Modeling surface water-groundwater interaction in arid and semi-arid regions with intensive agriculture. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tian, Yong; Zheng, Yi; Wu, Bin; Wu, Xin; Liu, Jie; Zheng, Chunmiao
• Is Part Of: Environmental modelling & software. Volume 63(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 170
• Page End: 184
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Surface water-groundwater interaction -- Integrated modeling -- GSFLOW -- SWMM -- Heihe River Basin; Environmental monitoring -- Computer programs -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Computer simulation -- Periodicals; Digital computer simulation -- Periodicals; Computer software -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Computer Simulation -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Logiciels -- Périodiques; Écologie -- Simulation, Méthodes de -- Périodiques; Simulation par ordinateur -- Périodiques; Logiciels -- Périodiques; Computer software; Digital computer simulation; Ecology -- Computer simulation; Environmental monitoring -- Computer programs; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.70015118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.10.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-8152

Abstract

Abstract: In semi-arid and arid areas with intensive agriculture, surface water-groundwater (SW-GW) interaction and agricultural water use are two critical and closely interrelated hydrological processes. However, the impact of agricultural water use on the hydrologic cycle has been rarely explored by integrated SW-GW modeling, especially in large basins. This study coupled the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), which is able to simulate highly engineered flow systems, with the Coupled Ground-Water and Surface-Water Flow Model (GSFLOW). The new model was applied to study the hydrologic cycle of the Zhangye Basin, northwest China, a typical arid to semi-arid area with significant irrigation. After the successful calibration, the model produced a holistic view of the hydrological cycle impact by the agricultural water use, and generated insights into the spatial and temporal patterns of the SW-GW interaction in the study area. Different water resources management scenarios were also evaluated via the modeling. The results showed that if the irrigation demand continuous to increase, the current management strategy would lead to acceleration of the groundwater depletion, and therefore introduce ecological problems to this basin. Overall, this study demonstrated the applicability of the new model and its value to the water resources management in arid and semi-arid areas. Highlights: Integrated surface water-groundwater modeling coupled with hydraulic simulation. A systematic view on how agricultural water use would impact the water cycle. Insights from the modeling into data collection, model improvement and management.