Abstract. Groundwater is one of the most important natural resources for
economic development and environmental sustainability. In this study, we
estimated groundwater storage in 11 major river basins across Alberta,
Canada,
using a combination of remote sensing (Gravity Recovery and Climate
Experiment, GRACE), in situ surface water data, and land surface modeling
estimates (GWSAsat). We applied separate calculations for unconfined and
confined aquifers, for the first time, to represent their hydrogeological
differences. Storage coefficients for the individual wells were incorporated
to compute the monthly in situ groundwater storage (GWSAobs). The
GWSAsat values from the two satellite-based products were compared with
GWSAobs estimates. The estimates of GWSAsat were in good agreement
with the GWSAobs in terms of pattern and magnitude (e.g., RMSE ranged
from 2 to 14 cm). While comparing GWSAsat with GWSAobs, most of the
statistical analyses provide mixed responses; however the Hodrick–Prescott
trend analysis clearly showed a better performance of the GRACE-mascon
estimate. The results showed trends of GWSAobs depletion in 5 of the 11
basins. Our results indicate that precipitation played an important role
in influencing the GWSAobs variation in 4 of the 11 basins studied. A
combination of rainfall and snowmelt positively influences the GWSAobs in
six basins. Water budget analysis showed an availability of comparatively lower
terrestrial water in 9 of the 11 basins in the study period. Historical
groundwater recharge estimates indicate a reduction of groundwater recharge
in eight basins during 1960–2009. The output of this study could be used to
develop sustainable water withdrawal strategies in Alberta, Canada.