should focus on the collection of high‐priority data (e.g., subsurface data near the mountain front and within the mountain block) and the development of sophisticated coupled models calibrated to multiple data types to best constrain MBR and predict how it may change in response to climate warming.
Highlights
Hydrologists have long recognized the importance of mountains to global water resources (Bales et al, 2006; Viviroli et al, 2011; Wilson & Guan, 2004)
Future Mountain-block recharge (MBR) research should focus on the collection of high-priority data and the development of sophisticated coupled models calibrated to multiple data types to best constrain MBR and predict how it may change in response to climate warming
While the specific definitions of mountain-front recharge (MFR) and MBR vary in the literature, MFR is generally defined as all water that enters a lowland aquifer with its source in the mountain block
Summary
Hydrologists have long recognized the importance of mountains to global water resources (Bales et al, 2006; Viviroli et al, 2011; Wilson & Guan, 2004). Studies of potential impacts to mountain groundwater are more limited but suggest that projected warming and reduction of snowpack will likely decrease recharge to many mountain aquifers (e.g., Manning et al, 2012; Meixner et al, 2016) This decrease could clearly impact MBR, though uncertainties in specific mountain recharge processes, potential feedbacks, and routing of groundwater through the mountain block mean that the magnitude and timescales of such impacts remain largely unknown. Distinguishing MBR from other MFR contributions infiltrating at lower elevation directly through the basin fill has always been necessary for developing effective groundwater source protection strategies for lowland aquifers Distinguishing these different MFR components has recently taken on yet greater importance because the different infiltration locations and residence times of these components mean that they could respond very differently to changing future mountain hydrologic conditions
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