Abstract
To assess groundwater recharge, this study provided a composite method combining the recession-curve-displacement method and water-table fluctuation method. First, the initial recharge reference value was determined using the water-table fluctuation method. The corresponding groundwater discharge was then determined from the recharge reference value using the recession-curve-displacement method. Furthermore, the recession segment of the match between groundwater discharge and streamflow was computed. The recharge reference value was repeatedly adjusted to achieve a good fit with the recession segment for groundwater discharge and streamflow, thereby attaining the final groundwater recharge using the proposed method. Finally, the groundwater recharge of the Lanyang Creek basin in Taiwan was estimated as a case study. A comparison of recession-curve-displacement method and proposed composite method are presented. Estimation results show that the number of recharge events, recharge timing of these events, groundwater recharge events that satisfy recession theory, and range of transmissivity can be obtained using the proposed composite method. Comparison results demonstrate that the number of groundwater recharge events obtained with the composite method was greater than that acquired with the recession-curvedisplacement method. However, the annual recharge and seasonal recharge obtained with the recession-curve-displacement method and composite method were close.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andrade, R., Muralidharan, D., and Rangarajan, R., 2005, Pulse responses of an unconfined granite aquifer to precipitation-a recharge evaluation through transient water-level fluctuation. Current Science, 89, 677–681.
Arnold, J. G., Allen, P. M., Muttiah, R., and Bernhardt, G., 1995, Automated base flow separation and recession analysis techniques. Ground Water, 33, 1010–1018.
Beklet, E.B., Salama, R.B., and Commander, D.P., 2006, Impact of change in vegetation cover on groundwater recharge to a phreatic aquifer in Western Australia: assessment of several recharge estimation techniques, Australian Journal of Earth Sciences. 53, 905–917.
Central Geological Survey, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan, 2010, http://datawarehouse.moeacgs.gov.tw/geo/index/GISSearch/MSDefault.htm
Chen, W.P. and Lee, C.H., 2003, Estimating ground-water recharge from streamflow records. Environmental Geology, 44, 257–265.
Chen, W.P., Lee, C.H., and Chen, J.F., 1999, Estimating groundwater recharge from streamflow hydrographs in the area of Cho-Shui Shi. Journal of Taiwan Water Conservancy, 47, 55–65. (In Chinese)
Cooper, H.H. and Jacob, C.E., 1946, A generalized graphical method for evaluation formation constants and summarizing well field history. Transactions, American Geophysical Union, 27, 526–534
Daniel, J.F., 1976, Estimating groundwater evapotranspiration from streamflow records. Water Resources Research, 12, 360–364.
Gerhart, J.M., 1986, Ground-water recharge and its effects on Nitrate Concentration Beneath a Manured Field Site in Pennsylvania. Ground Water, 24, 483–489.
Glover, R.E., 1964, Ground-water movement. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Engineering Monograph Series, 31, 31–34.
Halford, K.J. and Mayer, G.C., 2000, Problems Associated with estimating ground water discharge and recharge from stream-discharge record. Ground Water, 38, 331–342.
Hall, D.W. and Risser, D.W., 1993, Effects of agricultural nutrient management on nitrogen fate and transport in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Water Resources Bulletin, 29, 55–76.
Healy, R.W. and Cook, P.G., 2002, Using groundwater levels to estimate recharge. Hydrogeology Journal, 10, 91–109.
Huang, Y.P., Kung, W.J., and Lee, C.H., 2011, Estimating aquifer transmissivity in a basin based on stream hydrograph records using an analytical approach. Environmental Earth Science, 63, 461–468.
Ingersoll, L.R., Zobel, O.J., and Ingersoll, A.C., 1948, Heat conduction with engineering and geological applications. McGraw-Hill, New York, 278 p.
Meinzer, O.E., 1923, The occurrence of groundwater in the United States with a discussion of principles. U.S. Geological Survey, Water-Supply Paper, 489, 321 p.
Nathan, R.J. and McMahon, T.A., 1990, Evaluation of automated techniques for base flow and recession analyses. Water Resources Research, 26, 1465–1473.
Posavec, K., Bačani, A., and Nakić, Z., 2006, A Visual Basic Spreadsheet Macro for Recession Curve Analysis. Ground Water, 44, 764–767.
Rorabaugh, M.I. and Simons, W.D., 1966, Exploration of methods relating ground water to surface water, Columbia River Basin-Second phase. U.S. Geological Survey, Open-File Report, 62 p.
Rorabaugh, M.I., 1964, Estimating changes in bank storage and ground-water contribution to streamflow. International Association of Scientific Hydrology, 63, 432–441.
Rutledge, A.T., 1993, Computer programs for describing the recession of ground-water recharge and discharge from streamflow records. U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Investigations Report, 93-4121, 45 p.
Rutledge, A.T., 1997, Model-estimated ground-water recharge and hydrograph of ground-water discharge to a stream. U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Investigations Report, 97-4253, 29 p.
Rutledge, A.T., 2000, Considerations for use of the RORA program to estimate ground-water recharge from streamflow records. U.S. Geological Survey, Open-File Report, 00-156, 44 p.
Rutledge, A.T., 2005, The Appropriate use of the Rorabaugh model to estimate ground water recharge. Ground Water, 43, 292–293.
Rutledge, A.T., 2007, Update on the use of the RORA program for recharge estimation. Ground Water, 45, 374–382.
Rutledge, A.T. and Daniel III, C.C., 1994, Testing an automated method to estimate ground-water recharge from streamflow records. Ground Water, 32, 180–189.
Water Resources Agency, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan, 2010, http://www.wra.gov.tw/
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kung, WJ., Yeh, HF., Lin, HI. et al. An approach to evaluate groundwater recharge from streamflow and groundwater records. Geosci J 17, 353–362 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12303-013-0027-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12303-013-0027-x