Dynamic coevolution of baseflow and multiscale groundwater flow system during prolonged droughts

Chao Wang; Jesus D. Gomez-Velez; John L. Wilson

doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2022.127657

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Dynamic coevolution of baseflow and multiscale groundwater flow system during prolonged droughts

Journal article

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Dynamic coevolution of baseflow and multiscale groundwater flow system during prolonged droughts

Chao Wang, Jesus D. Gomez-Velez and John L. Wilson

Journal of hydrology (Amsterdam), Vol.609(C), p.127657

06/01/2022

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2022.127657

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Abstract

Field and numerical studies suggest that baseflow is composed of waters from a spectrum of groundwater flow paths termed the Groundwater Flow System (GWFS) - from shallow hillslope contributions to watershed-scale deep circulation originating in headwaters and discharging into lowland rivers. Here, we explore the evolution of the GWFS under prolonged droughts to understand its dynamics and multiscale nature, and to elucidate its role in baseflow generation and recession at the watershed scale. We consider three drought scenarios of varying severity and simulate groundwater flow in a 2-D cross-section of an idealized watershed with deep permeable bedrock, tracking the evolution of flow paths, baseflow, and residence times during the recession process. We find that baseflow generation at different drainage stages, and within different subwatersheds, is influenced distinctly by flow paths of different scales, depending on the relative strength of the flow paths and the position of the subwatersheds relative to the recharge/discharge zones of the deeper watershed-scale groundwater circulation. Despite having the same local relief, geology, and climate, baseflow from each sub watershed has a distinct recession behavior and time-dependent residence time distribution. Also, the hydraulic and transport characteristics of baseflow generation co-evolve and are strongly affected by the connection state of the water table to subwatersheds. These findings suggest that asynchrony and dissimilarity of baseflow generation from hillslopes under the impact of the watershed-scale groundwater flow, and interactions with local-scale and intermediate-scale groundwater flow, must be taken into account when interpreting baseflow recession data and building conceptual baseflow models at the watershed scale.

Engineering

Geology

Physical Sciences

Technology

Engineering, Civil

Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Science & Technology

Water Resources

Details

Title: Subtitle: Dynamic coevolution of baseflow and multiscale groundwater flow system during prolonged droughts
Creators: Chao Wang - New Mex Inst Min & Technol, Dept Earth & Environm Sci, Hydrol Program, Socorro, NM 87801 USA
Jesus D. Gomez-Velez - Vanderbilt University
John L. Wilson - New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of hydrology (Amsterdam), Vol.609(C), p.127657
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2022.127657
ISSN: 0022-1694
eISSN: 1879-2707
Publisher: Elsevier
Number of pages: 18
Grant note: EAR-1830172; OIA-2020814; EAR-1015100; CNH-1010516; EAR-0814449 / National Science Foundation; National Science Foundation (NSF) DE-FC01-06EW07053 / Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP) - U.S. Department of Energy; United States Department of Energy (DOE) New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute Faculty Water Research Grant U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, Environmental System Science (ESS) program through River Corridor Scientific Focus Area project at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; United States Department of Energy (DOE)
Language: English
Date published: 06/01/2022
Academic Unit: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Record Identifier: 9984962533302771

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