Groundwater-surface Interactions Research Articles

Water and acrylamide monomer transfer rates from a settling basin to groundwaters.

The aim of this paper was to estimate the potential leakage of acrylamide monomer, used for flocculation in a settling basin, towards the groundwaters. Surface-groundwater interactions were conceptualized with a groundwater transport model, using a transfer rate to describe the clogged properties of the interface. The change in the transfer rate as a function of the spreading of the clogged layer in the settling basin was characterized with respect to time. It is shown that the water and the Acrylamide transfer rate are not controlled by the spreading of the clogged layer until this layer fully covers the interface. When the clogged layer spreads out, the transfer rate remains in the same order of magnitude until the area covered reaches 80 %. The main flux takes place through bank seepage. In these early stage conditions of a working settling basin, the acrylamide flux towards groundwaters remains constant, at close to 10 g/year (±5).

Surface–groundwater interactions in hard rocks in Sardon Catchment of western Spain: An integrated modeling approach

Summary The structural and hydrological complexity of hard rock systems (HRSs) affects dynamics of surface–groundwater interactions. These complexities are not well described or understood by hydrogeologists because simplified analyses typically are used to study HRSs. A transient, integrated hydrologic model (IHM) GSFLOW (Groundwater and Surface water FLOW) was calibrated and post-audited using 18 years of daily groundwater head and stream discharge data to evaluate the surface–groundwater interactions in semi-arid, ∼80 km 2 granitic Sardon hilly catchment in Spain characterized by shallow water table conditions, relatively low storage, dense drainage networks and frequent, high intensity rainfall. The following hydrological observations for the Sardon Catchment, and more generally for HRSs were made: (i) significant bi-directional vertical flows occur between surface water and groundwater throughout the HRSs; (ii) relatively large groundwater recharge represents 16% of precipitation ( P , 562 mm . y −1 ) and large groundwater exfiltration (∼11% of P ) results in short groundwater flow paths due to a dense network of streams, low permeability and hilly topographic relief; deep, long groundwater flow paths constitute a smaller component of the water budget (∼1% of P ); quite high groundwater evapotranspiration (∼5% of P and ∼7% of total evapotranspiration); low permeability and shallow soils are the main reasons for relatively large components of Hortonian flow and interflow (15% and 11% of P , respectively); (iii) the majority of drainage from the catchment leaves as surface water; (iv) declining 18 years trend (4.44 mm . y −1 ) of groundwater storage; and (v) large spatio-temporal variability of water fluxes. This IHM study of HRSs provides greater understanding of these relatively unknown hydrologic systems that are widespread throughout the world and are important for water resources in many regions.

Hydrologic modelling for Lake Basaka: development and application of a conceptual water budget model.

Quantification of fluxes of water into and out of terminal lakes like Basaka has fundamental challenges. This is due to the fact that accurate measurement and quantification of most of the parameters of a lake's hydrologic cycle are difficult. Furthermore, quantitative understanding of the hydrologic systems and hence, the data-intensive modelling is difficult in developing countries like Ethiopia due to limitation of sufficient recorded data. Therefore, formulation of a conceptual water balance model is extremely important as it presents a convenient analytical tool with simplified assumptions to simulate the magnitude of unknown fluxes. In the current study, a conceptual lake water balance model was systematically formulated, solved, calibrated, and validated successfully. Then, the surface water and groundwater interaction was quantified, and a mathematical relationship developed. The overall agreement between the observed and simulated lake stage at monthly time step was confirmed based on the standard performance parameters (R(2), MAE, RMSE, E(f)). The result showed that hydrological water balance of the lake is dominated by the groundwater (GW) component. The net GW flux in recent period (post-2000s) accounts about 56% of the total water inflow. Hence, GW plays a leading role in the hydrodynamics and existence of Lake Basaka and is mostly responsible for the expansion of the lake. Thus, identification of the potential sources/causes for the GW flux plays a leading role in order to limit the further expansion of the lake. Measurement of GW movement and exchange in the area is a high priority for future research.

Longitudinal patterns in carbon and nitrogen fluxes and stream metabolism along an urban watershed continuum

An urban watershed continuum framework hypothesizes that there are coupled changes in (1) carbon and nitrogen cycling, (2) groundwater-surface water interactions, and (3) ecosystem metabolism along broader hydrologic flowpaths. It expands our understanding of urban streams beyond a reach scale. We evaluated this framework by analyzing longitudinal patterns in: C and N concentrations and mass balances, groundwater-surface interactions, and stream metabolism and carbon quality from headwaters to larger order streams. 52 monitoring sites were sampled seasonally and monthly along the Gwynns Falls watershed, which drains 170 km2 of the Baltimore Long-Term Ecological Research site. Regarding our first hypothesis of coupled C and N cycles, there were significant inverse linear relationships between nitrate and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen longitudinally (P < 0.05). Regarding our second hypothesis of coupled groundwater-surface water interactions, groundwater seepage and leaky piped infrastructure contributed significant inputs of water and N to stream reaches based on mass balance and chloride/fluoride tracer data. Regarding our third hypothesis of coupled ecosystem metabolism and carbon quality, stream metabolism increased downstream and showed potential to enhance DOC lability (e.g., ~4 times higher mean monthly primary production in urban streams than forest streams). DOC lability also increased with distance downstream and watershed urbanization based on protein and humic-like fractions, with major implications for ecosystem metabolism, biological oxygen demand, and CO2 production and alkalinity. Overall, our results showed significant in-stream retention and release (0–100 %) of watershed C and N loads over the scale of kilometers, seldom considered when evaluating monitoring, management, and restoration effectiveness. Given dynamic transport and retention across evolving spatial scales, there is a strong need to longitudinally and synoptically expand studies of hydrologic and biogeochemical processes beyond a stream reach scale along the urban watershed continuum.

Continuous monitoring of surface-groundwater interactions in a lowland coastal aquifer

Monitoraggio in continuo delle interazioni tra acque superficiali e sotterranee in un acquifero freatico costiero.La distribuzione delle acque superficiali nella zona costiera della Provincia di Ferrara e in gran parte controllata dalla rete di drenaggio gestita dal Consorzio di bonifica. Questa rete ha anche modificato le dinamiche esistenti normalmente tra acque superficiali e sotterranee. Il monitoraggio in continuo del carico idraulico, della conducibilita elettrica e della temperatura sia delle acque superficiali che dell’acquifero freatico costiero, a diverse profondita in prossimita dell’abitato di san Giuseppe di Comacchio, ha messo in evidenza quelli che sono i fattori che controllano ed influenzano le caratteristiche idrochimiche ed idrodinamiche dei corpi idrici considerati e dei rapporti tra essi intercorrenti.

Investigating the effects of sewage on the groundwater quality in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria

This study considers the effects of sewage on groundwater quality using Bosso area of Minna as a case study. Water samples were collected from three wells (boreholes) in three different locations within the study area in two different seasons (dry and wet) and were analyzed for physicochemical and bacteriological qualities. A multipurpose parameter was used for physicochemical analysis while for bacteriological the standard plate count method and the spread plate method were used. For physico-chemical analysis, the results show that well 3 has the highest values of the parameters observed: Total dissolved solids have the highest value of 540.02 mg/L during the dry season, nitrates and nitrites, 38.03 mg/L and 0.96 mg/L respectively during the wet season with standard deviations of 2.47 and 0.05 respectively. The highest values of chloride in well 3 during the wet season was 143.93 mg/L with standard deviation of 6.88 and the lowest value observed in well 1 as 12.42 mg/L with standard deviation of 1.33 during the wet season. Dissolved oxygen had the highest in well 3 as 10.22 mg/L in wet season. For bacteriological analysis, well 2 recorded the highest value of total coliform as 8.92 cfu/100 ml during the wet season as against dry season of 1.46 cfu/100 ml. Highest value of total bacteria was also observed in well 1 during the wet season as 25.44 cfu/100 ml with standard deviation of 1.64 and lowest in well 2 as 6.03 cfu/100 ml with standard deviation of 0.38. High concentration of the tested parameters during the wet season in well 3 was attributed to the nearnesss of sewage to the well and surface-groundwater interaction due to shallow nature of the well. Not all the samples meet the WHO and NSDWQ standard on drinking water quality most especially the bacteriological properties. It was recommended that wells most especially for community use should be deep enough and should be sited some distance away from any source of sewage and that water from wells should be treated before consumption. Keywords: Sewage, Wells, Groundwater, Microbiological analysis

Rainwater Harvesting to Augment Groundwater Levels: A Case Study

A rainwater harvesting structure in Rajsamand district in semi-arid region of Rajasthan was evaluated by rainfallwater level dynamics, surface-ground water interaction and potential/actual groundwater recharge. Daily rainfall and evaporation, water level of the water harvesting structure, weekly groundwater levels of ten wells and pre- and post-monsoon groundwater quality were monitored during 2007-10, and analysed. Results indicated that rainfall had strong influence on the surface water and groundwater levels. Groundwater quality was found to be satisfactory for drinking and irrigation purposes. The potential recharge rate in the area was 1 m.day-1. However, the actual groundwater recharge varied from 4.3 to 30.4 cm (8.3-26.1% of monsoon rainfall). Thus, the study reaffirmed that rainwater harvesting structures have adequate potential in rainwater recharging to augment the groundwater levels in the study area.

A Comprehensive Land-Use/Hydrological Modeling System for Scenario Simulations in the Elbow River Watershed, Alberta, Canada

The Elbow River watershed in Alberta covers an area of 1,238 km(2) and represents an important source of water for irrigation and municipal use. In addition to being located within the driest area of southern Canada, it is also subjected to considerable pressure for land development due to the rapid population growth in the City of Calgary. In this study, a comprehensive modeling system was developed to investigate the impact of past and future land-use changes on hydrological processes considering the complex surface-groundwater interactions existing in the watershed. Specifically, a spatially explicit land-use change model was coupled with MIKE SHE/MIKE 11, a distributed physically based catchment and channel flow model. Following a rigorous sensitivity analysis along with the calibration and validation of these models, four land-use change scenarios were simulated from 2010 to 2031: business as usual (BAU), new development concentrated within the Rocky View County (RV-LUC) and in Bragg Creek (BC-LUC), respectively, and development based on projected population growth (P-LUC). The simulation results reveal that the rapid urbanization and deforestation create an increase in overland flow, and a decrease in evapotranspiration (ET), baseflow, and infiltration mainly in the east sub-catchment of the watershed. The land-use scenarios affect the hydrology of the watershed differently. This study is the most comprehensive investigation of its nature done so far in the Elbow River watershed. The results obtained are in accordance with similar studies conducted in Canadian contexts. The proposed modeling system represents a unique and flexible framework for investigating a variety of water related sustainability issues.

Trace metal in surface water and groundwater and its transfer in a Yellow River alluvial fan: Evidence from isotopes and hydrochemistry

Metals are ubiquitous in the environment. The aim of sustainable management of the agro-ecosystem includes ensuring that water continues to fulfill its function in agricultural production, cycling of elements, and as a habitat of numerous organisms. There is no doubt that the influence of large-scale irrigation projects has impacted the regional surface–groundwater interactions in the North China Plain (NCP). Given these concerns, the aim of this study is to evaluate the pollution, identify the sources of trace metals, analyze the influence of surface–groundwater interactions on trace metal distribution, and to propose urgent management strategies for trace metals in the agriculture area in China. Trace metals, hydrochemical indicators (EC, pH, concentrations of Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl−, SO42−, and HCO3−) and stable isotopic composition (δ18O and δ2H) were determined for surface water (SW) and groundwater (GW) samples. Trace metals were detected in all samples. Concentrations of Fe, Se, B, Mn, and Zn in SW exceeded drinking water standards by 14.8%, 29.6%, 25.9%, 11.1%, and 14.8% higher, respectively, and by 3.8%, 23.1%, 11.5%, 11.5%, and 7.7% in GW. The pollution of trace metals in surface water was more serious than that in groundwater, and was also higher than in common irrigation areas in NCP. Trace metals were found to have a combined origin of geogenic and agriculture and industrial activities. Their distribution varied greatly and exhibited a certain relationship with the water flow direction, with the exception of a number of singular sites. Hydrochemical and environmental isotopic evidence indicates surface–groundwater interactions influence the spatial distribution of trace metal in the study area. Facing the ongoing serious pollution, management practices for source control, improved control technologies, and the construction of a monitoring net to warn of increased risk are urgently needed.

Accounting for surface–groundwater interactions and their uncertainty in river and groundwater models: A case study in the Namoi River, Australia

Surface–groundwater (SW–GW) interactions constitute a critical proportion of the surface and groundwater balance especially during dry conditions. Conjunctive management of surface and groundwater requires an explicit account of the exchange flux between surface and groundwater when modelling the two systems. This paper presents a case study in the predominantly gaining Boggabri–Narrabri reach of the Namoi River located in eastern Australia. The first component of the study uses the Upper Namoi numerical groundwater model to demonstrate the importance of incorporating SW–GW interactions into river management models. The second component demonstrates the advantages of incorporating groundwater processes in the Namoi River model.Results of the numerical groundwater modelling component highlighted the contrasting groundwater dynamics close to, and away from the Namoi River where lower declines were noted in a near-field well due to water replenishment sourced from river depletion. The contribution of pumping activities to river depletion was highlighted in the results of the uncertainty analysis, which showed that the SW–GW exchange flux is the most sensitive to pumping rate during dry conditions. The uncertainty analysis also showed that after a drought period, the 95% prediction interval becomes larger than the simulated flux, which implies an increasing probability of losing river conditions. The future prospect of a gaining Boggabri–Narrabri reach turning into losing was confirmed with a hypothetical extended drought scenario during which persistent expansion of groundwater pumping was assumed. The river modelling component showed that accounting for SW–GW interactions improved the predictions of low flows, and resulted in a more realistic calibration of the Namoi River model.Incorporating SW–GW interactions into river models allows explicit representation of groundwater processes that provides a mechanism to account for the impacts of additional aquifer stresses that may be introduced beyond the calibration period of the river model. Conventional river models that neglect the effects of such future stresses suffer from the phenomenon of non-stationarity and hence have inferior low flow predictions past the calibration period of the river model. The collective knowledge acquired from the two modelling exercises conducted in this study leads to a better understanding of SW–GW interactions in the Namoi River thus leading to improved water management especially during low flow conditions.

Agricultural Diffuse Nutrient Pollution Transport in a Mountain Wetland Complex

Wetlands in mountain environments provide critical ecosystem services but are increasingly threatened by agricultural land use intensification. This study evaluates agricultural nonpoint source nutrient pollution transport in a wetland–stream–lake complex in a mountain, tussock grassland catchment in the South Island, New Zealand. Flow and water-quality monitoring in the Lake Clearwater catchment during three flow events from May to August 2010 (autumn high flow, winter low flow, and winter high flow) showed high concentrations and exceedances of water quality guidelines for total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in small ephemeral streams draining agricultural land during high flows. Concentrations were attenuated through the wetlands to below guidelines, with the exception of TN which still remained slightly higher. Most TN was in the organic form above and below the wetland, suggesting N sources from animal waste/agricultural land and organic material and vegetation within the wetland. Most TP was particulate associated with suspended solids during high flows. Dissolved forms of N and P generally were below guidelines. Flows and loads (instantaneous and daily) increased at the lake outlet during winter high flow, indicating unaccounted sources to the lake from groundwater, the wetlands, or the lake sediments, and seasonal N saturation. Infiltration losses to shallow groundwater along the main perennial tributary likely re-appear as discharge to the wetlands and lake downstream. Surface–groundwater interactions play a dominant role in N transport to the wetland complex due to highly permeable soils and glacial alluvial deposits. Loads and unit loads of TN and TP were also elevated in the ephemeral streams. Results show that TN and TP concentrations and unit loads during high flows in ephemeral streams in this mountain grassland catchment are similar to, or higher than, values for impacted lowland pasture catchments. Although impacts to the wetland ecosystem have not been observed to date, the lake is shifting toward a mesotrophic state, and further research is needed to elucidate impacts of nutrient loads and help meet conservation and restoration goals.

Sensitivity Analysis and Parameter Estimation for an Approximate Analytical Model of Canal-Aquifer Interaction Applied in the C-111 Basin

<abstract><title><italic>Abstract.</italic></title> The goal of this study was to better characterize parameters influencing the exchange of surface water in south Florida’s C-111 canal and Biscayne aquifer using the analytical model STWT1. A three-step model evaluation framework was implemented as follows: (1) qualitative parameter ranking by comparing two Morris method sampling strategies, (2) quantitative variance-based sensitivity analysis using Sobol’s method, and (3) estimation of parameter posterior probability distributions and statistics using the Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimator (GLUE) methodology. Results indicated that the original Morris random sampling method underestimated total parameter effects compared to the improved global Morris sampling strategy. However, parameter rankings from the two sampling methods were similar. For the STWT1 model, only four out of the six parameters analyzed were important for predicting water table response to canal stage and recharge fluctuations. Morris ranking in order of decreasing importance resulted in specific yield (ASY), aquifer saturated thickness (AB), horizontal hydraulic conductivity (AKX), canal leakance (XAA), vertical hydraulic conductivity (AKZ), and half-width of canal (XZERO). Sobol’s sensitivity indices for the four most critical parameters revealed that summation of first-order parameter effects was 1.0, indicating that STWT1 behaved as an additive model or negligible parameter interactions. We estimated parameter values of 0.07 to 0.14 for ASY, 11,000 to 14,300 m d^-1 for AKX, 13.4 to 18.3 m for AB, and 99.8 to 279 m for XAA. The estimated values were within the range of values estimated using more complex methods at nearby sites. The Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient of efficiency and root mean square error for estimated parameters ranged from 0.66 to 0.95 and from 4 to 7 cm, respectively. This study demonstrates a simple and inexpensive way to characterize hydrogeological parameters controlling groundwater-surface interactions in any region with aquifers that are highly permeable without using standard pumping tests or canal drawdown experiments. Hydrogeological parameters estimated using this approach could be used as starting values in large-scale numerical simulations.

Livestock stations as foci of groundwater recharge and nitrate leaching in a sandy desert of the Central Monte, Argentina

ABSTRACTIn arid ecosystems, evapotranspiration generally exceeds precipitation, preventing deep drainage and groundwater recharge. We propose that vegetation changes associated with the establishment of pastoralist settlements (i.e. livestock stations) can disrupt the ecological and hydrological linkages in arid groundwater‐coupled ecosystems of the Monte desert (Argentina), allowing local groundwater recharge and nitrate leaching to the aquifer, affecting groundwater quality. We tested this hypothesis by analysing vegetation, land use indicators, water and nitrate dynamics in three pairs of livestock stations and relatively undisturbed control woodlands. Livestock stations had lower vegetation and dead wood but higher dung covers than control woodlands, indicating soil and vegetation changes associated to land use. Water and nitrate dynamics were also affected by land use. Soil nitrate and water contents sampled down to the water table were higher, and soil chloride and salinity were lower in livestock stations, indicating higher water percolation and N input/transport rates. Higher groundwater nitrate concentrations in livestock stations indicate that these areas behave as foci of N and water export from ecosystems to the phreatic aquifer. Our study supports the idea that vegetation in arid areas prevents downward surface–groundwater interactions, but it also indicates that human modifications of vegetation disrupt this control, reducing soil water consumption and allowing vertical movement of water and solutes to the aquifer, which can modify groundwater quality. Disruptions of ecological processes by livestock activities clearly affect the hydrological links between surface and groundwater. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Shallow groundwater dynamics and its driving forces in extremely arid areas: a case study of the lower Heihe River in northwestern China

Shallow groundwater is an important source of water for the maintenance and restoration of ecosystems in arid environments, which necessitates a deeper understanding of its complex spatial and temporal dynamics driven by hydrological processes. This study explores the dominant hydrological processes that control the shallow groundwater dynamics in the Gobi Desert-riparian-oasis system of the lower Heihe River, a typical arid inland river basin located in northwestern China. The groundwater level and temperature were monitored in 14 shallow wells at 30-min intervals during the 2010–2012 period. After combining this information with meteorological and hydrological data, a comprehensive analysis was conducted to understand the dynamic behaviour of the shallow groundwater system and to determine the dominant factors that control the groundwater flow processes. The results of the study indicate notably large temporal and spatial variations in both the groundwater level and temperature. Noticeable fluctuations in the groundwater level (0.5–1 m) and temperature (4–8 °C) were observed in the riparian zone, evidencing a clear river influence. In comparison, the groundwater fluctuations in the Gobi Desert were more stable (the annual variations of the water table were less than 0.5 m, and the water temperature varied by no more than 2 °C). Strong variations in the groundwater table (1.5–5.0 m/year) and temperature (1.5–6.5 °C), mainly caused by surface flood irrigation and groundwater pumping, were observed in the oasis area. The investigated sites were categorized into three types that reflect the dominant hydrological processes: (1) the riparian zone, dominated by riverbank filtration and groundwater evapotranspiration; (2) the Gobi Desert area, controlled by groundwater evaporation and lateral recharge; and (3) the oasis area, dominated by groundwater evapotranspiration as well as surface–groundwater interactions caused by human activities. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A numerical solution to integrated water flows: Application to the flooding of an open pit mine at the Barcés river catchment – La Coruña, Spain

► We developed an integrated and lumped surface/groundwater numerical model. ► We developed and applied a new approach for actual evapotranspiration processes. ► We applied novel approaches for infiltration rates and overland flows processes. ► Interface and GIS developments manage simulated conditions and numerical results. ► Application allows mass conservation on deep water bodies with complex hydrogeology. This research and practical application is concerned with the development of a physically-based numerical model that incorporates new approaches for a finite element solution to the steady/transient problems of the joint surface/groundwater flows of a particular region with the help of a Geographic Information Systems to store, represent, manage and take decisions on all the simulated conditions. The proposed surface–subsurface model considers surface and groundwater interactions to be depth-averaged through a novel interpretation of a linear river flood routing method. Infiltration rates and overland flows generation processes are assessed by a sub-model which accounts for this kind of surface–groundwater interactions. Surface–groundwater interactions consider also novel evaporation and evapotranspiration processes as a diffuse discharge from surface water, non-saturated subsoil and groundwater table. The practical application regards the present flooding of the Meirama open pit, a quite deep coal mining excavation, with freshwater coming from the upper Meirama sub-basin, in the context of the water resources fate and use at the Barcés river catchment (∼87.9 km 2 ), Coruña, Spain. The developed model MELEF was applied to the complex geology of a pull-apart type sedimentary tertiary valley and the whole of the water resources of the Barcés River drainage basin, down to its outlet at the Cecebre Reservoir. Firstly, the model was adapted and calibrated during a simulation period of three and a half years (2006/2009) with the aid of the historically registered hydrological parameters and data. Secondly, the results predict the most likely forthcoming evolution of the present flooding of the Meirama open pit to reach therein a total depth level of almost 200 m, as regards the projected evolution of the water resources, climatology and usages.

Discretization approach in integrated Hydrologic Model for surface and groundwater interaction

The commonly used discretization approaches for distributed hydrological models can be broadly categorized into four types, based on the nature of the discrete components: Regular Mesh, Triangular Irregular Networks (TINs), Representative Elementary Watershed (REWs) and Hydrologic Response Units (HRUs). In this paper, a new discretization approach for landforms that have similar hydrologic properties is developed and discussed here for the Integrated Hydrologic Model (IHM), a combining simulation of surface and groundwater processes, accounting for the interaction between the systems. The approach used in the IHM is to disaggregate basin parameters into discrete landforms that have similar hydrologic properties. These landforms may be impervious areas, related areas, areas with high or low clay or organic fractions, areas with significantly different depths-to-water-table, and areas with different types of land cover or different land uses. Incorporating discrete landforms within basins allows significant distributed parameter analysis, but requires an efficient computational structure. The IHM integration represents a new approach interpreting fluxes across the model interface and storages near the interface for transfer to the appropriate model component, accounting for the disparate discretization while rigidly maintaining mass conservation. The discretization approaches employed in IHM will provide some ideas and insights which are helpful to those researchers who have been working on the integrated models for surface-groundwater interaction.

Incorporating land-use changes and surface–groundwater interactions in a simple catchment water yield model

Pressure on limited water resources and the environment requires better understanding of how landscape change impacts river flow. Rainfall-runoff models have traditionally focused on estimating total river flows with less emphasis on modelling the groundwater component or the consequences of different land-use change scenarios. In this paper, we present the GWlag model, a water-generation model that predicts river flows with explicit accounting of the impacts of catchment land-use change and surface–groundwater interactions. The paper firstly describes the theory that underpins the model and its calibration then presents a case study application in the Tarcutta Creek catchment of the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia. The case study aims at: (i) demonstrating the ability of the model to predict daily river flows; (ii) modelling the impacts of hypothetical plantation forestry expansions on river flows; and (iii) showing the impacts of reduced recharge on the low-flow regime using three indices, namely, Q90/Q50 (where Qn refers to nth percentile flow), slope of low-flow part of flow duration curve, and % of zero-flow days. Results showed that predicted flows agreed favourably to those observed at the gauge especially during low-flow conditions. The hypothetical plantation expansion from 32% to 87% of the catchment area has resulted in reductions of 48% and 32%, in Q50 and Q20, respectively. The low-flow indices demonstrated the great sensitivity of low flow to reductions in recharge with the trend of the low-flow response changing to non-linear for recharge reductions beyond 10%. GWlag daily river flow predictions compared favourably to those obtained from four other rainfall-runoff models in terms of the Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency (E). However, GWlag produced the highest E-value for log-transformed flows thus highlighting the model's superior predictive capability during low-flow conditions.

Groundwater Fluctuations in Sloping Aquifers Induced by Time-Varying Replenishment and Seepage from a Uniformly Rising Stream

This paper analyses the classical problem of transient surface–groundwater interaction in a stream–aquifer system under rather realistic conditions. The downward sloping unconfined aquifer is in contact with a constant water level at one end, and a fully penetrating stream at the other end whose water level is rising at a uniform speed. Furthermore, the aquifer is replenished by a vertical time-varying recharge. Closed form analytical expressions for hydraulic head and flow rate in the aquifer are obtained by solving the linearized Boussinesq equation using Laplace transform method. Effects of aquifer parameters on transient water table and flow rate are illustrated with a numerical example. To assess the efficiency of the linearization method, analytical solutions are compared with numerical solutions of the corresponding non-linear equation.

Studies of a regulated dryland river: surface–groundwater interactions

AbstractUnlike rivers in humid regions, dryland rivers typically exhibit reduced flow in the downstream direction as a result of transmission losses, which include seepage of streamflow into the aquifer, evaporation, and transpiration. However, much remains to be learned about the nature of the exchange between surface water and groundwater in these landscapes, especially in terms of spatial and temporal variability. Our study focused on streambank seepage and groundwater flow in the alluvial aquifer, specifically on answering questions such as: Is there seasonal variability in seepage losses? Is seepage permanently lost? Can losses be reduced by killing riparian vegetation? To better understand the magnitude, variability, and fate of streambank seepage, we assessed river stages, groundwater hydraulic gradients, and groundwater flow paths at two sites along a reach of the Pecos River, a dryland perennial river in West Texas. We found that along this reach the river was losing water to the aquifer even under low‐flow conditions; but seepage was controlled by a number of different mechanisms. Seepage increased not only during high‐flow events but also when the groundwater level was declining owing to long periods of no irrigation release. Tamarix (saltcedar) control did not affect hydraulic gradients nor reduce streambank seepage and given that this reach of the Pecos River is a losing one, streamflow will not be enhanced by controlling saltcedar. These findings can be used to improve basic conceptual models of dryland river systems and to predict hydrologic responses to changes in the timing and magnitude of streamflows and to riparian vegetation management. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

지표수지하수 통합모형을 이용한 무심천 유역의 지하수 개발가능량 산정

우리나라의 지하수관리는 연간 지하수 함양량을 기반으로 수행되어 왔으나 지히수 함양량과 지표수-지하수 상호작용은 시공간적으로 변동하는 양이므로 지속적인 모니터링과 동적인 분석을 통해 지하수자원의 지속가능성이 평가되어야 할 것이다. 본 연구에서는 무심천 유역을 대상으로 지표수-지하수 통합해석 모형인 SWAT-MODFLOW를 이용하여 다양한 지하수 양수 시나리오(무양수 및 현 이용량의 1~3배)에 대한 수문성분 해석을 수행하였다. 현 이용량으로 양수하는 경우가 비교적 지속가능한 개발량으로 판단되었는데 이때 연간 기저유출량은 16%, 대수층 저류량은 27 mm 감소하는 것으로 나타났다. 지하수의 지속가능성을 평가하기 위해서는 지하수 이용에 따른 수문학적, 생태학적, 사회 경제적, 기술적 영향을 평가하는 총체적 접근법이 도입되어야 하며 이를 위해서는 물리적인 분석과 함께 지역사회의 합의 또한 중요한 의사결정 방식이라고 판단되었다. In Korea, groundwater management has been conducted based on the estimation of annual average of groundwater recharge. Since groundwater recharge and surface water-groundwater interactions show spatiotemporal variation, continuous monitoring and dynamic analysis must be carried out to evaluate the sustainability of groundwater resources. In this study, SWAT-MODFLOW, an integrated surface water-groundwater model was used to analyze surface-groundwater interactions for various groundwater pumping scenarios in Musimcheon watershed. When current usage is applied, the baseflow reduction is about 16%, and annual averaged storage reduction is about 27 mm for whole watershed. As a holistic approach to groundwater sustainability considers the hydrological, ecological, socioeconomic, technological aspects of groundwater utilization, the exploitable groundwater should be determined by physical analysis as well as social compromise in a community.