Effectiveness of check dam and percolation pond with percolation wells for artificial groundwater recharge using groundwater models

Abstract

Population growth and higher living standards have resulted in ever-increasing demand for water. For the present study natural recharge was computed from a water balance model and daily water level fluctuations were measured to study the increase in water level due to artificial recharge. Numerical models were developed using MODFLOW to analyze the feasibility of different artificial recharge arrangements such as check dam and percolation pond with percolation wells individually and in combination and evaluate the effectiveness of the structures in recharging the aquifer. The maximum increase in water level was found to be 3.46 m, 2.54 m and 4.7 m respectively for the check dam, percolation pond with three percolation wells and combined structure arrangement after 2 years of artificial recharge. The zone of influence was obtained as 400 m, 600 m and 500 m respectively for the check dam, percolation pond and combined structure system. Water level fluctuations also proved the same. Water level increase obtained from the natural recharge study was only of the order of 0.2 m. Artificial recharge is found to be very effective for sustainable development of water resources and the percolation pond was found to be the most appropriate structure for groundwater recharge for the study area.

Hydrologic Assessment of Check Dam Performances in Semi-Arid Areas: A Case Study From Gujarat, India

“…Another limitation is that these assessments are based on existing structures and cannot easily be used for designing new structures. Abraham and Mohan (2019) used a 3-dimensional model developed in MODFLOW to evaluate the potential recharge from MAR interventions in Tamil Nadu at the structure-scale. The significant amount of information and data required to prepare such numerical models limits their extensive use in estimating potential recharge for hypothetical cases.…”

Impact of Watershed Interventions on Biophysical and Ecosystem Services in Mettur Catchment of Tamil Nadu, India

“…Percolation pond was the most suitable for recharge of groundwater and could increase the ground water level of 2.54 m after 2 years (Abraham and Mohan, 2019). One or two percolation ponds have filled thrice in a year.…”

Groundwater Level Prediction through GMS Software – Case Study of Karvan Area, Iran

“…The changes in natural recharge are assessed in the arid region of Ilam by applying MODFLOW software, where the optimal conditions for the region is estimated by changing the mean annual precipitation rate, reducing temperature and improving agricultural conditions (Ghazavi, Ebrahimi 2019). Well water harvesting and climate change is assessed by combining the MODFLOW software with groundwater conditions in a region with various climate and hydrogeology changes, which yields optimal results for better water management in the area (Abraham, Mohan 2019).…”