Assessment of River-Floodplain Aquifer Interactions

Alden, Andrew; Munster, C. L.

doi:10.2113/gseegeosci.iii.4.537

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…Therefore, a decrease or increase in the river water level directly impacts the depth to groundwater level in these zones. Similar results on the direct impact of the river water level on the depth to groundwater level in floodplains have been observed by References [90][91][92][93]. Soil moisture dynamics in the dry and short rainy seasons is independent of the influence from the depth to groundwater level at the riparian and middle zones of the floodplain, as indicated by both the modeled and measured time series.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Modeling Spatial Soil Water Dynamics in a Tropical Floodplain, East Africa

Gabiri

Burghof

Diekkrüger

et al. 2018

Water

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Analyzing the spatial and temporal distribution of soil moisture is critical for ecohydrological processes and for sustainable water management studies in wetlands. The characterization of soil moisture dynamics and its influencing factors in agriculturally used wetlands pose a challenge in data-scarce regions such as East Africa. High resolution and good-quality time series soil moisture data are rarely available and gaps are frequent due to measurement constraints and device malfunctioning. Soil water models that integrate meteorological conditions and soil water storage may significantly overcome limitations due to data gaps at a point scale. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the Hydrus-1D model would adequately simulate soil water dynamics at different hydrological zones of a tropical floodplain in Tanzania, to determine controlling factors for wet and dry periods and to assess soil water availability. The zones of the Kilombero floodplain were segmented as riparian, middle, and fringe along a defined transect. The model was satisfactorily calibrated (coefficient of determination; R 2 = 0.54-0.92, root mean square error; RMSE = 0.02-0.11) on a plot scale using measured soil moisture content at soil depths of 10, 20, 30, and 40 cm. Satisfying statistical measures (R 2 = 0.36-0.89, RMSE = 0.03-0.13) were obtained when calibrations for one plot were validated with measured soil moisture for another plot within the same hydrological zone. Results show the transferability of the calibrated Hydrus-1D model to predict soil moisture for other plots with similar hydrological conditions. Soil water storage increased towards the riparian zone, at 262.8 mm/a while actual evapotranspiration was highest (1043.9 mm/a) at the fringe. Overbank flow, precipitation, and groundwater control soil moisture dynamics at the riparian and middle zone, while at the fringe zone, rainfall and lateral flow from mountains control soil moisture during the long rainy seasons. In the dry and short rainy seasons, rainfall, soil properties, and atmospheric demands control soil moisture dynamics at the riparian and middle zone. In addition to these factors, depths to groundwater level control soil moisture variability at the fringe zone. Our results support a better understanding of groundwater-soil water interaction, and provide references for wetland conservation and sustainable agricultural water management.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Modeling Spatial Soil Water Dynamics in a Tropical Floodplain, East Africa

Gabiri

Burghof

Diekkrüger

et al. 2018

Water

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“…As a prerequisite, the flow and transport mechanisms in such systems must be known. Of special interest is the quantification of the hydrological connection between stream and floodplain aquifer and the different proportions of ground water and surface water existing within the floodplain (Alden and Munster 1997). This can be crucial-even on a conceptual level-because the hydrology of such a system is often complex and reliable information on the water flow dynamics is seldom available.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Noble Gas and Major Element Constraints on the Water Dynamics in an Alpine Floodplain

et al. 2001

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The hydrogeological system of an ecologically sensitive alpine floodplain in the Valle di Blenio, Switzerland, was investigated using hydrochemical and 3 H-3 He dating methods. Water samples from six wells and from different surface locations were analyzed. The analysis of the concentrations of major ions in conjunction with age determination by the 3 H-3 He-method allowed the main hydrological properties of the system to be consistently characterized. Two geochemically distinct water zones can be distinguished: Ca-SO 4 -dominated water from the main river and Ca-HCO 3 -dominated floodplain water. The floodplain water component characterizes the whole floodplain including the surficial hillslope drainage system. Within the ground water samples, two spatially and temporally different types of water can be determined. A younger (age < 1.5 years), less mineralized water is found in the upper part of the aquifer during the summer season. The underlying aquifer zone contains older and more highly mineralized water. However, the general hydrochemical characterization of both types of ground water is similar. In winter, the water ages increase with decreasing ground water levels. Because precipitation is stored temporarily in the snow cover, the contribution of the younger near-surface ground water decreases, resulting in higher apparent water ages and higher mineralization in the upper zone of the aquifer. Water exchange between the main river and the ground water system is limited to ground water exfiltration from the shallow aquifer zone, whereas the hydrochemical separation of the deeper aquifer zone indicates the isolation of the deeper ground water from the main river.

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“…Earlier work provided limited information about the location of clay lenses (e.g. Alden & Munster, 1997; Chakka & Munster, 1997; Munster et al, 1996; Wrobleski, 1996). Hence, in CM3, discrete clay lenses, arranged in shapes and sizes as suggested by the above cited studies, were included to test their potential as a barrier.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The water table within the BRAA is mostly under unconfined conditions lying below the top clay layer (Wrobleski, 1996), at a depth ∽8.5 to 9 m below the natural ground surface; however, this level changes during prolonged dry or wet periods. Diffuse recharge was not considered, as Alden and Munster (1997) suggested that the principal source of recharge at this site is river flow into the aquifer during high river stages.…”

Section: Study Area and Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

Testing alternative conceptual models of river‐aquifer connectivity and their impacts on baseflow and river recharge processes

Mehmood

Miller

Knappett

2022

Hydrological Processes

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This study simulates the dynamics of exchange fluxes between Brazos River Alluvium Aquifer and the Brazos River, TX. Seven conceptual models for the connection between the river and the aquifer were simulated in HYDRUS 2D using small-scale, high-resolution transects across the river. These models assumed varying aquifer lithology and river incision depths and considered processes such as riverbed clogging and seepage face flows. Observed river stage values were used to specify a time-variable head boundary, and the simulations were tested against observed hydraulic heads in two nearby monitoring wells. The nearly 1.5 years of sub-hourly measurements spanned both flood and drought periods. The best-fit conceptual model supported a hypothesized hydraulic disconnection between the subsurface near the river and the wider alluvial aquifer. In contrast to the assumptions of previous studies, these data were more consistent with the presence of a thin, low-K structure (such as an abandoned paleochannel) rather than riverbed clogging. Across the range of models evaluated, the average net exchange between the river and the aquifer ranged from 0.016 to 12.4 m 3 /d/m. Most of the variability was attributed to baseflow across the riverbed, which ranged from 0.18 to 13.1 m 3 /d/m depending on the model. The ranges of exchange fluxes across the seepage face (0.004 to 2.37 m 3 / d/m) and recharge from the river to the aquifer (0.1 to 5.63 m 3 /d/m) were significant, but not as influential. Based on these values, the choice of conceptual model could have a profound impact on the accuracy of numerical models used for river management. Extrapolated across the entire reach, this uncertainty would amount to ±83 m 3 /s of discharge, equivalent to 34% of the river's discharge near its outlet.

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Assessment of River-Floodplain Aquifer Interactions

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

Modeling Spatial Soil Water Dynamics in a Tropical Floodplain, East Africa

Modeling Spatial Soil Water Dynamics in a Tropical Floodplain, East Africa

Noble Gas and Major Element Constraints on the Water Dynamics in an Alpine Floodplain

Testing alternative conceptual models of river‐aquifer connectivity and their impacts on baseflow and river recharge processes

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