Accurate estimation of groundwater recharge is extremely important for proper management of groundwater systems

Water Budget Method

Accounting of water movement into and out of, and storage change within, some control volume. Water budget equation. WBM can be used to estimate both diffuse and focused recharge. WBM represent the largest class of techniques for estimating recharge.

Modeling Method (MM)

MM can estimate diffuse and focused recharge. Model provide important insight into the functioning of hydrologic system by identifying factors that influence recharge.

Method Based on Surface Water Data

This method normally being used at humid and sub humid region due to easy access to the data.

Groundwater Level Data

Richard W. Healy Peter G. Cook Hydrogeology Journal (2002) 10:91109

The water-table fluctuation method may be the most widely used technique for estimating recharge. It requires knowledge of specific yield and changes in water levels over time. Advantages of this approach include its simplicity and an insensitivity to the mechanism by which water moves through the unsaturated zone. This is likely due to the abundance of available groundwater-level data and the simplicity of estimating recharge rates from temporal fluctuations or spatial patterns of groundwater levels. Applicable only on unconfined aquifer.

Physical Method: Unsaturated Zone

Physical Method: Saturated Zone

Chemical Tracer Method

Heat Tracer Method

Ground Water Storage

Ground Water Storage = Annual Fluctuation of gw table x Involved area of aquifer x Specific Yield E.g: Doon valley gravels in India involved an area of 388 km2 with recorded annual fluctuation of water table of 6.4 m. The pumping test result from the site showed that the specific yield of the aquifer was 15%. Estimate ground water storage for Doon Valley aquifer. Groundwater storage = (6.4 m) x (388 km2 x 10002) x (0.15) = 37 248 x 104 m3 = 37 248 ha-m

Groundwater Investigations

Hydrometeorological Study Geophysical Survey

i. ii.

Surface Down-the-hole

Ariel Photographic survey

i. ii. iii. iv.

Black & White Colour Infra Red Radar Imagery

Geological Mapping Test Drilling, Sampling & Logging Pumping Test

Hydrogeological Study
i. ii. iii.

Tracer Technique Geochemical and geothermal survey Systems analysis, mathematical modelling and computer application for ground water basin management. Water Balance Study Intensive management and water management

Objective of Hydrogeological Study

Define recharge and discharge area Define major water bearing units Define location, extent, and interrelationship of aquifers Establishphysical parameters of aquifers like, T, S & Sy Estimate total subsurface storage capacity Establish geologic factors which affect quality of gw Arrve at the location, probable depth of drilling and yield from the tube well