Improving Hillslope Link Model Performance from Non-Linear Representation of Natural and Artificially Drained Subsurface Flows

This study evaluates the potential for a newly proposed non-linear subsurface flux equation to improve the performance of the hydrological Hillslope Link Model (HLM). The equation contains parameters that are functionally related to the hillslope steepness and the presence of tile drainage. As a result, the equation provides better representation of hydrograph recession curves, hydrograph timing, and total runoff volume. The authors explore the new parameterization’s potential by comparing a set of diagnostic and prognostic setups in HLM. In the diagnostic approach, they configure 12 different scenarios with spatially uniform parameters over the state of Iowa. In the prognostic case, they use information from topographical maps and known locations of tile drainage to distribute parameter values. To assess performance improvements, they compare simulation results to streamflow observations during a 17-year period (2002–2018) at 140 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauging stations. The operational setup of the HLM model used at the Iowa Flood Center (IFC) serves as a benchmark to quantify the overall improvement of the model. In particular, the new equation provides better representation of recession curves and the total streamflow volumes. However, when comparing the diagnostic and prognostic setups, the authors found discrepancies in the spatial distribution of hillslope scale parameters. The results suggest that more work is required when using maps of physical attributes to parameterize hydrological models. The findings also demonstrate that the diagnostic approach is a useful strategy to evaluate models and assess changes in their formulations.

Estimation des réserves en eau souterraine régulatrices dans la partie moyen-atlasique du fleuve Sebou (Maroc)

L'estimation de la ressource en eau souterraine dans le Moyen-Atlas est investiguée à partir des débits mesurés dans l'oued Sebou à la station d'Azzaba, sur la période 1959–2015. Pour cela presqu'une centaine de phases de tarissement a été individualisé pour construire des courbes maîtresses de tarissement à partir desquelles le calcul des volumes des nappes est possible. Il est calculé mensuellement à partir du débit modal dont nous posons l'hypothèse qu'il représente la limite entre ruissellement et alimentation uniquement par les nappes. Les calculs donnent un volume de la réserve régulatrice moyen de 54 hm3, mais extrêmement variable à l'échelle interannuelle et intra-annuelle. Ces résultats démontrent la faible inertie des aquifères du Moyen Atlas et soulignent la vulnérabilité du secteur agricole vis-à-vis de cette ressource même lors de courte période de sécheresse. The estimate of the groundwater resource in the Middle Atlas is investigated from the runoff measured in the Sebou wadi at the Azzaba station, over the period 1959–2015. Almost a hundred recession curves have been individualized to build the master recession curves from which the calculation of the volumes of groundwater is possible. It was calculated at a monthly scale from the modal flow, which we assume is the limit between runoff and flow supply only by the aquifers. The results indicated a volume of the average regulatory reserve of 54 hm3, but extremely variable on an inter-annual and intra-annual scale. These results demonstrate the low inertia of the Middle Atlas aquifers and underline the vulnerability of the agricultural sector to this resource even during short periods of drought.

Groundwater-Surface Water Interaction in the Nera River Basin (Central Italy): New Insights after the 2016 Seismic Sequence

The highest part of the Nera River basin (Central Italy) hosts significant water resources for drinking, hydroelectric, and aquaculture purposes. The river is fed by fractured large carbonate aquifers interconnected by Jurassic and Quaternary normal faults in an area characterized by high seismicity. The October 30, 2016, seismic sequence in Central Italy produced an abrupt increase in river discharge, which lasted for several months. The analysis of the recession curves well documented the processes occurring within the basal aquifer feeding the Nera River. In detail, a straight line has described the river discharge during the two years after the 2016 seismic sequence, indicating that a turbulent flow characterized the emptying process of the hydrogeological system. A permeability enhancement of the aquifer feeding the Nera River—due to cleaning of fractures and the co-seismic fracturing in the recharge area—coupled with an increase in groundwater flow velocity can explain this process. The most recent recession curves (2019 and 2020 periods) fit very well with the pre-seismic ones, indicating that after two years from the mainshock, the recession process recovered to the same pre-earthquake conditions (laminar flow). This behavior makes the hydrogeological system less vulnerable to prolonged droughts, the frequency and length of which are increasingly affecting the Apennine area of Central Italy.

Recession curve analysis in function of karst lake hydrogeological regime identification: case study Red Lake, Croatia

<p>Red Lake is an example of a karst phenomenon near the town of Imotski (Croatia), in the central part of Dinaric Karst. It is considered the deepest submerged karst feature in the world, located in an inaccessible area with large slopes of the lakeshore, which makes the research difficult and resource intensive. For this reason, to better understand the hydrogeological functioning of the lake, data on the water level in the lake, collected over a period of five years, were analyzed. The morphometric model of Red Lake was used to determine a relationship between lake volume and depth, furthermore to define integral water inflow and outflow quantities. Recession curves were extracted from the graphical representation of the water influx data series. The calculated recession coefficients were used to identify the dominant hydrogeologic mechanism respective to the water level in the lake and the ratio between recharge components of groundwater and direct runoff. The approach provides a tool for identifying the hydrogeological regime of karst lakes and the stratification of different porosity levels of the surrounding karst massif.</p>

ANALYSIS OF LOW-FLOW CONDITIONS IN A HETEROGENEOUS KARST CATCHMENT AS A BASIS FOR FUTURE PLANNING OF WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Understanding and prediction of low-flow conditions are fundamental for efficient water resources planning and management as well as for identification of water-related environmental problems. This is problematic especially in view of water use in economic sectors (e.g., tourism) where water-use peaks usually coincide with low-flow conditions in the summer time. In our study, we evaluated various low-flow characteristics at 11 water stations in the non-homogenous Ljubljanica river catchment in Slovenia. Approximately 90% of the catchment is covered by karst with a diverse subsurface, consisting of numerous karst caves. The streams in the remaining part of the catchment have mainly torrential characteristics. Based on daily discharge data we calculated and analyzed values of 5 low-flow indices. In addition, by analyzing hydrograph recession curves, recession constants were determined to assess the catchment’s responsiveness to the absence of precipitation. By using various calculation criteria, we analyzed the influence of individual criteria on the values of low-flow recession constants. Recession curves are widely used in different fields of hydrology, for example in hydrological models, baseflow studies, for low-flow forecasting, and in assessing groundwater storages which are crucial in view of assessing water availability for planning water resources management. Moreover, in the study we also investigated the possible impact of projected climate change (scenario RCP4.5) on low-flow conditions in two sub-catchments of the Ljubljanica river catchment. For the evaluation we used the lumped conceptual hydrological model implemented in the R package airGR. For periods 2011-2040, 2041-2070, and 2071-2100 low-flow conditions were evaluated based on flow duration curves compared with the 1981-2010 period. The lowest discharges at all water stations in the Ljubljanica river catchment occur mostly during the summer months. Our results for the future show that we can expect a decrease of the lowest low-flows in the first two 30-year periods, while in the last one low-flows could increase by approx. 15%. However, the uncertainty/variability of the results is very high and as such should be taken into account when interpreting and using the results. This study demonstrates that evaluation of several low-flow characteristics is needed for a comprehensive and holistic overview of low-flow dynamics. In non-homogeneous catchments with a high karstic influence, the hydrogeological conditions of rivers should also be taken into account in order to adequately interpret the results of low-flow analyses. This proved to be important even in case of neighboring water stations.

Variations in Baseflow Recession Curves as a Function of Land-Use Change in the Keduang Watershed, Wonogiri Regency, Jawa Tengah Province, Indonesia

Land-use change and its effects on hydrological processes in a watershed strongly determine the adopted land and water resource management. Human activities that lead to the conversion of forest to non-forest land can continue to modify hydrological systems. This study was intended to analyze the variation in baseflow recession curves as a function of land-use change in the Keduang Watershed, Wonogiri Regency, Jawa Tengah Province. The results showed that the types of land-use conversions had the same model of recession: Qmodel= 0.9747*Exp(-0.2357*ts) for preserved forests, Qmodel= 0.1266*Exp(-0.1238*ts), to represent the conversion of forests to agricultural areas, Qmodel= 0.1108*Exp(-0.1008*ts) for forests to settlements, Qmodel= 0.7628*Exp(-0.2015*ts) for unchanged agricultural areas, Qmodel= 0.0465*Exp(-0.1141*ts) for the conversion of agricultural areas back to forests, Qmodel= 0.1072*Exp(-0.0952*ts) for agricultural areas to settlements, and Qmodel= 0.3359*Exp(-0.1542*ts) for settlements. Overall, the equations indicate that forests can store water better and longer than converted to agricultural fields and settlements.

Characterizing River Baseflow Recession Using Linear Reservoir Model in Alang Watershed, Central Java, Indonesia

Alang is a sub-watershed emptying into the Gajah Mungkur Reservoir in Wonogiri, Central Java Indonesia, with an area of 51.01 km2 and lithology composed of Baturetno Formation and Wonosari Formation. Baseflow is a major component of river flow during the dry season. Hence, the characterization of its recession becomes necessary, and it can be performed with innovation in baseflow hydrological modeling, that is, the recession curve. This study was designed to describe the distinctive features of baseflow recession using a linear reservoir model, which is depicted in individual and master recession curves. The baseflow recession in AlangSubwatershed was represented by a combination of varying initial recession discharge (Q0), α, and recession constants (Krb). The individual recession curves were typified by Q0=0.19-9.11, α= 0.089-0.243, and Krb=0.7843-0.9148. As for the master recession curve, it had Q0=9.99, α=0.085, and Krb=0.928. These results signify a sloping recession curve, meaning that the water storage and aquifer characteristics that store and transmit water in Alang Subwatershed are in good condition.

Estimated rate of karst aquifer development by MRC analysis and flood hydrograph components at Guntur Springs, Gunungsewu Karst Area, Indonesia

Understanding the stage of karst aquifer development (karstification) is of vital importance because this parameter can reflect the character of flow system release, from which relevant management patterns are derived. Master Recession Curve (MRC) construction is considered ideal for identifying at which stage karstification works because MRC relies on recession curves as its primary input. Recession curves are the most stable component of flow hydrographs in representing aquifer characteristics. The study focused on springs located in a karst hydrogeological subsystem, namely, Guntur Spring in the Panggang Hydrogeological Subsystem (Gunungsewu Karst Area). It was designed to determine (1) the flow characteristics and (2) the degree of karst aquifer development at Guntur Spring. It utilized a one-year flow hydrograph with a 30-minute logging interval as the main data. The flood hydrograph showed that a fissure system dominated the flow characteristics. Moreover, the MRC construction results indicated that the karstification level at Guntur Spring was 5.0, confirming the dominant fissure system and also signs of the recent development of conduit flows.