Increase In Groundwater Level Research Articles

АНАЛИЗ РЕЗУЛЬТАТОВ РАСЧЕТОВ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ УСТОЙЧИВОСТИ ОТКОСОВ ПРИ НАПРЯЖЕНИИ ГРУЗОМ В НАСЫПИ ЗЕМЛЯНОГО ПОЛОТНА

Design characteristics for the stability of the slopes of the subgrade. The steepness of slopes of embankments up to 3 m high on category I-III roads should be assigned taking into account the safe driving of vehicles in emergency situations. An analysis of the values of the design characteristics of the steepness of the slopes shows that the design characteristics in the irrigated zone, when the groundwater level increases and impacts in the subgrade, aggressively acts in the spring period of road slope stability. During the research, it was found that the slopes of all pickets, at a load of 0.15 MPa, where the height of the embankment H=2.0 m are stable, if you do not take into account the impact of capillary water, soil saturation in the embankment. At a load of 0.20 MPa, all pickets with an embankment height of h≤2.0 m are unstable in the capillary water-saturated state.

Groundwater Impacts from the M5.8 Earthquake in Korea as Determined by Integrated Monitoring Systems.

This paper describes the impacts of the M5.8(5.1) Gyeongju earthquakes on groundwater levels using data obtained from a unique coastal monitoring well. The monitoring strategy integrates conventional water level monitoring with periodic, continuous measurements of temperature and electrical conductivity (EC) within the water column of the well. Another important component of the monitoring system is a new instrument, the InterfacEGG, which is capable of dynamically tracking the freshwater‐saltwater interface. Although the system was set up to monitor seawater intrusion related to over‐pumping, as well as rainfall and tidal effects, it recorded impacts associated with a large earthquake and aftershocks approximately 241 km away. Seismic energies associated with the M5.8(5.1) Gyeongju earthquakes induced groundwater flows to the monitoring well through fractures and joints in the crystalline basement rocks. Temperature and EC logging data showed that the EC vertical profile declined from an average of approximately 5300 to 4800 μS/cm following the earthquakes. The temperature profile showed a trend toward lower temperatures as the depth increased, a feature not commonly observed in previous studies. Data from the InterfacEGG suggested that the rise in EC was not due to the saltwater intrusion, but from the tendency for brackish water entering the borehole to induce convective mixing at deeper depths as the seismic waves travel through the well‐aquifer system. The increase in groundwater levels was caused by pulse of colder, less brackish water flowing into the well because of the earthquake. This behavior reflects an enhancement in rock permeability by removing precipitates and colloidal particles from clogged fractures, which improve the hydraulic connection with a nearby unit with a higher hydraulic head. This study suggests there is value added with a more aggressive monitoring strategy.

A Case Study of the Rapid and Long Runout Landslide at Hong'ao Waste Disposal Site in Shenzhen, China

A disastrous landslide occurred at the Hong'ao Waste Disposal Site in Shenzhen, China on December 20, 2015, involving a volume of 2.7 × 106 m3 of municipal solid waste (MSW) that travelled a distance of 700 to 800 m, covering an area of 3.8 × 105 m2 and caused 90 casualties. The geomorphological and geological characteristics of the waste disposal site were carefully examined and the landslide was classified as an extremely rapid flowslide. The major feature of the waste site was the basin-like structure with the bottom composed of low-permeable granite bedrock. Therefore, surface runoff could easily accumulate in the MSW due to the lack of drainage system, resulting in an increasing groundwater level. Laboratory tests, including physical characterization, Consolidation Isotropic Undrained (CIU) test and direct shear test were conducted to characterize the material properties of the MSW. Physical characterization indicated the MSW belongs to sandy silt, CIU tests indicated that static liquefaction was conducive to high-speed sliding. The direct shear test data were used to carry out numerical analysis of slope stability, in which the continuous rise in the groundwater level was taken into account. Numerical simulation showed that the pore water pressure induced by underground water seepage and gradual loading from the upper MSW placement aggravate the failure. Consequently, the main reason of the landslide could be concluded as follows: 1) the perched groundwater level due to a large upstream catchment area and the lack of drainage system; 2) the excess pore water pressure induced by static liquefaction played a significant role in its mobility.

Reliability Analysis of Loess Landslide Considering the Change of Groundwater Level

The reliability analysis of landslide is very important for the early warning and prevention of landslide. In this paper, Monte-Carlo method is used to analyze groundwater level, the variation coefficient of c and ϕ, and paleosol layer impact on the reliability of landslide in Jingyang South tableland. The reliability analysis results are as follows: (1) With the increase of groundwater level, the probability of landslide failure increases and the safety factor decreases. When the depth of groundwater level is 61m, the failure probability is 2.46%, and the average safety factor is 1.166; when the groundwater depth is 31.6 m, the average safety factor is 0.791, and the failure probability is 98.94%. (2) The coefficient of variation “δ” is positively related to the failure probability of landslide, and negatively related to the reliability index. When δ < 0.05, the increasing trend of failure probability and the decreasing trend of reliability index are most significant. (3) Paleosol layer has certain influence on Reliability. When the groundwater depth is less than 35.3 m, the average safety factor with paleosol layer is less than that without paleosol, but the failure probability is higher. When the groundwater depth is more than 35.3 m, it shows the opposite relationship.

Population status of Bupleurum aureum (Apiaceae), a Critically Endangered plant species in a region of European Russia

Protected Areas are considered as an important and widely applied tool for biodiversity conservation. They are especially relevant for conservation of threatened species populations. This paper presents study aimed to investigate population status and suitability of habitat conditions of a regionally Critically Endangered plant species, Bupleurum aureum (Apiaceae). Our research has been conducted in National Park “Smolny” (European Russia). The field studies were carried out in 2008, 2013–2018 in two study sites (Plot1, Plot2). In each study sites, square plots (1×1 m) were established to cover the most number of B. aureum individuals. The population status was assessed on the basis of the morphometric traits of individuals (height of generative individuals, number of umbellulas per umbella, number of schizocarpiums per umbellula), number of individuals per population, age structure of populations, composition of accompanying flora. We analysed relationships between environmental conditions (shadiness, soil moisture, salt regime of soil, soil nitrogen, soil pH, soil moisture variability) and morphometric and population traits of B. aureum to reveal the most influencing environmental factors. We found that at the north-western limit of the range, B. aureum has relatively low abundance and height of individuals in compare to available data from other parts of its range. The population age structure indicated higher habitat suitability in Plot1 due to presence of both vegetative and generative individuals. At the same time, in Plot2, B. aureum population is under serious threat due to a lack of vegetative individuals noted during almost whole study period. We suppose a forthcoming threat of probable loss of this B. aureum population. Environment data obtained in both habitats of B. aureum populations in National Park “Smolny” (Russia) indicated high relationships between soil moisture and the number of inflorescences formed by plants. We suppose a threat of extinction of the B. aureum population due to the building activity of Castor fiber inhabiting the small river Bakhmustika located nearby of study area. If the small river will be dammed, it could lead to decrease in B. aureum population in both studied sites due to the increase in ground water level.

Predicting water level rises and their effects on surrounding karst water in an abandoned mine in Shandong, China

After a mine is closed, dewatering is discontinued, this may lead to a large increase in groundwater levels and deterioration in water quality, which will threaten the safety of surrounding water supplies. To address this problem, these effects were investigated using the Shanjialin Coal Mine, in Shandong Province, China, as a case study. Following the mine closure, five water quality monitoring points showed that sulfate and total hardness in the mine water were 529 and 685 mg/L, exceeding the allowable groundwater environmental quality standards by 2.1 times and 5.2 times, respectively. This will lead to pollution of the surrounding karst aquifer. A numerical groundwater model was established to simulate the water level rise after the mine closed. The simulation results showed that the mine water level will equal the karst aquifer water level seven years after closure. If the water level in the mine continues to rise above the level of the karst aquifer, it may lead to a deterioration in the karst water quality. Therefore, the mine water level should remain less than 15 m.

InSAR Time Series Analysis of L-Band Data for Understanding Tropical Peatland Degradation and Restoration

In this study, satellite radar observations are employed to reveal spatiotemporal changes in ground surface height of peatlands that have, and have not, undergone restoration in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Our time series analysis of 26 scenes of Advanced Land Observation Satellite-1 (ALOS-1) Phased-Array L-band Synthetic-Aperture Radar (PALSAR) images acquired between 2006 and 2010 suggests that peatland restoration was positively affected by the construction time of dams—the earlier the dam was constructed, the more significant the restoration appears. The results also suggest that the dams resulted in an increase of ground water level, which in turn stopped peat losing height. For peatland areas without restoration, the peatland continuously lost peat height by up to 7.7 cm/yr. InSAR-derived peat height changes allow the investigation of restoration effects over a wide area and can also be used to indirectly assess the relative magnitude and spatial pattern of peatland damage caused by drainage and fires. Such an assessment can provide key information for guiding future restoration activities.

Stability of inner dump slope and analytical solution based on circular failure: Illustrated with a case study

The analytical solution of factor of safety (FoS) accommodating the effects of groundwater seepage on the stability of the dump slope was seldom studied in the existing dump stability analysis methods. In this work, the analytical solution of FoS was developed to accommodate the effects of groundwater on the stability of the dump slope. The parameter analysis is carried out and the results show the FoS of slope stability decreases until a stable value is reached with the groundwater level increasing. The reduction of FoS vs. groundwater level can be described by an inverse function, in which FoS reduction rate decreases with increasing groundwater level. FoS = 1 can be considered as the inflection point of the rate change. The analytical solutions are validated in a case study for Shengli #1 open-pit mine, in which field tests were performed to measure the distribution of the flow field. In this case study the influence of groundwater on the FoS of the selected inner dump slope was analyzed using FLAC3D and SLOPE/W and our analytical solutions for a number of engineering situations and consistent and comparable results were obtained.

Riparian wetland rehabilitation and beaver re-colonization impacts on hydrological processes and water quality in a lowland agricultural catchment

Quantifying the catchment water balance and the characterization of its water quality changes are effective tools for establishing the response of catchments to shifting land management practices. Here we assess long-term hydrological partitioning and stream water chemistry over a 30-year period in a rural mixed land use catchment in northern Germany undergoing riparian wetlands and widespread re-colonization by beavers (Castor fiber) along the river network. We used long-term spatially distributed stream discharge, groundwater levels and surface water quality data with a simple monthly water balance model, changes in the variability in discharge measurements, and statistical analysis of spatio-temporal changes in stream water quality to assess long-term changes. Water balance estimates indicated high proportions of evapotranspiration loss (~90% of total precipitation) and relatively low groundwater recharge (<5% of total precipitation) prior to riparian rehabilitation in 2000. Increasing groundwater levels from 2000 to 2017 and the relatively linear nature of the catchment storage – discharge relationship, indicate a gradual increase in groundwater recharge (buts still <10% of total precipitation). Wetland rehabilitation, greatly enhanced by increasing beaver populations, resulted in longer water transit times in the stream network, less linear storage-discharge relationship and a loss of daily stream variability, increased DOC concentrations, isotopic evaporative enrichment downstream, and moderated stream temperatures. There was limited long-term water quality improvements from wetland rehabilitation on either nitrate or total phosphorus concentrations, with unchanged seasonal summer and winter peak concentrations for phosphorus and nitrate, respectively. This likely reflects the long-term legacy of fertilizer use on nutrient reservoirs in the catchment's soils, aquifers, and stream network. These long-term changes in hydrology and stream chemistry resulting from riparian rehabilitation and changes in agricultural management practices provide invaluable insights into catchment functioning and an evidence base for future planning in relation to long-term climatic changes.

The Groundwater Recovery Paradox in South India

AbstractReported groundwater recovery in South India has been attributed to both increasing rainfall and political interventions. Findings of increasing groundwater levels, however, are at odds with reports of well failure and decreases in the land area irrigated from shallow wells. We argue that recently reported results are skewed by the problem of survivor bias, with dry or defunct wells being systematically excluded from trend analyses due to missing data. We hypothesize that these dry wells carry critical information about groundwater stress that is missed when data are filtered. Indeed, we find strong correlations between missing well data and metrics related to climate stress and groundwater development, indicative of a systemic bias. Using two alternative metrics, which take into account information from dry and defunct wells, our results demonstrate increasing groundwater stress in South India. Our refined approach for identifying groundwater depletion hot spots is critical for policy interventions and resource allocation.

Exploring temporal dynamics of spatially-distributed groundwater levels by integrating time series modeling with geographic information system

This study developed a novel framework for integrating time series modeling with geographic information system (GIS). For the first time, procedures of four statistical tests, i.e., t-test of stationarity, cumulative deviation test of homogeneity, autocorrelation technique of persistence, and variance-corrected Mann–Kendall test of trend, are implemented in GIS platform to enable use of raster dataset. Application of developed framework is demonstrated by exploring time series characteristics of pre- and post-monsoon groundwater levels in an Indian arid region. Raster dataset of 22-year (1996–2017) groundwater levels are generated using four best-fit geostatistical models, according to mean absolute error, root mean square error, correlation coefficient and modified index of agreement. Increasing groundwater level trends in central and southern parts are attributed to abrupt change-points in annual rainfall that enhanced groundwater recharge. The developed framework can be adopted in other parts of the world to explore groundwater-level dynamics in spatially-distributed manner.

Assessment of System Responses in Intensively Irrigated Stream–Aquifer Systems Using SWAT-MODFLOW

Water management strategies need to balance water security and food production, particularly in semi-arid regions wherein irrigation is required to supplement rainfall. Irrigated stream–aquifer systems present a unique challenge in this effort, due to complex groundwater–surface water interactions and the high level of human intervention in managing irrigation practices. This paper has two objectives: first, to detail a method for constructing and applying a coupled SWAT-MODFLOW to irrigated stream–aquifer systems; and second, to use the model to quantify the effects of decreasing irrigation on hydrological responses and crop yield. The method is applied to a 734 km2 study region in the Lower Arkansas River Valley, an alluvial valley in Colorado, USA, which has been intensively irrigated for over 100 years and is threatened by shallow water tables. Therefore, a reduction in applied irrigation amounts has the double benefit of conserving water and decreasing waterlogging, given that crop yield can be maintained for food production. The results indicate that an approximate 10% decrease in total applied irrigation water results in decreases of 6% in surface runoff, 8% in evapotranspiration, and 4% in recharge water. It also results in an increase of 4% in groundwater return flow to the Arkansas River, and an actual increase in groundwater levels due to the decrease in groundwater pumping, pointing to the need for targeted irrigation reduction strategies to decrease waterlogging occurrence. The irrigation reduction yields an average 9% decrease in corn and alfalfa yield. This modeling approach is in general transferable to other similar irrigated river valleys.

GRAVSYS Software Based on Scratch Programming for 2D Gravity Anomalies Source Responses and Its Implementation in Trangkil Gunungpati

Gravsyssoftwarewascreatedwiththeaimtoovercomestudent’sproblemswhichhave difficulty in understanding the concept of gravity. This software was developed using Scratch programming which has features to make a simple appearance in the form of images, animations and simulations. Therefore, an innovation of software products can be established as a learning media for students who take gravity method courses. Broadly speaking, Gravsys has several main features, namely data input of parameter model, creating 2D simulation of uniform object, and displays the response of the gravitationalfieldanomalyingraphicalform,sothatitcanhelpstudentstounderstand the concept of anomalous source objects and response to gravity anomalies caused by source objects for various subsurface cases, seawater intrusion, water pollution, natural resource potential (coal, iron ore), prediction of bunker existence, decrease and increase of ground water level. In the implementation stage of Ayodya, Trangkil, Gunungpati, the subproject layer showed that 3 layers were sandy clay with density 1,4 gr/cm3, sand with density of 2.3 gr/cm3, bedrock with density 2.6 gr/cm3, each at a depth of 0-30 meters, 30-60 meters, and over 60 meters.

Deformations of low-rise buildings and structures

On the example of low-rise building of the city of Chernihiv deformations of stone and wooden buildings and structures are considered. The engineering-geological specialties of research sites are investigated. With insufficient practical experience in building buildings under dense constructions, there may be negative factors, in particular, cracks in the bearing walls, foundations, overlapping, deformation of foundations and foundations near the buildings, increase of groundwater level, etc. The survey of selected objects of low-rise building, in particular one-and two-storey residential and public buildings in the territory of the city of Chernihiv, with the definition of the causes and nature of their damage, in particular: cracks in the bearing walls, foundations, overlapping, deformation of foundations and foundations near the existing structures, increase of groundwater level, etc. These studies confirm the unreliable condition of the foundation-underground parts of most industrial facilities, despite the slight pressure on the building's foundation, continue to deform. This analysis shows that unreliable engineering and geological conditions that are exposed to external influences (water pipeline losses, lack of planning of the territory, untimely renewal of drafts, etc.), especially in industrial areas where part of the territory is not used at all, or by appointment, and those objects that are exploited may have a wet process of production, without proper discharging of industrial water. The main cause of the deformations of buildings that are unattended is the lack of control of them and the adjoining territory, a significant amount of moisture has hit the middle through the broken windows, holes in the roof structure, destroyed paving, disassembled communications in the basements , etc.

Transport characteristics of salt ions in soil columns planted with Tamarix chinensis under different groundwater levels.

The groundwater level is the main factor affecting the distribution of soil salinity and vegetation in the Yellow River Delta (YRD), China, but the response relationship between the spatial distribution of soil salt ions and the groundwater level in the soil-Tamarix chinensis system remains unclear. In order to investigate the patterns of soil salt ions responding to groundwater levels, in the ‘groundwater-soil-T. chinensis’ system. Soil columns planted with T. chinensis, a constructive species in the YRD, were taken as the study object, and six groundwater levels (0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5 and 1.8 m) were simulated under saline mineralization. The results demonstrated the following: As affected by groundwater, Na+ and Cl- were the main ions in the T. chinensis-planted soil column, with a trend of decreasing first and then increasing by the increase of soil depth. However, the contents of K+ and NO3- gradually decreased and CO32-+HCO3- gradually increased. As affected by groundwater evaporation, all the salt ions except CO32-+HCO3- exhibited different degrees of surface aggregation in the 0–20 cm layer. However, due to the impact of root uptake, the contents of the salt ions rapidly decreased in the root distribution layer (20–50 cm soil layer), which rendered a turning-point layer that was significantly lower than the surface soil layer; such decreases in ion contents showed a relatively large rate of variation. In the whole T. chinensis-planted soil column, with increasing groundwater level, the contents of Na+, Cl-, Ca2+, Mg2+, and NO3- all tended to first decrease, then increase and decrease again, but the content of CO32-+HCO3- first decreased and then increased. Therefore, the 0.9 m groundwater level was the turning point at which the main salt ions underwent significant changes. The contents of Na+, Cl-, Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the T. chinensis planted soil column exhibited moderate variability (14.46%<CV<86.46%), with a relatively large degree of variability across the 20–50 cm root-concentrated distribution layer and the surface soil layer. However, the K+ content exhibited greater variability (CV>111.36%) at most groundwater level except less than 0.9 m. Therefore, planting T. chinensis could effectively reduce the accumulation of salt ions in the 20–50 cm soil layer with a concentrated root distribution, suggesting that the planting depth of T. chinensis should be greater than 20 cm under saline mineralization. This study can provide references for the control of soil secondary salinization and the management of T. chinensis seedling cultivation under saline mineralization.

Groundwater level forecasting using linear time series modeling: the case study of the thermal aquifer system of Monsummano Terme (central Italy)

Groundwater level forecasting can support a more efficient and sustainable groundwater management. In the present study, linear models are implemented on hydrogeological and meteorological time series related to the thermal aquifer system of Monsummano Terme (Pistoia province, Tuscany region in central Italy), in order to develop a tool for short-term groundwater level forecasting.Groundwater level data were analyzed along with daily precipitation and used for training Autoregressive (AR) models and Autoregressive models with Exogeous Input (ARx). The best performing AR model consisted in a linear combination of thepast 9 groundwater level measurements whereas the ARx model concerned, in addition, the precipitation values of the past 10 days. As a result, these models show an optimal performance in terms of Normalized Root Mean Square, and their residuals (i.e. modeled – measured values) can be associated to a white noise containing no relevant information. This study shows how linear models can beuseful and easy-applicable tools for groundwater level forecasting in systems characterized by a linear relationship between recharge and groundwater level increase.

Fast response of groundwater to heavy rainfall

Groundwater recharge by precipitation is often assumed by practitioners as well as scientists to be a slow process of filtration through layers of uniform texture analogous to Darcy’s law. In most basins, however, rainwater also finds its way through macropores and preferential pathways to the shallow unconfined aquifers within hours of falling. Recharge phases may extend over several days, increasing groundwater levels, stored volume and hence baseflows into adjoining rivers. In this study, groundwater recharge and storage are computed from baseflow as separated with a nonlinear reservoir algorithm from time series of daily flows at gauging stations in northern Germany. Results are compared to groundwater level fluctuation in the catchments and to daily seepage rates measured in a lysimeter station. Peak times of the fast transfer of rain water through the vadose zone are generally the same. However, while recharge from baseflow ends when baseflow assumes its typical recession, the attenuation of lysimeter seepage may last much longer. The volume of lysimeter seepage is generally higher than the recharge in catchments due not only to different vegetation but also to rim effects impeding direct runoff. Furthermore, the lysimeter walls allow vertical fluxes only. Without further evidence or improved devices, lysimeter seepage should therefore not be indicated as groundwater recharge for the site or catchment. Findings also indicate that the shape of derived recharge unit responses is practically time invariant but with a strong seasonal variation in the recharge-rainfall ratio of precipitation events.

FIMAR: A new Fluoride Index to mitigate geogenic contamination by Managed Aquifer Recharge

The objective of this study is to develop a Fluoride Index for mitigation of geogenic contamination by Managed Aquifer Recharge (FIMAR). This index was tested by applying to the Pambar river basin in southern India. About 40% of the study area had fluoride >1.5 mg/L, contributed from the dissolution of fluorite, fluorapatite, biotite and hornblende. The relationship between groundwater level and fluoride concentration exhibited two types of relationship. In shallow wells, groundwater recharge during monsoon increases the groundwater level and dilutes the fluoride concentration. During summer, evaporation decreases the groundwater levels and increases the fluoride content. In deep wells, the fluoride-rich salts that is deposited in the unsaturated zone due to evaporation in the pre-monsoon season is flushed during groundwater recharge and thus, the fluoride concentration increases with increase in groundwater level. This relationship was used as a key layer in FIMAR. Overlay analysis including the well type derived from the groundwater level and fluoride fluctuation, average fluoride concentration, geology, geomorphology, soil, drainage density, land use, lineament density and thickness of the weathered zone indicated 30% of the area was suitable for MAR to mitigate fluoride contamination. Since the construction of new MAR structures is cost-intensive, it is proposed to rejuvenate the existing ponds in the areas identified by FIMAR to induce recharge and dilute fluoride concentration. The positive impact was confirmed using numerical and geochemical modelling. This proves that FIMAR can be used as a planning tool in fluoride endemic areas and that the future MAR methods will be beneficial to mitigate geogenic fluoride contamination.

Mechanism of sinkhole formation during groundwater-level recovery in karst mining area, Dachengqiao, Hunan province, China

The Meitanba Coal Mine area in Hunan province, China, had been impacted by severe cover collapse sinkholes since 1982 due to mine dewatering. After the coal mine was closed in February 2015, the groundwater level has increased significantly. A series of sinkholes were recorded in the study area during groundwater-level recovery. Analysis of monitoring results and in-situ investigation indicated that 13 sinkhole collapses were more likely induced by abrupt change of groundwater–air pressure in response to heavy rainfall from March 2015 to July 2016 when the groundwater level increased by as much as 76 m. When the karst conduit was flooded, a relatively sealed environment was formed between saturated sediments and flooded karst conduit. Implosion of entrapped air might have caused the cave roof to collapse followed by surface collapses in a short time. On the other hand, four sinkholes occurred in November 2016 when the groundwater levels were near the soil–bedrock interface at elevations between 52.5 and 58.9 m amsl and the groundwater-level increase was at slower paces. Field measurements indicate that the groundwater-level fluctuation at the soil–bedrock interface could enlarge the soil cavity and accelerate the subsoil erosion process.

Hydrologic impact of aspen harvesting within the subhumid Boreal Plains of Alberta

AbstractThis study examined the hydrological impact of harvesting aspen (Populus tremuloides) within the subhumid Boreal Plains of Alberta, Canada, following clear‐cutting of two stands in successive winters within a small catchment situated in glacial moraine. Impacts were evaluated using a combination of observational data collected from within the harvested catchment and an adjacent reference catchment and numerical simulations conducted with HydroGeoSphere. Sensitivity simulations evaluated the influence of post‐harvest evapotranspiration rates and variability in atmospheric conditions on the range of hydrologic response. Study results indicate that aspen harvesting had limited impact on groundwater levels and streamflows within these hydrologic systems because of the subhumid climate with low frequency of large storms, large soil‐moisture storage capacity of heterogeneous glacial materials, and high evapotranspiration rates of regenerating aspen. Despite an estimated increase in hillslope groundwater levels of up to 3 m, pond and peatland water levels increased by less than 0.3 m and were accompanied by increased streamflows of less than 10 mm. However, predicted increases in groundwater levels and streamflows were sensitive to regenerating aspen evapotranspiration rates, which can be enhanced by appropriate harvesting techniques but may be reduced by climate change. These results are consistent with previous results from within the Boreal Plains but differ from aspen harvesting studies conducted in other settings where appreciable increases in streamflows have been reported. This disparity highlights the need to consider the integrated response of the hydrologic system when evaluating impacts from disturbance and making comparisons between settings.