scholarly journals Pressurized drainage can effectively reduce subsidence of peatlands – lessons from polder Spengen, the Netherlands

2020 ◽  
Vol 382 ◽  
pp. 741-746
Author(s):  
Jantine Hoekstra ◽  
Annette van Schie ◽  
Henk A. van Hardeveld
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Dairy Farming ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Water Basin ◽  
Soil Subsidence ◽  
Basin Surface ◽  
Below Ground

Abstract. Reducing soil subsidence caused by peat oxidation is a major challenge in the Dutch peatlands. To maintain suitable conditions for dairy farming water levels are periodically lowered to keep pace with soil subsidence. Consequently, soil subsidence continues, causing increasing water management costs. We experimented with pressurized drainage in Polder Spengen, a peatland polder in the west of the Netherlands that is primarily used for dairy farming. In this polder, surface water levels of 40 cm below ground surface are maintained, which results in average soil subsidence rates of 7 mm yr−1. Pressurized drainage is a novel technique to reduce soil subsidence, it uses field drains that are connected to a small water basin. Surface water can be pumped in or out the water basin, which enables active manipulation of the pressure head in the field drains. The objective of this study is to implement this technique into practice and determine its effect on groundwater tables, soil subsidence rates, and water demand. We applied pressurized drainage in 55 ha of peatland meadows in Polder Spengen, distributed over seven farms. We monitored groundwater tables, surface elevation and water demand. Preliminary results show that during the extreme dry summer of 2018, groundwater tables could be maintained at 40 cm below ground surface, which is 60 cm higher compared to locations without pressurized drainage. This reduced soil subsidence by 50 %. Throughout the entire summer of 2018, the water demand amounted to 3–5 mm d−1. We believe the technique can effectively contribute to minimize soil subsidence, but relatively high implementation costs may be a barrier to large-scale implementation.

The potential of data driven approaches for quantifying hydrological extremes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Margrit Hauswirth ◽  
Marc Bierkens ◽  
Vincent Beijk ◽  
Niko Wanders
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Seasonal Forecasting ◽  
National Scale ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Hydrological Variables ◽  
National Water

<p>Recent droughts have shown that national water systems are facing increasing challenges over the last few years. As such, the Netherlands has seen increasing needs to adapt their water management in order to improve their preparedness for current and future drought events. Ideally, the necessary information needed for operational water management decisions should be readily available ahead in time and/or computed in a flexible and efficient way to ensure the various management actions. In this study we show that in addition to the physically based hydrological models, the upcoming and promising trend of incorporating machine learning (ML) in hydrology can increase the information produced to support national and operational water management.</p><p>To investigate the potential of ML for this case, we assessed 5 different ML methods to predict the following hydrological variables relevant for water management at a national scale: timeseries of discharge, groundwater levels, surface water levels and surface water temperatures. We developed a unified workflow for all the methods and variables of interest. As inputs, we only used a limited set of hydro-meteorological variables and general water management policies that are readily available on a daily basis and that can be used when the ML methods are used in seasonal forecasting mode.</p><p>We show that all methods have a good performance, with a normalized RMSE ranging between 0.0 and 0.4, and Random Forest outperforming other methods. This performance remains stable for low flows, where we observe that complex ML methods outperform simpler algorithms. The addition of water management in the ML routine increases overall performance, although limited. Finally, we observe that locations further upstream show a better performance due to the limited water management influence and close proximity to input observations.</p><p>Our study shows that ML has potential in predicting different hydrological variables at various locations at a national scale with only a simple input data set of 5 meteorological and hydrological variables. We additionally were able to capture and incorporate water management information in our analysis, creating a base for future experiments where a combination of seasonal forecasting and scenario analysis might reveal ML-informed mitigation strategies. As such, our approach may improve the preparedness of the national water system of the Netherlands for future drought events.</p>

The effect of ground water-level upon productivity and composition of fenland grass

1951 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Eden ◽  
G. Alderman ◽  
C. J. L. Baker ◽  
H. H. Nicholson ◽  
D. H. Firth
Keyword(s):  
Ground Water ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
High Water ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
The Other ◽  
Ground Water Level ◽  
High Water Level ◽  
Below Ground

1. Studies were made of the effects of varying ground water-levels upon the productivity and composition of Italian Ryegrass grown on a calcareous light peat in the Fenland area. Six cuts were taken throughout the season at 3 to 4-weekly intervals.2. High ground water-level (approximately 15in. below ground surface) had a very deleterious effect on the total yield of fresh grass and of dry matter. Yields were little more than half of those obtained at medium and low water-levels (24 and 38 in. below ground surface, respectively).3. High water-level apparently interfered with nitrogen metabolism in the soil, and considerably lower percentages of crude protein were found in the grass growing on the high water-level plots than at the other levels. On the other hand, the percentage of crude fibre remained fairly constant for all levels of ground water.4. High water-level also had a depressing effect on the percentage of potassium, magnesium and chlorine in the grass. It had no obvious effect upon the calcium and phosphorus levels in the plants. The silica content of the grass rose steadily as the season advanced, this being most marked on the high water-level plots.5. Physical examination of typical plants showed the effect of the various ground water-levels upon the development of the root systems, with consequent effect upon the chemical composition of the grass.6. The composition of hay and aftermath showed similar changes to those reported for the green herbage.7. The findings are discussed in relation to grassdrying policies in Fenland areas.

scholarly journals Increasing Water System Robustness in the Netherlands: Potential of Cross-Sectoral Water Reuse

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Pronk ◽  
S. F. Stofberg ◽  
T. C. G. W. Van Dooren ◽  
M. M. L. Dingemans ◽  
J. Frijns ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Water System ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Effluent Reuse ◽  
Trade Offs

AbstractWater reuse has the potential to substantially reduce the demand on groundwater and surface water. This study presents a method to evaluate the potential of water reuse schemes in a regional context and demonstrates how water reuse propagates through the water system and potentially reduces pressure on groundwater resources. The use of Sankey diagram visualisation provides a valuable tool to explore and evaluate regional application of water reuse, its potential to reduce groundwater and surface water demand, and the possible synergies and trade-offs between sectors. The approach is demonstrated for the Dutch anthropogenic water system in the current situation and for a future scenario with increased water demand and reduced water availability due to climate change. Four types of water reuse are evaluated by theoretically upscaling local or regional water reuse schemes based on local reuse examples currently in operation in the Netherlands or Flanders: municipal and industrial wastewater effluent reuse for irrigation, effluent reuse for industrial applications, and reuse for groundwater replenishment. In all cases, water reuse has the potential to significantly reduce groundwater extraction volume, and thus to alleviate the pressure on the groundwater system. The water-quantity based analysis is placed in the context of water quality demands, health and safety aspects, technological requirements, regulations, public perception, and its net impact on the environment. This integrative context is essential for a successful implementation of water reuse in practice.

scholarly journals ASSESSING GROUNDWATER POTENTIAL USE FOR EXPANDING IRRIGATION IN THE BURITI VERMELHO WATERSHED

Irriga ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doris Elise Wendt ◽  
Lineu Neiva Rodrigues ◽  
Roel Dijksma ◽  
Jos C Van Dam
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Water Balance ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Groundwater Potential ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Management Group ◽  
Irrigated Area ◽  
Potential Use

ASSESSING GROUNDWATER POTENTIAL USE FOR EXPANDING IRRIGATION IN THE BURITI VERMELHO WATERSHED  DORIS ELISE WENDT1; LINEU NEIVA RODRIGUES2; ROEL DIJKSMA3; JOS C VAN DAM4 [1] Wageningen University, the Netherlands. [email protected];2Embrapa Cerrados, BR020, km18, CEP 73310970, Planaltina, DF.  [email protected];3 Hydrology and Quantative Water Management Group, Wageningen University, the Netherlands. [email protected];4 Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University, the Netherlands. [email protected];  1 ABSTRACT In Brazil, the increasing middle class has raised food demand substantially. The Brazilian Savannah (Cerrados) is one of the rare places where agriculture can expand and address this new demand without jeopardizing the environment. Cerrados has a strictly divided dry and wet season. The dry season lasts from May to September. This long period contributes to various problems such as water shortages, conflicts and insecure food production. Without irrigation, only two crops can be grown per year in this region. Production suffers with a recurrent drought. Because agricultural production is uncertain, irrigation has an important role in this context, but its expansion is limited by water availability. Water conflicts have already occurred in some watersheds, which may jeopardize agriculture and decrease the livelihood of rural communities. In general, water for irrigation is limited to surface water. Therefore, it is important to investigate alternative sources of water, like groundwater. The purpose of this study is to assess the groundwater potential for expanding the irrigated area in a small-scale catchment (Buriti Vermelho, DF, Brazil). The current water demand was investigated and simulated by an Irrigation Strategies Simulation Model (MSEI). A daily water balance was computed, which quantified catchment storage over time. In addition, groundwater behavior and availability were investigated by recession curve analysis. The irrigated area was changed using two scenarios that showed different effects in both catchment surface water balance and groundwater levels. A decline in groundwater levels is seen in all scenarios one year after the beginning of extra extraction. With time, water levels may decline beyond the natural recovery capacity, which will certainly penalize poorer farmers and result in areas being taken out of agricultural production. Keywords: Base flow Recession, Catchment Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Crop Water Productivity  WENDT, D.E.; RODRIGUES, L.N.; DIJKSMA, R.; DAM, J.C. VANAVALIAÇÃO DO POTENCIAL DE USO DA ÁGUA SUBTERRÂNEA PARA EXPANSÃO DA IRRIGAÇÃO NA BACIA DO BURITI VERMELHO   2 RESUMO A demanda por alimentos no Brasil cresceu substancialmente devido, entre outras coisas, ao aumento da classe média. O Cerrado brasileiro é um dos poucos lugares no país onde a agricultura ainda pode expandir e atender a essa nova demanda, sem comprometer o meio ambiente. A região do Cerrado possui duas estações climáticas bem definidas, uma seca e outra chuvosa. O longo período da estação seca, que vai de maio a setembro, contribui para o surgimento de vários problemas, entre eles restrições hídricas, conflitos e insegurança na produção de alimentos. Sem irrigação, apenas dois plantios podem ser feitos por ano. Os cultivos sofrem com os veranicos e a produção é incerta. A irrigação é de fundamental importância nesse contexto, mas sua expansão é limitada pela disponibilidade de água. Em algumas bacias hidrográficas já se observam a ocorrência de conflitos, que podem comprometer a agricultura irrigada e a qualidade de vida das comunidades rurais. De maneira geral, a água para irrigação é de superfície. Desta forma, é importante investigar fontes alternativas de água, com vista ao crescimento da irrigação, tais como a água subterrânea. O Objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar a viabilidade de se utilizar água subterrânea para expandir a agricultura irrigada na bacia hidrográfica do Buriti Vermelho, DF, Brasil. A demanda atual de água foi estimada por meio de um modelo de simulação de estratégias de irrigação (MSEI). Um balanço diário da água no solo foi realizado. O comportamento e a disponibilidade de água subterrânea foram avaliados por meio de uma análise da curva de recessão. Para fins da análise, foram utilizados três cenários de área irrigada, que indicaram diferentes efeitos tanto no perfil do balanço de água no solo quanto no nível do lençol freático. Nos três cenários avaliados, em apenas um ano após a expansão da área irrigada, verificou-se um rebaixamento do lençol freático, que pode atingir níveis abaixo da sua capacidade natural de recuperação. Esse rebaixamento penalizará principalmente os agricultores menores. Em alguns casos haverá necessidade de interromper a produção em algumas áreas. Palavras-chave: Curva de recessão, hidrologia, hidrogeologia, produtividade do uso da água

The effect of ground water-level upon productivity and composition of fenland grass (II)

1953 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. H. Nicholson ◽  
D. H. Firth ◽  
A. Eden ◽  
G. Alderman ◽  
C. J. L. Baker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ground Water ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Peat Soil ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
High Water ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
High Water Level ◽  
Below Ground

1. Further studies were carried out during 1950 on the effects of different ground water-levels upon the productivity and composition of Italian ryegrass grown on a calcareous light peat soil. The season was an unusually wet one, in contrast with the dry season experienced in 1949.2. Seven successive cuts were taken during the season from each of two crops of ryegrass, one following a crop of marrow-stem kale, and the other a crop of celery. Different amounts of a general compound fertilizer had been applied.3. Generally, the findings confirmed those of the previous year's investigation. High ground waterlevel (approximately 18 in. below ground surface) had a deleterious effect upon the yield and quality of ryegrass as reflected by its protein content, compared with the medium and low water-levels (23 and 30 in. below ground surface, respectively).4. The high water-level also had a depressing effect upon the percentage of potassium and magnesium in the grass, but had no consistent effect upon calcium and phosphorus. The silica content rose steadily in all cases as the season advanced, as occurred in the previous year.5. Residual manuring effects were well marked in the crop following celery. The total yields of dry matter from the medium and low water-levels considerably exceeded those of similar plots following kale, and the protein contents were also appreciably higher. This demonstrates the advantages of a high soil nutrient status, under conditions of suitable water-levels, for a crop of fenland grass.6. A high water-level inhibited growth and quality, irrespective of the nutrient status of the soil.

scholarly journals Integrated impact assessment of adaptive management strategies in a Dutch peatland polder

2020 ◽  
Vol 382 ◽  
pp. 553-557
Author(s):  
Henk van Hardeveld ◽  
Harm de Jong ◽  
Maxim Knepflé ◽  
Thijs de Lange ◽  
Paul Schot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Adaptive Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Water System ◽  
Shallow Groundwater ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Soil Subsidence

Abstract. To achieve a more sustainable management of the subsiding Dutch peatlands, adaptations such as progressively higher surface water levels, pressurized field drains and a transition from dairy farming to paludiculture are considered. However, a clear understanding of implementation pathways for adaptive management strategies is lacking. Therefore, we used the RE:PEAT tool to elucidate the short-term and long-term impacts during 2025–2100 of two adaptive management strategies in Polder Zegveld and how to fairly distribute the costs and benefits of these strategies among the stakeholder groups. The strategies resulted in marked differences in soil subsidence and temporal trends in societal costs and benefits that affected stakeholders unequally. The adaptations were shown to reduce soil subsidence and enhance the sustainability of peatland management. We explored several options for a collective implementation of the adaptative management strategies. In addition, we discuss several ideas to further capitalize on the potential of the RE:PEAT tool to support peatland management. Currently, we are developing additional features that enable high spatio-temporal resolution simulations of the integrated dynamics of the surface water system, the shallow groundwater system, rainfall-runoff processes and solute transport. In combination with the PCDitch model, this will also enable detailed ecological assessments. This will pave the way for implementation pathways for adaptive management strategies that will contribute to a more sustainable peatland management.

Raising surface water levels in peat areas with dairy farming

2010 ◽  
Vol 97 (11) ◽  
pp. 1887-1897 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. de Vos ◽  
P.J.T. van Bakel ◽  
I.E. Hoving ◽  
R.A. Smidt
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Dairy Farming ◽  
Water Levels

scholarly journals Hydrologic Investigations of Groundwater and Surface-water Interactions In Subarctic Alaska

2000 ◽  
Vol 31 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 339-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry D. Hinzman ◽  
Matthew Wegner ◽  
Michael R. Lilly
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Specific Conductance ◽  
Dynamic Interactions ◽  
Water Influx ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
Flow Reversals ◽  
Mixing Water ◽  
Hydrologic Conditions ◽  
Spring Snowmelt

Dynamic interactions between rivers and adjacent aquifers can significantly affect near-bank geochemistry and processes associated with natural attenuation of contaminants by mixing water or introducing oxygen or nutrients. During 1997 and 1998 in a study near Fairbanks, Alaska U.S.A, the hydrologic conditions in the Chena River and in the adjacent groundwater were monitored. The river stage, groundwater elevations, and the water chemistry and temperature in both river and groundwater were measured. In the spring of 1997, the groundwater gradient close to the Chena River reversed causing surface water to enter the aquifer. Changes in temperature, specific conductance and alkalinity were used to determine the extent of bank recharge. For approximately one week during spring snowmelt of 1997, surface-water influx from the Chena River occurred approximately between the depths of 5.33 m and 9.1 m below ground surface. The effects of bank recharge extended at least 6.1 m but not to 30.5 m from the banks of the Chena River into the aquifer. Bank recharge caused 64 to 68 per cent of the groundwater, 6.1 m from the bank at a depth of 6.78 m to be displaced by surface water influx. Peak flows during 1998 were not high enough to cause flow reversals.

Form Follows Experience - Notes on the Functionality of Footbridges

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Schreinemachers ◽  
Wiebe Strick
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Highway Bridge ◽  
Or Efficiency ◽  
Pedestrian Bridges ◽  
The City ◽  
Prime Location ◽  
Natural Way

<p>Should a bridge always be functional and accessible? Should it always fulfil its purpose? This seemingly self- evident question is a key question in footbridge design that is oriented towards creating experiences.</p><p>Footbridges are able to successfully enriches our experience of a certain context or landscape, it cannot be functional all the time, under all environmental conditions, weather and seasons. A good example is the Zalige bridge designed as part of the Room for the River, a large-scale national program for inland flood- protection in the Netherlands. Build upon the floodplains within a newly created river-park by the city of Nijmegen, the Zalige bridge’s curved shape stands in direct relationship to the fluctuating water levels of the river. When water levels rise, the bridge partially submerges, becoming only accessible through steppingstones. At peak heights, the bridge disappears completely, becoming a metaphor for our relationship to the water.</p><p>“Building a bridge that fails to fulfil its sole purpose of containing the water; this can only be pulled off in the Netherlands.” – jury Dutch Design Awards about the Zalige bridge.</p><p>The loss of functionality is directly related to the creation of an experience. When the water levels rose in January 2018, the bridge became the prime location to experience the changing landscape. It shows that engineering a bridge is not solely focussed on the most efficient engineering, but for the purpose it fulfils as for society. For most pedestrian bridges where the perception of the user is on a different level as for a highway bridge, functionality provides more than just cost driven or efficiency driven parameters. It is more related to the added value for the community. When design not solemnly derives from the sheer taste and predilection of the designer but is based on the user’s experience, it generates a durable relation with a feeling of ownership of its users. The key is to create this experience in an elegant and natural way and not forced or dictated. It should be people's own unique discovery and should not be imposed.</p>

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