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University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Mapping Mean Annual Recharge To Ground Water In Nebraska


Abstract

Long-term mean annual base recharge to ground water in Nebraska was estimated with the help of a water balance and an automated base flow separation technique. Base recharge is less than or equal to actual recharge. The difference is the part of evapotranspiration that originates directly from ground water. Evapotranspiration was calculated by the WREVAP model at the Solar and Meteorological Surface Observation Network (SAMSON) sites. Base recharge to ground water was derived by the product of estimated long-term mean annual runoff (the difference between precipitation and evapotranspiration) and the base flow index (BFI) obtained at the United States Geological Survey's gaging stations in Nebraska. Utilizing base recharge estimates, mean annual actual recharge to ground water was estimated by the repeated application of a water-balance method. This approach uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) layers of land cover, elevation of land and ground-water surfaces, base recharge and the recharge potential in combination with monthly climatic data. Mapping was achieved by GIS and geostatistics. The estimates do not include the potential effect of crop irrigation on recharge.

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Authors

Jozsef Szilagyi (Primary Contact)
School of Natural Resources
625 Hardin Hall
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0996
Voice: 402-472-9667
E-mail jszilagyi1@unl.edu

F. Edwin Harvey
School of Natural Resources
603 Hardin Hall
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0996
Voice: 402-472-8237
E-mail: feharvey1@unl.edu

Jerry F. Ayers
School of Natural Resources
229C Hardin Hall
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska
68583-0982
Voice: 402-472-7545
E-mail: jayers1@unl.edu