Estimating of Groundwater Recharge in North, Central, and South Basin of Erbil

Abstract

Groundwater recharge is the most important element in water planning and management in Erbil basin. The rapid grow in population and development causes to increase their requirement to water demand and consumption. The most important steps in aquifer system is accurate estimation of groundwater recharge. There are many approaches to estimate the recharge. In this study, it is focused on water level method then compare with calculated recharge by empirical equations. The method provides a point value of the recharge calculated from the water level rise in a well multiplied by the specific yield (Sy) of the aquifer. Based on the assumptions that the water-level rise is caused by recharge arriving at the groundwater table (GWT), and also assume that the Sy is constant. The main aim of this study is to estimate the amount of change in groundwater levels over time and the recharge calculation for the study area. The study concluded that the change in groundwater levels between years (2021-2022) is (-0.09, -7.74 and -17.42) m for the Kapran, central and Bashtepa sub-basins respectively. Similarly, the difference between water levels in (2004-2022) are (-32.72, -50.87 and -54.58) m for the same mentioned sub-basins as well. It means that the average decreases during (2021-2022) is (-8.42) m, however, the average change in water levels in all three sub-basins in (2022) with (2004) declined by amount of (-46.06) m. The continuous lowering groundwater levels will cause to damage the aquifer system and drought problems in Erbil basin.