Modeling approach for the assessment of recharge contribution to groundwater from surface irrigation conveyance system

Rice–Wheat rotation system utilizes surface, ground and rain water resources conjunctively. Recent studies have shown increasing contribution of groundwater for crop irrigation. As the system utilizes water pumped from the underlying aquifer and partly seeps back, a cycle of recharge and discharge continues. Sustainability of groundwater system for the on-going drought in the country depends mainly on the recharge of the aquifer. The reported study was, therefore, carried out to measure and assess the recharge contribution of a distributary of canal in Punjab, Pakistan. Assessment of recharge through distributary was carried out using a groundwater flow “MODFLOW” model, which utilized the observed watertable, climatic, crop and soil for a period of about 1 year in addition to hydraulic conductivity, evapotranspiration and aquifer characteristics data. The requisite primary data for “MODFLOW” were collected from field and secondary data from public sector organizations dealing with water. Model calibration involved changing input parameters within reasonable limits until acceptable matches were obtained between the observed and simulated water levels for all observed hydrographs. The external inputs such as, recharge through irrigation, precipitation, stresses due to evaporation, lateral flow and stream were simulated to calculate the monthly water budget of aquifer. As concluded, recharge contribution was 16.5% of the inflow rate of the distributary. Using predicted results of the model a relationship between recharge (R) and discharge (Q) was also developed. Although, the presented results of recharge contribution were limited to one distributary of canal irrigation system, yet the developed methodology can be extended to the other canal systems of the Indus Basin.     

考虑地下水人工回灌的灌区水资源管理研究

主要探讨人工回灌情况下的灌区水资源管理问题。将研究区域的整个地下含水层视为单一单元 ,分别介绍了该单一单元的各个输入变量和输出变量 ,基于地下水的水均衡方程 ,得到了可用于对灌区的水资源进行有效管理的数学模型。文中举一示例介绍该模型的应用 ,结果表明该模型可用来确定需要抽取的地下水量以及地下含水层的蓄水量 ,为灌区的水资源规划管理提供有益的指导。     

Hydrological impacts of rainwater harvesting (RWH) in a case study catchment: The Arvari River, Rajasthan, India. Part 1: Field-scale impacts

Rainwater harvesting (RWH), the small-scale collection and storage of runoff to augment groundwater stores, has been seen as a solution to the deepening groundwater crisis in India. However, hydrological impacts of RWH in India are not well understood, particularly at the larger catchment-scale. A key element to grasping RWH impact involves understanding the generated recharge variability in time and space, which is the result of variability in rainfall-runoff and efficiency of RWH structures. Yet there are very few reported empirical studies of the impact of RWH. Catchment-scale impacts are best studied using a water balance model, which would require a basic level of field data and understanding of the variability. This study reports the results of a 2-year field study in the 476 km² semi-arid Arvari River catchment, where over 366 RWH structures have been built since 1985. Difficulties associated with working in semi-arid regions include data scarcity. Potential recharge estimates from seven RWH storages, across three different types and in six landscape positions, were calculated using the water balance method. These estimates were compared with recharge estimates from monitored water levels in 29 dug wells using the water table fluctuation method. The average daily potential recharge from RWH structures varied between 12 and 52 mm/day, while estimated actual recharge reaching the groundwater ranged from 3 to 7 mm/day. The large difference between recharge estimates could be explained through soil storage, local groundwater mounding beneath structures and a large lateral transmissivity in the aquifer. Overall, approximately 7% of rainfall is recharged by RWH in the catchment, which was similar in the comparatively wet and dry years of the field analysis. There were key differences between RWH structures, due to engineering design and location. These results indicate that recharge from RWH affects the local groundwater table, but also has potential to move laterally and impact surrounding areas. However, the greatest weakness in such analysis is the lack of information available on aquifer characteristics, in addition to geology and soil type.     

Estimating potential costs and gains from an aquifer storage and recovery program in Australia

Artificial recharge of aquifer storage can provide water during drought periods, reverse falling groundwater levels and reduce water losses associated with leakage and evaporation, as compared with surface water storage. We examine the technical and economic potential of artificial storage and recovery for drought mitigation in the Murrumbidgee Region of New South Wales, Australia. Potential locations for infiltration basins and injection/recovery wells are identified according to criteria such as water availability, aquifer suitability, recharge potential, and potential to provide a usable resource. The estimated annual artificial recharge potential is 180,000 ML through a combination of injection wells and infiltration basins. The cost estimates for artificial recharge vary from AU$ 62 ML⁻¹ to AU$ 174 ML⁻¹ depending on the choice of recharge method. Underground storage capacity can be developed at less than half the cost of surface storage facilities without undesirable environmental consequences or evaporation losses. The estimated benefits of artificial storage and recovery through infiltration basins are three to seven times the costs, during low allocation years.     

浅述利用地下储水空间蓄水——介绍河北省藁城市地下水人工回灌试验

我国北方随着工、农业、生活用水量日益增大,大量开采地下,造成地下水位逐年下降,产生了一些不良地质现象,这是需要制止的。藁城市利用地下储水空间蓄水,进行地下水人工回灌试验,取得了一定成果。地下水的人工回灌是防止地下水持续下降的一种方法。本文介绍的各种回灌方法,可供类同地区参考。     

A water balance model to estimate groundwater recharge in Rechna doab,Pakistan

The main objective of this study was to develop a procedure to evaluate various recharge components of a groundwater reservoir to estimate the long term average seasonal groundwater recharge in Rechna doab in the Punjab province of Pakistan. A regional lumped water balance model for the Rechna doab was developed and applied to estimate the long term a seasonal recharge to groundwater reservoir. For comparison, recharge was also estimated by a specific yield method from observed groundwater levels. A water balance study was conducted on seasonal basis (6 months) for a period of 31 years (1960–1990). Recharge estimated by the two methods was found to be in good agreement. The average value of net groundwater recharge during Kharif (April–September) season was found to be some 60 mm. No recharge occurred during Rabi (October–March), rather there was a depletion of the groundwater reservoir during the winter months. Long term average annual depletion of a groundwater reservoir was found to be greater than corresponding value of annual recharge. It was concluded that on a regional basis the groundwater reservoir was being depleted resulting in an average groundwater table of Rechna doab about 2.3 m fall over the 1960–1990 period.     

Decision support framework for assessment of non-point-source pollution of groundwater in large irrigation projects

Agriculture is the main non-point polluter of groundwater in irrigated areas as fertilizers and other agrochemicals are the main contaminants in the water that drains out of the root zone to recharge the aquifer. Nitrates from fertilizers, dissolved in percolation losses from rice fields, are the source of pollution considered. The concentration of nitrates in the percolated water depends on the distributed field water and nitrogen balances over the area. Its concentration in the groundwater depends on the total recharge, pollution loading, groundwater flow and solute transport within the aquifer. The development and application of a GIS based decision support framework that integrates field scale models of these processes for assessment of non-point-source pollution of groundwater in canal irrigation project areas is presented. The GIS is used for representing the spatial variations in input data over the area and map the output of the recharge and nitrogen balance models. The latter are used to provide the spatially distributed recharge and pollutant load inputs to the distributed groundwater flow and transport models, respectively. Alternate strategies for water and fertilizer use can be evaluated using this framework to ensure long-term sustainability of productive agriculture in large irrigation projects. The development and application of the framework is illustrated by taking a case study of a large canal irrigation system in India.     

基于地下水均衡的灌区合理渠井用水比例

基于地下水均衡模型,分析了陕西泾惠渠灌区不同频率典型年的地下水均衡状况,结果表明降水入渗补给、渠系渗漏及田间灌溉入渗补给、井灌回归补给是灌区地下水的主要补给源,占总补给量的85.99%~82.89%;而人工开采是灌区地下水的主要排泄途径,农灌地下水开采量、人畜和工业用水开采量占总排泄量的69.7%~72.86%.以2010年为现状基准年,2020年为规划水平年,结合灌区发展规划,设置了4种不同的灌区发展情景模式,运用所建立的地下水均衡模型计算了不同情景模式下的地下水位埋深,其变化范围为0~0.07 m;以地下水位变幅最小为准则,得出了不同频率典型年合理的渠井用水比例范围为1.49~1.53,从而为灌区地下水资源的高效持续利用提供了依据.     

Estimates of deep percolation beneath cotton in the Macquarie Valley

Expansion of flood irrigation in the Lower Macquarie Valley of New South Wales, Australia, has been suggested as a major cause of increased groundwater recharge. The aim of this study was to estimate deep percolation under irrigation on two soils in the valley, in order to infer groundwater recharge. Three methods were used; water balance, Darcian flux calculations and chloride mass balance modelling. Chloride mass balance modelling and the water balance method gave comparable estimates of deep percolation for each soil. Chloride mass balance modelling was identified as the most reliable method for estimating deep percolation, but only gave an estimate for the entire growing season. These estimates were 214 and 104 mm for a cracking clay and red brown earth, respectively. While there is potentially greater error associated with estimates obtained using the water balance, this technique provided estimates of deep percolation for each individual irrigation. Results of the water balance indicated that deep percolation was greatest early in the growing season, following initial wetting of the soil, when the crop had a low leaf area index. Results calculated using Darcian flux equations were highly variable, and were therefore unreliable estimates of deep percolation. Groundwater recharge, inferred from estimates of deep percolation determined with the chloride mass balance model, was used to estimate the magnitude of potential annual groundwater rise. The potential groundwater rise during the 1992/1993 cotton growing season ranged from 465 mm beneath the cracking clay to 267 mm under the red brown earth. It is suggested that groundwater recharge and rise were highly dependent on the weather conditions prevailing during this period. Received: 24 January 1997     

Standard precipitation index to track drought and assess impact of rainfall on watertables in irrigation areas

The Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) is employed to track drought and assess the impact of rainfall on shallow groundwater levels in three selected irrigation areas of the Murray-Darling Basin in Australia. The continuous SPI method can provide better means of quantifying rainfall variability and correlating it with changes of shallow watertable levels since it is based on continuous statistical functions comparing rainfall variability over the entire rainfall record. Drought analysis in the Australian irrigation areas using SPI indicates that the recent 2000–2006 drought is not the worst drought that has occurred in the recorded history, however if the current low rainfall pattern continues, it would be one of the most prolonged drought. The shallow groundwater fluctuations in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area show a very strong correlation with winter rainfall variation. The shallow piezometric levels in the Coleambally Irrigation Area show a weaker degree of correlation with the SPI due to local and regional groundwater dynamics and changes in rice water use. The groundwater levels in the Murray Irrigation Area show least correlation with the SPI, which may be attributed to improved irrigation management practices and complex nature of the groundwater recharge and discharge processes in this area. The overall results however show that the SPI correlates well with fluctuations in shallow ground water table in irrigation areas, and can also capture major drought patterns in Australia. The correlation of SPI with groundwater levels can be adopted for environmental reporting and used as a method of relating climatic impacts on watertables. Differences in piezometric response between years with similar winter and yearly SPI values can be attributed to improvement in irrigators’ management practices.     

Modelling the effect of canal bed elevation on seepage and water table rise in a sand box filled with loamy soil

The HYDRUS 2D finite difference two-dimensional water balance model was experimentally tested for transient and steady state seepage flux, mound height, and piezometric water level from soil surface as a function of time and horizontal distance from the centre of the canal (half width = 45 cm) under different canal bed elevations (20, 0, −40, −80 and −120 cm denoted as experiments D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5, respectively) and constant water head of 5 cm in a sand box (200 cm × 170 cm × 150 cm) filled with Hisar loam soil. Differences of means between measured and predicted values of infiltration flux, seepage flux and mound height as tested by paired t test were not found significant (P = 0.05). Seepage flux and mound height increased with increasing canal bed elevation. Phreatic level depths were everywhere much shallower than the piezometric water level depths in experiments D1, D2 and D3. However, in experiments D4 and D5 both phreatic and piezometric levels were at similar depths. The seepage parameters and mound height increased, and water table depth decreased, linearly with increasing canal bed elevation. Lowering the canal bed to 120 cm below the soil surface reduced the seepage rate to that of lined canals. The projections in a large flow domain also revealed that lowering the canal to −2 and −4 m below soil surface stabilized the water table at 2.5 and 4.5 m below soil surface, respectively. The practical implications are that open drains should be used for irrigation in areas underlain with a brackish groundwater aquifer and gravity canals may be allowed only where groundwater aquifer is of good quality and sub-surface water withdrawal is practiced for irrigation.     

Coastal salinization: A case history from Oman

Nearly half the agriculture in the Sultanate of Oman is concentrated along the coastal strip of the Batinah Plain. Arid tropical conditions and the absence of surface water create total dependence upon groundwater withdrawal from wells. The initial equilibrium groundwater conditions were upset, first by the transition from animal bailed to pumped wells, and subsequently by agricultural expansion and increasing urban and industrial water demands. The consequent effects of saline upconing and intrusion have been monitored in selected areas by repeated electrical conductivity surveys over a 9-year period. Despite an apparent excess of fresh water in the Wadi Semail catchment, locally severe salinization has occurred, mainly due to heterogeneous aquifer conditions, thereby detracting from the benefits of agricultural expansion. In the Wadi Rusayl catchment excess of extraction over recharge has resulted in severe salinization. The situation will probably deteriorate further unless rigorous conservation measures and enhanced aquifer recharge are implemented. In such sensitive coastal areas, even if a catchment water balance has ‘excess’ groundwater flow seaward, the local subcatchment response may involve a high salinization risk. Therefore if groundwater extraction is to be increased, the water balance alone may be an insufficient basis for water resources management. The effects upon ‘high risk’/interfluvial areas should also be taken into account.     

Modelling seawater intrusion in the Burdekin Delta Irrigation Area,North Queensland,Australia

The Burdekin Delta is a major irrigation area situated in the dry tropics of North Queensland. It is unique in that (i) it overlies shallow groundwater systems that serve as a major water supply for the irrigation of sugarcane, and (ii) it is adjacent to the world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. Water management practices include large recharge pits and surface spreading of water to assist with replenishment of the groundwater. This has been useful in maintaining groundwater levels to help control seawater intrusion. This technique, however, can be costly and ineffective in unconfined aquifer systems, which are subjected to large amounts of groundwater pumping for irrigation. There are more than 1800 production bores currently used for irrigation in the Burdekin Delta and the large volumes of water extracted have at times lowered the regional water tables and made it difficult to control seawater intrusion.     

北京市再生水灌区规划研究

以北京市大兴区和通州区境内的再生水灌区为研究对象,在分析灌区水文、气象、水资源开发利用与水量平衡状况、水利工程现状以及作物需水、灌溉水源等资料的基础上,采用系统工程的方法,通过构建多水源联合调度模型,统筹调度再生水、地表水、地下水等灌区内可利用水资源,使再生水灌区供水保证率得到显著提高,基本实现了地下水的采补平衡。提出了再生水灌区规划重点应围绕地表调蓄工程、田间配套工程、水网扩建工程以及灌区水资源管理信息化工程等4项内容。研究成果提升了再生水灌区规划的科学化水平,促进再生水资源高效合理利用。     

Drainable surplus assessment in irrigated agriculture: field application of the groundwater approach

To assess the drainable surplus of an irrigated area, a methodologybased on a groundwater-balance approach was developed and appliedin Schedule I-B of the Fourth Drainage Project near Faisalabad inPakistan. To determine the seasonal net recharge in this area, anumerical groundwater model was run in inverse mode. The data inputfor the model consisted of the geometry of the aquifer system, theaquifer parameters, and historical watertable elevations. The seasonalnet recharge values, calculated from the individual recharge anddischarge components, were tuned with the results of the inversemodelling. The advantage of such an integrated approach is that allthese components are linked. The design net recharge was estimatedfrom the historical net recharge of the wettest monsoon in the studyperiod. Its rainfall recharge values were then substituted for those of adesign monsoon. In this substitution procedure, the rainfall rechargemethodology and parameters were adopted from the tuning procedure.From this design net recharge, estimates could be made of the requireddrainable surplus, with and without drainage simulation.     

农业节水措施对地下水涵养的作用及其敏感性分析

以北京市大兴区为研究区,利用经校验的水平衡模型,通过调整灌溉满足率和灌溉水利用系数,探讨了不同农业节水措施对增加地下水补给量和减少地下水开采量的作用及其敏感性。结果表明,不同水文年型下,降低灌溉满足率及提高灌溉水利用系数都能减少地下水开采量,且降低灌溉满足率对减少地下净开采量的作用更为显著,有利于区域地下水涵养。在参数取值范围内,地下水净开采量对灌溉满足率的敏感性较大,而地下水补给量对灌溉水利用系数的敏感性较高。与提高灌溉水利用系数相比,对资源性缺水区域,采用先进节水技术,适度降低区域灌溉满足率,对促进水资源持续有效利用及加大地下水涵养具有更显著的效果。     

Estimating episodic recharge under different crop/pasture rotations in the Mallee region. Part 2. Recharge control by agronomic practices

Much environmental degradation, including salinity in the Mallee region of southeastern Australia, is associated with the loss of native vegetation and increased recharge. As a result, various agronomic practices have been proposed to reduce groundwater recharge. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of these practices on recharge, in particular episodic recharge. A biophysically based model (WAVES) was used to estimate recharge rates under some typical crop and pasture rotations in the region using long-term meteorological data. Results show that: (1) recharge just below the root zone was episodic and that just 10% of annual recharge events contributed over 85% of long-term totals. Management options such as incorporating lucerne and deep-rooted non-fallow rotations can reduce both, mean annual recharge, and the number of episodic events, but not eliminate recharge completely; (2) winter fallows increased soil-water storage and some of the additional water was stored in the lower portion of the root zone or below it. This can increase the risk of recharge to groundwater system; (3) changes in land management may take a considerable period of time (>10 years) to have any noticeable impacts on recharge; and (4) recharge under lucerne was ≈30% of that under medic pasture.     

基于两阶段优化配置模型的济南泉域补给区灌溉水源置换研究

目前全球地下水能保持持续平衡的地区日趋减少,不合理农业灌溉成为很多地区地下水系统恶化的主要因素之一。济南市历城区地下水用于农业灌溉是当地地下水位下降的重要因素,对于济南泉域、白泉泉域喷涌有直接影响。针对研究区农业用水特点和水生态文明建设水源置换的要求,建立两阶段优化配置模型,将灌溉用水配置分为2个阶段,阶段一,以生态、节水和经济效益为目标,引入单位脉冲响应系数约束地下水利用量,实现区域地下水与地表水的合理配置;阶段二,以作物最大产量为目标,进行作物生育阶段水量配置和种植结构调整。结果表明,采取两阶段优化算法与用水结构调整后,可以有效减少地下水利用量,2011—2014年平均地表水与地下水用水结构由原来的3∶7调整为5.2∶4.8,较好地实现地下水源置换目标,同时地下水位计算值较实际年分别增加0.31、1.12、1.55和3.38 m,对保证泉域持续喷涌具有重要作用。     

青岛市生态环境需水量研究

根据生态用水的共享性原则提出了青岛市区域生态环境需水量概念模型,利用水文学方法计算了以植被生态需水量、河流环境需水量、地下水回灌需水量之和代表的青岛市区域生态环境需水量,分析了区域生态环境需水量供需平衡,认为区域水资源供给与适宜的生态环境需水量之间处于脆弱的平衡状态.降水、径流等水资源季节分配的不均衡和工业、城市大量用水使生态环境需水在一定的时空条件下得不到满足.应采取加强水资源利用管理、污水资源化、用好入境客水、保护地下水、开展海水综合利用等节水措施充分满足生态环境需水.     

黑龙江省克山县地下水循环及动态分析

介绍了黑龙江省克山县的地理位置、地形地貌及地下水赋存条件,通过分析影响研究区地下水循环的主要因素,说明地下水的补给、径流及排泄条件。据研究区内近10年地下水位观测数据,绘制2000—2011年地下水水位历时过程线图,说明研究区地下水位近年来的变化情况。