Water Management Plans Research Articles

Uniting agricultural water management, economics, and policy for climate adaptation through a new assessment of water markets for arid regions

Flexible policies aimed at irrigated agriculture are essential to adapt to climate change. Despite the importance of this goal, little published work has conceptualized, formulated, developed, and applied an integrated optimization framework for irrigated agriculture to guide adaptation to climate-related water stress. This research addresses the question: how can water management plans for irrigated agriculture be designed to minimize economic losses caused by adapting to climate-induced water stress? The study answers this by developing an optimization approach that identifies water use patterns to minimize farm income losses during water shortages, considering three water shortage sharing programs. An optimization model, calibrated using positive mathematical programming, is applied to replicate historical land use while adapting to future water supplies that deviate from the historical pattern. The analysis focuses on two irrigated regions in North America’s Rio Grande Basin, illustrating land use, water use, and cropping patterns that minimize regional farm economic losses to shortages. These losses are assessed under three water-sharing strategies: intercrop and interdistrict trading (IIT), intercrop and intradistrict trading (IRT), and no trading (NT). The results demonstrate that IIT yields an average economic gain of $2.824 million per year, while IRT results in an average gain of $2.600 million per year compared to NT. These findings offer valuable insights for water managers, scientists, stakeholders, and policymakers tasked with developing irrigation management strategies in arid regions facing future water supply challenges. The methods developed and results shown here highlight a path forward, using scientific, economic, and policy innovations to strengthen agricultural livelihoods in regions facing uncertain water availability.

Evaluating river basin plans’ effects on water stress in Thailand’s economic development area

ABSTRACT Surging water demand necessitates strategic water management to maintain efficiency and accessibility. In Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor Project, water demand escalated from 2005 to 2018 by 54%, prompting water management plans using pipe diversion. However, this plan merely shifts scarcity issues due to limitations and climate uncertainties. The Water Stress Index assessed the impact using distributed hydrological modelling, revealing the 3Rs scenario, and a dry season rice cultivation lowered by 26%. Specific basins still face extreme stress. Integrating scenarios can refine and alleviate stress, suggesting a combined scenario approach, improving Water Stress Index and efficiently identifying vital water reduction strategies.

Tracing Urban Drinking Water Sources: Global State of the Art and Insights From an IAEA‐Coordinated Research Project

ABSTRACTClimate change, inter‐annual precipitation variability, recurrent droughts and flash flooding, coupled with increasing water needs, are shaping the co‐evolution of socioeconomic and cultural assemblages, water laws and regulations, and equitable drinking water access and allocation worldwide. Recognising the need for mitigation strategies for drinking water availability in urban areas, the Isotope Hydrology Section of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) coordinated a state‐of‐the‐art global assessment to evaluate water sources and distribution of drinking water supply in urban centres, an initiative entitled ‘Use of Isotope Techniques for the Evaluation of Water Sources for Domestic Supply in Urban Areas (2018–2023)’. Here, we report on (a) current research trends for studying urban drinking water systems during the last two decades and (b) the development, testing and integration of new methodologies, aiming for a better assessment, mapping and management of water resources used for drinking water supply in urban settings. Selected examples of water isotope applications (Canada, USA, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Morocco, Botswana, Romania, Slovenia, India and Nepal) provide context to the insights and recommendations reported and highlight the versatility of water isotopes to underpin seasonal and temporal variations across various environmental and climate scenarios. The study revealed that urban areas depend on a large spectrum of water recharge across mountain ranges, extensive local groundwater extraction and water transfer from nearby or distant river basins. The latter is reflected in the spatial isotope snapshot variability. High‐resolution monitoring (hourly and sub‐hourly) isotope sampling revealed large diurnal variations in the wet tropics (Costa Rica) (up to 1.5‰ in δ18O) and more uniform diurnal variations in urban centres fed by groundwater sources (0.08‰ in δ18O) (Ljubljana, Slovenia). Similarly, while d‐excess was fairly close to the global mean value (+10‰) across all urban centres (10‰–15‰), reservoir‐based drinking water systems show lower values (up to ~ −20‰) (Arlington, TX, USA and Gaborone, Botswana), as a result of strong evapoconcentration processes. δ18O time series and depth‐integrated sampling highlighted the influence of the catchment damping ratio in the ultimate intake water composition. By introducing new, traceable spatial and temporal tools that span from the water source to the end‐user and are linked to the engineered and socio‐economic structure of the water distribution system, governmental, regional or community‐based water operators and practitioners could enhance drinking water treatment strategies (including more accurate surface water blending estimations) and improve urban water management and conservation plans in the light of global warming.

Surface-derived groundwater contamination in Gulu District, Uganda: Chemical and microbial tracers

Groundwater is consumed by over 2 billion people globally, though it can be impacted by microbial and chemical contamination in both rural and (peri-)urban areas. This issue is particularly pertinent in regions like East Africa, where rapid urbanisation has strained local infrastructure, including water and sanitation systems. We use selected tracers of human and animal waste to assess the quality of community drinking sources with regards to surface-derived groundwater inputs and to compare urban versus rural water quality, under the rapidly developing urban area of Gulu, Northern Uganda. Specifically, we examine bulk and fluorescent dissolved organic matter (DOM), microorganisms (total coliforms, E.coli) and inorganic tracers of anthropogenic waste (NO3−, SO42−, Cl/Br) from various sources: boreholes (12–76 m depth; n = 90), protected springs (n = 11) and municipal taps (n = 4). Our results show that NO3− and SO42− were elevated in groundwater sources in the Gulu city urban area and the Cl/Br ratio was elevated in springs, compared to concentrations in the more rural Aswa and Omoro County area (p < 0.05). Interestingly, human and animal waste indicators E.coli and Tryp:FA (the ratio of tryptophan-like to fulvic-like fluorescence) displayed no significant difference between rural and urban settings (p > 0.05), though total coliforms were significantly higher in rural boreholes (p < 0.05). The presence of a pollution source, pollution carrier and a breakdown of a sanitary barrier at the borehole, as spot-checked by a visual sanitary risk assessment, was significantly associated with groundwater E.coli abundances. Evidence suggests monitoring and mitigation should be improved for all water types in Gulu District to meet WHO and Uganda Standard guidelines for potable water. This study offers valuable insights for water management planning and risk assessment of community water sources particularly in the context of East Africa and similar settings.

Climate change impacts on the hydrological behaviour of watershed in northeastern Tunisia (Oued El Abid watershed)

Climate change significantly impacts watershed hydrology, altering water supplies, natural disasters, and eco-hydrologic processes. These effects vary geographically, with some regions facing severe droughts while others experience increased precipitation and flooding. Climate change influences atmospheric evaporation demand, precipitation patterns, vegetation composition, streamflow characteristics, and groundwater dynamics. The temperature increases and rainfall changes in some watersheds can lead to increased potential evapotranspiration and decreased streamflow and soil water. Flood frequency analyses indicate an overall increasing trend in the latter half of the 21st century. The Oued El Abid catchment area, as like all catchments in northern Tunisia, is likely to be subject to major climatic and hydrological variations as a result of climate change. Advanced hydrological modelling using the HBV-Light model was set up to simulate current conditions and future scenarios based on Afric-Cordex climate models. The model demonstrates robust performance, achieving Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) values of 0.71 in calibration (1972-1992), and 0.66 in validation from 1993-2001. This climate change has a direct effect on the hydrological projections, which reveal significant changes, with annual flow reductions ranging from 35% to 43%, with more severe impacts under the RCP8.5 scenario for 2069-2099. Spring and summer seasons are particularly vulnerable, showing flow decreases of up to 68% and over 40%, respectively, extreme monthly variability is projected, reaching 88% reduction in July under RCP8.5. This research provides important results for water resource managers, highlighting the necessity of long-term planning and sustainable water management practices in the face of climate change.

Evaluation of stakeholder knowledge and practices of water use management strategy: Observations from a questionnaire survey in Southern India

Freshwater resources remain unequally distributed in time and space around the world. Water resource frameworks should be designed, planned, and overseen in order to fully meet current and future social and economic objectives. The difficulties grow as the system gets bigger and more complex, with varying spatial distribution of water and insufficient resources, making water re-distribution more difficult. The current study fills such gaps by evaluating several factors influencing conjunctive management. In the current study, an effort has been made to compile the best data on water use, agricultural practises, socioeconomic status, and so on through field surveys in order to comprehend the reality on the ground. Additionally, investigations are being conducted into the causes and barriers that are most likely to have slowed the implementation of conjunctive use of available water resources. Two comprehensive socioeconomic surveys were conducted using the quantitative research methodology in a river basin in Southern India, and the results clearly show that stakeholders are unaware of the most effective agricultural water management techniques and the rationale behind modern irrigation systems. Over ninety-five percent of the total respondents were farmers, with only five percent having basic knowledge of watershed development and conjunctive use water management. The identified gaps and the inference made in the study are in the context of conjunctive water management of agricultural water. The current work may provide useful information on the baseline scenarios for upcoming agricultural water management plans, as well as a useful tool for achieving significant milestones in the agricultural sector. Furthermore, the prepared questionnaire and the data gathered for the study may also be helpful to decision-makers.

Different impacts of natural and anthropogenic factors on dissolved organic matter chemistry in coastal rivers: Implications for water management

The chemical composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) exerts significant influence on aquatic energy dynamics, pollutant transportation, and carbon storage, thereby playing pivotal roles in the local water quality and regional-global biogeochemical cycling. However, the effects of natural climate change and local human activities on watershed characteristics and in-river processes have led to uncertainties regarding their contributions to DOM chemistry in coastal rivers, creating challenges for effective water management and the study of organic matter cycling. In this investigation, we employed a combination of stable isotopic analysis, optical techniques, and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) to elucidate the sources, optical properties, and molecular composition of DOM in three South China coastal rivers. Our results suggest that terrestrial DOM entering the three rivers through natural or anthropogenic pathways is gradually diluted by in situ primary production as it moves downstream, ultimately being influenced by seawater intrusion near the estuary. Additionally, terrestrial processes influenced by temperature likely govern DOC concentration, while seawater intrusion promotes the natural production of S-containing organic compounds. In contrast, human-altered landcover significantly impacts DOM molecular composition. Increased water areas lead to the enrichment of lignins with high disinfection byproduct formation potential, and agricultural residue burning appears to be the dominant source of pyrogenic DOM in these coastal rivers. Our distinct results suggest that the development of specific water management plans that consider the combined effects of temperature, seawater intrusion, landcover changes, and agricultural practices will be essential to ensure sustainable water resource.

The spatial distribution of surface and groundwater abstractions in Slovakia in the period 2013–2022 vs 2022

Abstract. In recent years, the impacts of climate change have become increasingly apparent; Slovakia has witnessed a rise in extreme weather conditions caused by climate change. To address these challenges, we analyze and prepare documents focused on monitoring and issuing drought warnings. These documents, including Slovakia's water resource balance, serve as fundamental materials for water management planning. The water resource balance assesses the relationship between water demands and available resources in the past year, identifying areas and times where water demands exceed supply. Additionally, our analysis provides a detailed map of surface and groundwater abstractions across Slovakia, categorizing total and individual abstractions by sector (e.g., public water supply systems, agriculture, and industry). We present surface and groundwater abstraction averages for the period of the last decade 2013–2022, along with its spatial distribution in Slovak districts. This comprehensive approach enables us to better understand and manage our water resources effectively.

Determination of Water Requirements and Irrigation Scheduling for Major Cereal Crops Grown in Welmera District, Central Highland of Ethiopia

Determination of crop water requirements and appropriate irrigation scheduling is important to prevent over or under-irrigation. The study was conducted to determine the crop water requirement and irrigation scheduling of the selected cereal crops grown under irrigated conditions at Holeta, Central Highland of Ethiopia. The crops include wheat, maize, and barley. By using the 30-years climatic data, the crop evapotranspiration (ETc), reference crop evapotranspiration (ETo), and irrigation water requirement for each crop were determined by using the CROPWAT model which is based on FAO-Penman Monteith equation. The results indicated that, the CWR for the early January sown wheat, maize, and barley was 380.2mm, 433.2mm, and 399.2mm respectively. The seasonal gross irrigation requirement was estimated to be 633.67 mm, 722 mm, and 665.33 mm for wheat, maize, and barley respectively. for 1&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;st&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; January sown wheat, maize, and barley, irrigation should be given nine times for wheat (1-Jan, 10-Jan, 21-Jan,5-Feb, 16-Feb, 26-Feb, 11-Mar, 25-Mar, and last irrigation on 10-Apr), with GIR application of 50.3mm, 28.1mm, 34.6mm, 48.2mm,56.6mm,67.2mm,69.5mm, 66.2mm, and 72.3mm depth respectively. Seven times for maize (1-Jan, 19-Jan, 5-Feb, 19-Feb, 6-Mar, 21-Mar, and last irrigation on 10-Apr) with GIR of 54.1mm, 51.2mm, 73mm, 89.8mm,96.9mm, 97.7mm, and 100.8mm depth respectively and eight times for barley (1-Jan, 11-Jan, 25-Jan, 6-Feb, 16-Feb, 1-Mar, 15-Mar and last irrigation on 30-Mar) with GIR amount of 42.5mm, 29mm, 39.6mm, 54.1mm, 60mm, 61.6mm, 63.1mm, and 64.1mm depth at each irrigation date respectively. This study might be useful in preventing over or under-irrigation and planning water management strategies in the district for the selected crops.

Addressing the Causes and Effects of Climate Change in Afghanistan: Mitigation Strategies and Solutions for a Sustainable Future

The goal of this research is to address the causes and effects of climate change in Afghanistan and to develop strategies and solutions for a sustainable future. A qualitative approach was utilized, employing semi-structured interviews with climate change experts selected via snowball sampling. These interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed through thematic analysis. The study identified various causes of climate change in Afghanistan, such as deforestation, fossil fuel combustion, urbanization, ongoing conflicts, industrial activities, inefficient waste management, and poor water management practices. These factors have culminated in escalating droughts, melting glaciers and snow, floods and storms, as well as adverse effects on agriculture and livestock, and an increase in diseases among humans, animals, and plants. The research underscores the urgent need for mitigation strategies and sustainable solutions for Afghanistan’s future. Proposed strategies and solutions include seeking foreign aid, collaborating with national and international organizations, raising public awareness, preventing deforestation and smuggling, implementing water storage measures, learning from other countries’ experiences, conducting further assessments and research, expanding greenery, and formulating comprehensive policies and strategic plans for water management. The findings are significant for the Afghan government, national and international organizations engaged in climate change efforts, and policymakers. Given Afghanistan's heightened vulnerability to climate change, it is essential to take proactive measures and prioritize mitigation and adaptation efforts to ensure a sustainable future for the country. Addressing these critical issues will require coordinated action and sustained commitment from all stakeholders involved.

Impact of land use/land cover change on surface water hydrology in Akaki river catchment, Awash basin, Ethiopia

Watershed reactions to environmental changes is critical for water resource use and management planning. The change in land use/land cover (LUCC) alters surface water hydrology and water balance, subsequently it affects the availability of water resources. This study examined Akaki River catchment surface hydrological responses to future land use scenarios. The future LULC simulated using Cellular Automata-Markov Chain (CA-Markov) model in IDRISI software for 2031, 2041, and 2051 under Business as Usual (BAU) and Forest Patch Protection (FPP) scenarios. Water yield (WY), sediment export (SE), and soil loss (SL) were simulated using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model. The findings indicate that under BAU, forest and settlement areas increased 42.64% and 31.47%, whereas water body, grass land, and agriculture dropped 31.99%, 25.72%, and 10.4%, respectively, from 2021 to 2051. The FPP scenario shows a 66.42% increase in forest coverage and a 31.97% decrease in cultivated land between 2021 and 2051. Overall settlement expansion will expand by 31.44%, while water body and grassland will decline by 11.12% and 24.9%. As a result of LULC changes in BAU scenario, the proportions of WY (4.36%), SE (26%), and SL (22.45%) increased. The hydrological components exhibited more gradual variations of 0.55%, 18.8%, and 14.24% for the WY, SE, and SL, respectively, under the FPP scenario. Therefore, the alteration has resulted in a concerning state within the area, necessitating the implementation of comprehensive management techniques to restore the hydrology of the catchment.

Water availability: spatially distributed analysis and evaluation of input variables

ABSTRACT The simplicity of the water balance equation contrasts with the difficulty of determining the value of each of the variables involved, especially in basins with few or no records. At the same time, the determination of water availability at large temporal and spatial scales does not identify the regions with the highest pressure on it, so it is of interest for the development of water management and use plans to know the spatial variation precipitation (the principal source of water), evapotranspiration (the primary precipitation loss), as well as water demand. This study applies the water balance equation to determine the spatially distributed water availability. Methods for calculating evapotranspiration (Turc and Thornthwaite) and runoff (curve number, runoff coefficient, and Thornthwaite monthly calibration) are compared. The results show differences between the mountainous and rainy areas of the basin. The low area near the sea is flatter, has less rainfall, and concentrates most of the agricultural activity. The latter are areas with water scarcity, although, on average, the entire basin has water availability.

Running to warmer-drier springs in the Greater Mekong Subregion as climate warms

Using the multivariate EOF analysis performed on the observation datasets, this study reveals that the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) has been toward warm-dry springs over most regions especially after the 2000s, accompanied by increased surface temperature and decreased precipitation anomalies. Such climate condition provides favourable environment for compound heat and drought events, raising questions about how the spring climate in GMS will change as climate warms. Based on a multi-model weighting scheme among CMIP6 models, we project the regional climate changes in GMS in a warmer world under the SSP5–8.5 scenario. Results show that the southern GMS including Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia will become warmer-drier throughout the 21st century in response to global warming. In contrast, the climate condition over the northern GMS including Myanmar and Yunnan province of Southwest China is expected to experience a transition from dry to wet springs in a warmer world, resulting in a tendency toward the warm-wet springs particularly in the long-term future. This knowledge indicates the spatial non-uniformity of regional climate under global warming and will aid in advance to plan for water management and agricultural adaptation.

Syntactic measurement of governance networks from textual data, with application to water management plans

Syntactic measurement of governance networks from textual data, with application to water management plans

Water quality analysis, treatment, and economic feasibility of water services of the Neora River in the fringe area of Neora-Valley National Park, India

ABSTRACT Surface water assessment is essential for an accurate water management plan. The present investigation was focused on quality analysis, treatment, and economic feasibility of the River Neora, a raw water source in the fringe area of the Neora-Valley National Park, India. Pearson's correlations showed a positive correlation (0.629) between temperature and total solids (TS), whereas a negative correlation (−0.23) for dissolved oxygen with other parameters. In ANOVA, F-value (&amp;gt;1) was obtained for all parameters except BOD5. The water quality index (WQI) was determined to find out whether the river water meets the drinking water requirements for local inhabitants in the lower fringe. A high coliform count (approximately 4.5/100 mL) downstream further warranted the design of an advanced treatment, the electrochemical oxidation batch reactor. To maintain the water quality grade, the estimation of water benefits was mandatory. The water consumption for domestic and non-domestic purposes was calculated at 5,314,400 and 1,470,000,000 L/yr, respectively. Obtainability and no tax coverage might have led to the overexploitation of water, which paved the way for monetary evaluation (US$695.29). This study provided an overview of the potential of River Neora, which can be restored in the long run by adopting the water development policies by the government.

Principles and Optimization of China’s Unconventional Water Management: From a Brand-New Perspective of Responsibility Allocation

Unconventional water includes reclaimed water, harvested rainwater, desalinated seawater, and mine water. Unconventional water use is considered more of a “mandatory responsibility” in China. The initial allocation of unconventional water emphasizes quantity-centered responsibility allocation while the minimum utilization reflects this responsibility. The unconventional water use responsibility (UWUR) should be tailored to the characteristics of each area, moving away from a ‘more is better’ mindset. However, there is a large research gap in this field. This paper first presented six fundamental principles for unconventional water allocation. Ensuring fairness in allocation involves aligning the allocated amount with urban water usage characteristics. Hence, based on four key features, this paper integrated various socioeconomic and environmental factors to build an initial allocation model. To enhance efficiency, an optimal allocation model was constructed using the zero-sum gains–data envelopment analysis (ZSG-DEA) method. The models were then applied to Jiangsu Province, China, to verify their applicability. The results showed that the projected minimum UWUR allocation (unit: 100 million m3) for each city in 2025 is 1.482 (Nanjing), 1.501 (Wuxi), 0.919 (Xuzhou), 1.029 (Changzhou), 2.977 (Suzhou), 1.497 (Nantong), 0.818 (Lianyungang), 0.766 (Huai’an), 0.875 (Yancheng), 0.920 (Yangzhou), 0.790 (Zhenjiang), 0.858 (Taizhou), and 0.766 (Suqian). The rational and feasible results indicated that the allocation framework proposed in this paper has a certain practicability. Lastly, this paper considered the differences in unconventional water utilization conditions across 13 cities and proposed corresponding measures to improve the utilization. This paper represents a tentative exploration of unconventional water allocation in China and offers theoretical and practical insights for policy-makers to improve territorial spatial planning and sustainable water management.

Assessment of Changes in Hydrometeorological Indicators and Intra-Annual River Runoff in the Ile River Basin

Water management strategies in the Ile River basin (Republic of Kazakhstan) have traditionally relied on historical data without fully considering the potential impacts of climate change. This gap can lead to underestimating the changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, and runoff, hindering effective water resource management. This study aimed to analyze how a changing climate is affecting the Ile River basin’s water regime. Specifically, it investigated trends in temperature, precipitation, and runoff within the basin, emphasizing the importance of incorporating these intra-annual variations when planning water management strategies and hydraulic structures. A detailed analysis of the long-term data was conducted, focusing on changes in meteorological indicators. This included average air temperatures and annual precipitation for elevations above and below 1500 m during cold and warm periods. The analysis aimed to identify and quantify trends of increase or decrease. Meteorological stations were strategically chosen to represent both arid and humid areas within the basin, accounting for the region’s significant altitude variations. The investigation revealed several key findings. Rising average annual air temperatures are leading to a larger area experiencing snowmelt and a longer warm period within the runoff formation zone. This directly impacts the water balance of the basin. Additionally, an increase in total annual precipitation, particularly during the cold season within the runoff formation zone, suggests a potential for future water resource growth, assuming that these trends persist. This study highlights the importance of considering intra-annual variations in water regimes when developing water management strategies. The observed changes in temperature and precipitation patterns within the Ile River basin necessitate adjustments to existing plans to ensure sustainable water resource management in a changing climate.

Sources of seasonal water supply forecast uncertainty during snow drought in the Sierra Nevada

AbstractUncertainty attribution in water supply forecasting is crucial to improve forecast skill and increase confidence in seasonal water management planning. We develop a framework to quantify fractional forecast uncertainty and partition it between (1) snowpack quantification methods, (2) variability in post‐forecast precipitation, and (3) runoff model errors. We demonstrate the uncertainty framework with statistical runoff models in the upper Tuolumne and Merced River basins (California, USA) using snow observations at two endmember spatial resolutions: a simple snow pillow index and full‐catchment snow water equivalent (SWE) maps at 50 m resolution from the Airborne Snow Observatories. Bayesian forecast simulations demonstrate a nonlinear decrease in the skill of statistical water supply forecasts during warm snow droughts, when a low fraction of winter precipitation remains as SWE. Forecast skill similarly decreases during dry snow droughts, when winter precipitation is low. During a shift away from snow‐dominance, the uncertainty of forecasts using snow pillow data increases about 1.9 times faster than analogous forecasts using full‐catchment SWE maps in the study area. Replacing the snow pillow index with full‐catchment SWE data reduces statistical forecast uncertainty by 39% on average across all tested climate conditions. Attributing water supply forecast uncertainty to reducible error sources reveals opportunities to improve forecast reliability in a warmer future climate.

Multi‐Model Machine Learning Approach Accurately Predicts Lake Dissolved Oxygen With Multiple Environmental Inputs

AbstractAs a key water quality parameter, dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, and particularly changes in bottom water DO is fundamental for understanding the biogeochemical processes in lake ecosystems. Based on two machine learning (ML) models, Gradient Boost Regressor (GBR) and long‐short‐term‐memory (LSTM) network, this study developed three ML model approaches: direct GBR; direct LSTM; and a 2‐step mixed ML model workflow combining both GBR and LSTM. They were used to simulate multi‐year surface and bottom DO concentrations in five lakes. All approaches were trained with readily available environmental data as predictors. Indices of lake thermal structure and mixing provided by a one‐dimensional (1‐D) hydrodynamic model were also included as predictors in the ML models. The advantages of each ML approach were not consistent for all the tested lakes, but the best one of them was defined that can estimate DO concentration with coefficient of determination (R2) up to 0.6–0.7 in each lake. All three approaches have normalized mean absolute error (NMAE) under 0.15. In a polymictic lake, the 2‐step mixed model workflow showed better representation of bottom DO concentrations, with a highest true positive rate (TPR) of hypolimnetic hypoxia detection of over 90%, while the other workflows resulted in, TPRs are around 50%. In most of the tested lakes, the predicted surface DO concentrations and variables indicating stratified conditions (i.e., Wedderburn number and the temperature difference between surface and bottom water) are essential for simulating bottom DO. The ML approaches showed promising results and could be used to support short‐ and long‐term water management plans.

Ground Deformation Monitoring Using InSAR and Meteorological Time Series and Least-Squares Wavelet Software: A Case Study in Catania, Italy

Abstract. Persistent Scatterers Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PS-InSAR) is an advanced satellite remote sensing technique which allows an effective monitoring of ground movement. In this work, PS-InSAR time series as well as precipitation and temperature time series in a region in Catania, Italy are utilized during 2018–2022, and their possible interconnections with land subsidence/uplift due to groundwater level change are investigated. First, the potential jumps in the displacement time series are removed, and then the Sequential Turning Point Detection (STPD) is applied to estimate the times when the velocity of the displacement time series changes. The results show a significant correlation between the frequency of turning points in displacement time series and precipitation trend change, particularly during the winter season. Furthermore, the Least-Squares Cross Wavelet Analysis (LSCWA) is applied to estimate the coherency and phase delay between the displacement and weather cycles in the time-frequency domain. The annual cycles of displacement and temperature show more coherency than the ones of displacement and precipitation across the study region. The results presented herein are important for infrastructure and water management planning.