scholarly journals Minimum dissipation of potential energy by groundwater outflow results in a simple linear catchment reservoir

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axel Kleidon ◽  
Hubert H. G. Savenije
Keyword(s):  
Potential Energy ◽  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Groundwater Potential ◽  
Channel Network ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Groundwater Flux ◽  
Linear Behaviour ◽  
Linear Reservoir ◽  
Groundwater Outflow ◽  
Do So

Abstract. Streamflow recessions of catchments during periods of no recharge can often be reproduced by a simple, linear reservoir despite the complexity of the catchments. Here we show that such a simple linear behaviour can result from the assumption that groundwater drains from smaller units within the catchment into the stream in such a way that the potential energy of groundwater of the whole catchment is dissipated at the minimum possible rate. To do so, we consider the mass balances of groundwater of two connected sub-catchments that form a hypothetical catchment and consider the depletion of potential energy as groundwater drains into the channel network. We show analytically that the catchment-level depletion of groundwater potential energy has a minimum with respect to a groundwater flux that connects the sub-catchments. The catchment-level minimisation results in equal groundwater levels in the sub-catchments with respect to their channels, which then results in a simple, linear reservoir model for the whole catchment. We then discuss the requirements for such a minimum dissipation state to exist and propose possible mechanisms by which groundwater flow can organise and evolve to such a state. We conclude that the simple, linear response in streamflow recession can be interpreted as the outcome of groundwater flow within the catchment organised to dissipate potential energy at the minimum possible rate. Hence, it would seem that energetic considerations provide an important, additional constraint in the dynamics of water flow networks within catchments that potentially reduces the problem of equifinality in hydrology.

scholarly journals Catchment-scale non-linear groundwater-surface water interactions in densely drained lowland catchments

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1867-1885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. van der Velde ◽  
G. H. de Rooij ◽  
P. J. J. F. Torfs
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Distributed Hydrological Model ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Channel Network ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Travel Time Distribution ◽  
Spatially Distributed ◽  
Linear Reservoir ◽  
Active Channel ◽  
Model Approach

Abstract. Freely discharging lowland catchments are characterized by a strongly seasonal contracting and expanding system of discharging streams and ditches. Due to this rapidly changing active channel network, discharge and solute transport cannot be modeled by a single characteristic travel path, travel time distribution, unit hydrograph, or linear reservoir. We propose a systematic spatial averaging approach to derive catchment-scale storage and discharge from point-scale water balances. The effects of spatial heterogeneity in soil properties, vegetation, and drainage network are lumped and described by a relation between groundwater storage and the spatial probability distribution of groundwater depths with measurable parameters. The model describes how, in lowland catchments, the catchment-scale flux from groundwater to surface water via various flow routes is affected by a changing active channel network, the unsaturated zone and surface ponding. We used observations of groundwater levels and catchment discharge of a 6.6 km2 Dutch watershed in combination with a high-resolution spatially distributed hydrological model to test the model approach. Good results were obtained when modeling hourly discharges for a period of eight years. The validity of the underlying assumptions still needs to be tested under different conditions and for catchments of various sizes. Nevertheless, at this stage the model can already improve monitoring efficiency of groundwater-surface water interactions.

scholarly journals Catchment-scale non-linear groundwater-surface water interactions in densely drained lowland catchments

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 3753-3810
Author(s):  
Y. van der Velde ◽  
G. H. de Rooij ◽  
P. J. J. F. Torfs
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Distributed Hydrological Model ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Channel Network ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Travel Time Distribution ◽  
Spatially Distributed ◽  
Linear Reservoir ◽  
Active Channel ◽  
Model Approach

Abstract. Freely discharging lowland catchments are characterized by a strong seasonal contracting and expanding system of discharging streams and ditches. Due to this rapidly changing active channel network, discharge and solute transport cannot be modeled by a single characteristic travel path, travel time distribution, unit hydrograph, or linear reservoir. We propose a systematic spatial averaging approach to derive catchment-scale storage and discharge from point-scale water balances. The effects of spatial heterogeneity in soil properties, vegetation and drainage network are lumped and described by a relation between groundwater storage and the spatial probability distribution of groundwater depths with measurable parameters. The model describes how in lowland catchments the catchment-scale flux from groundwater to surface water via various flow routes is affected by a changing active channel network, unsaturated-saturated zone interactions and surface ponding. We used observations of groundwater levels and catchment discharge of a 6.6 km2 Dutch watershed in combination with a high-resolution spatially distributed hydrological model to test the model approach. Good results were obtained when modeling hourly discharges for a period of eight years. The validity of the underlying assumptions still needs to be tested under different conditions and for catchments of various sizes. Nevertheless, at this stage the model can already improve monitoring efficiency of groundwater-surface water interactions.

scholarly journals Groundwater Flow Modeling: A Case Study of the Lower Rusizi Alluvial Plain Aquifer, North-Western Burundi

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 3376
Author(s):  
Pierre Claver Ngenzebuhoro ◽  
Alain Dassargues ◽  
Tarik Bahaj ◽  
Philippe Orban ◽  
Ilias Kacimi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Pumping Test ◽  
Groundwater Potential ◽  
Alluvial Plain ◽  
Predictive Tool ◽  
Groundwater Levels

The study area, in northwestern Burundi, is an alluvial plain consisting of fine clayey sands and coarse sands with mixed lithology. The aquifer of the lower Rusizi plain could be considered as confined under a clay layer. A 2D horizontal groundwater flow model was developed under steady-state conditions using the Modflow software. The study aims to determine the most productive areas of this confined alluvial aquifer and the main aquifer inflow and outflow values together with the recharge and river–aquifer interactions. The groundwater potential is dependent on the spatial distribution of hydraulic conductivity and aquifer thickness values providing the local transmissivity values. The calibrated model made it possible to assess the spatial distribution of the hydraulic conductivity values at the regional scale, which ranged from 6 × 10−6 (contact between alluvial plain and Precambrian basement) to 7.5 × 10−3 m/s (coastal barriers). The results also provided the computed groundwater flow directions, and an estimation of the groundwater levels in areas not yet investigated by drilling. The results of the computed groundwater flow budget allowed us to deduce that recharge and river–aquifer interaction constitute the main inflow while the downwards boundaries (where piezometric heads could be prescribed) are the main zones where outflows occur. The results of this model can be used in the planning of pumping test programs, locating areas with high groundwater potential to plan water supply for different private and public users. This predictive tool will contribute to the resolution of problems related to the use and integrated management of the groundwater resource in this part of Burundi.

Integration of multiple observed and model-derived hydrological variables in landslide initiation threshold models in Rwanda 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Uwihirwe ◽  
Markus Hrachowitz ◽  
Thom Bogaard
Keyword(s):  
Transfer Function ◽  
Potential Evapotranspiration ◽  
Radial Distance ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Noise Model ◽  
False Alarms ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Linear Reservoir ◽  
Landslide Triggering

<p>This study was conducted using data collected from 3 catchments in North-Western region of Rwanda; Kivu, upper Nyabarongo and Mukungwa. We used two parsimonious  models, a transfer function noise time series model and a linear reservoir conceptual model, to simulate groundwater levels using rainfall and potential evapotranspiration as model inputs. The transfer function noise model was identified as the model with great explanatory predictive power to simulate groundwater levels as compared to the linear reservoir model. Hereafter, the modelled groundwater levels were used together with precipitation to explain the landslide occurrence in the studied catchments. These variables were categorized into landslide predisposing conditions which include the standardized groundwater level on the landslide day h<sub>t</sub> and prior to landslide triggering event h<sub>t-1</sub> and landslide triggering conditions which include the rainfall event, event intensity and duration.  Receiver operating characteristics curve and area under the curve metrics were used to test the discriminatory power of each landslide explanatory variable. The maximum true skill statistics and the minimum radial distance were used to highlight the most informative hydrological and meteorological threshold levels above which landslide are high likely to occur in each catchment. We will discuss our results of incorporation of groundwater information in the landslide predictions and compare these results with landslide prediction capacity which solely use of precipitation thresholds.Here we focus on at the same time on the practicalities of data availability for day-to-day landslide hazard management, both in terms of missed and false alarms</p>

scholarly journals Streamflow recession patterns can help unravel the role of climate and humans in landscape co-evolution

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 1413-1432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick W. Bogaart ◽  
Ype van der Velde ◽  
Steve W. Lyon ◽  
Stefan C. Dekker
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Base Flow ◽  
Natural Soil ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Linear Behaviour ◽  
Forested Areas ◽  
Future Landscape ◽  
Do So

Abstract. Traditionally, long-term predictions of river discharges and their extremes include constant relationships between landscape properties and model parameters. However, due to the co-evolution of many landscape properties more sophisticated methods are necessary to quantify future landscape–hydrological model relationships. As a first step towards such an approach we use the Brutsaert and Nieber (1977) analysis method to characterize streamflow recession behaviour of  ≈  200 Swedish catchments within the context of global change and landscape co-evolution. Results suggest that the Brutsaert–Nieber parameters are strongly linked to the climate, soil, land use, and their interdependencies. Many catchments show a trend towards more non-linear behaviour, meaning not only faster initial recession but also slower recession towards base flow. This trend has been found to be independent from climate change. Instead, we suggest that land cover change, both natural (restoration of natural soil profiles in forested areas) and anthropogenic (reforestation and optimized water management), is probably responsible. Both change types are characterised by system adaptation and change, towards more optimal ecohydrological conditions, suggesting landscape co-evolution is at play. Given the observed magnitudes of recession changes during the past 50 years, predictions of future river discharge critically need to include the effects of landscape co-evolution. The interconnections between the controls of land cover and climate on river recession behaviour, as we have quantified in this paper, provide first-order handles to do so.

scholarly journals Analysis of Water Cycle in Weizhou Island of Beihai City, Guangxi Province, Part II: Study On Groundwater Exploitation Plan

2018 ◽  
Vol 246 ◽  
pp. 02047
Author(s):  
Shunfu Zhang ◽  
Changjun Liu ◽  
Chuanke Li ◽  
Sili Long ◽  
Jian Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Ground Water ◽  
Seawater Intrusion ◽  
Groundwater Level ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Variable Density ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Guangxi Province ◽  
Groundwater Exploitation ◽  
Groundwater Levels

To relieve the drop of groundwater and seawater intrusion in Weizhou Island caused by overexploitation, the analysis model of precipitation-runoff and variable-density groundwater flow in Weizhou Island was established and the model’s parameter identification results were used to investigate groundwater level and seawater/freshwater interface changes under different groundwater exploitation plans. Thereafter, a rational groundwater exploitation plan could be made to prevent the lowering of groundwater levels caused by ground water overexploitation and ecological deterioration caused by seawater intrusion. This could help accelerating the recovery of ground water and maintaining ecological system.

scholarly journals A Comprehensive Modelling Approach to Assess Water Use Efficiencies of Different Irrigation Management Options in Rice Irrigation Districts of Northern Italy

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Mayer ◽  
Michele Rienzner ◽  
Sandra Cesari de Maria ◽  
Marco Romani ◽  
Alberto Lasagna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Irrigation District ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Channel Network ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Rice Irrigation ◽  
Winter Flooding ◽  
Irrigation Drainage

European rice production is concentrated in limited areas of a small number of countries. Italy is the largest European producer with over half of the total production grown on an area of 220,000 hectares, predominantly located in northern Italy. The traditional irrigation management (wet seeding and continuous flooding until few weeks before harvest—WFL) requires copious volumes of water. In order to propose effective ‘water-saving’ irrigation alternatives, there is the need to collect site-specific observational data and, at the same time, to develop agro-hydrological models to upscale field/farm experimental data to a spatial scale of interest to support water management decisions and policies. The semi-distributed modelling system developed in this work, composed of three sub-models (agricultural area, groundwater zone, and channel network), allows us to describe water fluxes dynamics in rice areas at the irrigation district scale. Once calibrated for a 1000 ha district located in northern Italy using meteorological, hydrological and land-use data of a recent four-year period (2013–2016), the model was used to provide indications on the effects of different irrigation management options on district irrigation requirements, groundwater levels and irrigation/drainage network efficiency. Four scenarios considering a complete conversion of rice irrigation management over the district were implemented: WFL; DFL—dry seeding and delayed flooding; WDA—alternate wetting and drying; WFL-W—WFL followed by post-harvest winter flooding from 15 November to 15 January. Average results for the period 2013–2016 showed that DFL and WDA would lead to a reduction in summer irrigation needs compared to WFL, but also to a postponement of the peak irrigation month to June, already characterized by a strong water demand from other crops. Finally, summer irrigation consumption for WFL-W would correspond to WFL, suggesting that the considered winter flooding period ended too early to influence summer crop water needs.

scholarly journals Heat as a Proxy to Image Dynamic Processes with 4D Electrical Resistivity Tomography

Geosciences ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert ◽  
Paulus ◽  
Bolly ◽  
Koo Seen Lin ◽  
Hermans
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Electrical Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Dynamic Processes ◽  
Geophysical Monitoring ◽  
Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Contaminated Aquifer ◽  
Geophysical Measurements ◽  
Do So

Since salt cannot always be used as a geophysical tracer (because it may pollute the aquifer with the mass that is necessary to induce a geophysical contrast), and since in many contaminated aquifer salts (e.g., chloride) already constitute the main contaminants, another geophysical tracer is needed to force a contrast in the subsurface that can be detected from surface geophysical measurements. In this context, we used heat as a proxy to image and monitor groundwater flow and solute transport in a shallow alluvial aquifer (< 10 m deep) with the help of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). The goal of our study is to demonstrate the feasibility of such methodology in the context of the validation of the efficiency of a hydraulic barrier that confines a chloride contamination to its source. To do so, we combined a heat tracer push/pull test with time-lapse 3D ERT and classical hydrogeological measurements in wells and piezometers. Our results show that heat can be an excellent salt substitution tracer for geophysical monitoring studies, both qualitatively and semi-quantitatively. Our methodology, based on 3D surface ERT, allows to visually prove that a hydraulic barrier works efficiently and could be used as an assessment of such installations.

Study of groundwater using visual MODFLOW in the Manas River Basin, China

Water Policy ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 1139-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolong Li ◽  
Xinlin He ◽  
Guang Yang ◽  
Li Zhao ◽  
Si Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Flow Model ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Transient State ◽  
Normal Operation ◽  
Groundwater Flow Model ◽  
Visual Modflow ◽  
Balance Study ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Groundwater Drawdown

For effective groundwater management of a basin, it is essential that a careful water balance study be carried out. A three-dimensional transient-state finite difference groundwater flow model is used to quantify the groundwater fluxes and analyze the dynamic changes of groundwater level. After monitoring groundwater levels for 43 typical observation wells through a simulation study of the groundwater flow model with a depth of 300 m, results reveal that the study area has a lateral recharge of about 3.57 × 109 m3, which makes up 79.08% of the total recharge; total evaporation is about 1.81 × 108 m3, which makes up 3.77% of the total discharge. The balance of groundwater is negative, with a recharge and discharge difference of −2.81 × 108 m3. The correlation coefficient between the observed head and the calculated head for the simulation period is greater than 0.81, indicating the simulation results are satisfactory. The maximum groundwater drawdown is 26.59 m and the rate of the groundwater drawdown is 0.15 m/d during normal operation of the pumping well.

scholarly journals Possible groundwater dominance in the subglacial hydrology of ice sheet interiors: example at Dome C, East Antarctica

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad T. Gooch ◽  
Sasha P. Carter ◽  
Omar Ghattas ◽  
Duncan A. Young ◽  
Donald D. Blankenship
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Sheet Thickness ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Path Model ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Subglacial Lake ◽  
Groundwater Flux ◽  
Groundwater Systems ◽  
Subglacial Lakes

Abstract. We hypothesize that groundwater systems may be the main water transport mechanism over (distributed, inefficient) water sheets at large scales in the interiors of ice sheets where melt rates are very low. We compare melt rate magnitudes to potential groundwater volume fluxes and also calculate the theoretical transmissivity ranges of subglacial water sheet and groundwater flow systems. Theoretical groundwater systems are on par with or are more transmissive than water sheets for the upper half of the permeability spectrum. In addition, we develop a 2D cross-sectional subglacial flow path model that connects subglacial lakes near Dome C, East Antarctica. This model integrates subglacial water sheet flux and hypothetical groundwater flow forcing, better bridging two historically disparate modeling frameworks – subglacial hydrology and ice sheet hydrogeology. Our model results suggest that the water sheet thickness can be highly dependent on groundwater flux and that the water sheet transmissivity is within the total range of the modeled groundwater system transmissivity. We infer from these results that subglacial lake stability and basal radar reflections underneath the interior of East Antarctica may possibly be affected by groundwater flow.

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