Formulating the spring discharge-function for the recession period by analyzing its recession curve: A case study of the Ranichauri spring (India)

Abstract

The Greater Himalayan region is witnessing a changing rainfall pattern from the last few decades. Low-intensity longer-duration rainfall events have now been replaced with intense and shorter-duration events that are further responsible for the reduced recharging of the spring catchments. Consequently, the natural springs are either drying up or becoming seasonal. Prediction of spring water availability during the recession period is the key to its proper management. The spring discharge-rate can be forecasted by studying its behaviour for the past recession periods. Expressing recession curve in mathematical terms requires its quantitative analyses in priori. It was found that the fitting of recession-curve (of the Ranichauri spring under study) with two exponential components gives accurate results. The maximum value of exponential coefficient (i.e., 0.0206) represents the major contribution to drainage from the spring-catchment's portion with highest permeability, whereas the minimum value (i.e., 0.0016) represents the major contribution to spring discharge from the portion with lowest permeability. Analyses show that the permeability of the porous medium is responsible for discharge rate and its capacity is responsible for perennial or seasonal behaviour of the spring. Using the mean values of the recession parameters, the master discharge-function of the spring for the recession period is formulated for calculating its discharge-rate during the recession period of any year. Apart from the year 2001, its predictions are in close agreement with the actually monitored data. The efficiency of the formulated master discharge function of the spring for the recession period has been evaluated equal to 0.965 using the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency criterion.

Water in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

“…Due to factors related to anthropogenic impacts (such as deforestation, grazing, exploitative land use resulting in soil erosion, etc.) and climate change (e.g., highly variable rainfall), springs fed during the monsoon by groundwater or underground aquifers are reported to be drying up and threatening whole ways of life for local communities in most parts of the mid-hills of the HKH (Vashisht and Bam 2013;Mukherji et al 2016). Springs have been particularly affected by the depletion of shallow water table because of reduced infiltration due to crust formation and by increased intensity of rainfall.…”

“…Springs have been particularly affected by the depletion of shallow water table because of reduced infiltration due to crust formation and by increased intensity of rainfall. They are further impacted by rapid socio-economic growth, demographic changes, and infrastructural developments, such as dams and road building (Mahamuni and Kulkarni 2012;Vashisht and Bam 2013;Mukherji et al 2016). Due to scarce observation data, the status of most springs in this region is still unknown.…”

An overview of classifications and modern research of springs in the world and in Croatia

“…Spring hydrographs, i.e. recession curves, are frequently analyzed (Kovács and Perrochet, 2008;Vashisht and Bam, 2013;Giacopetti et al, 2017). By analyzing the hydrological characteristics of a spring, certain aquifer properties can be determined (Birk and Hergarten, 2012;Fiorillo, 2014;Mostowik et al, 2016).…”

Research Progress on Changes in Land Use and Land Cover in the Western Himalayas (India) and Effects on Ecosystem Services

“…The conversion of forested areas for agricultural expansion has resulted in increased surface runoff [66][67][68]. Natural springs are drying up completely, becoming seasonal, or experiencing reduced discharge [69][70][71][72][73], primarily due to land use changes that have led to decreased groundwater recharge. With the current rate of increase in mean annual temperature in various parts of the Himalayas triggered by climate change and local-level changes in land use (e.g., the conversion of forest area into built-up land), an upward movement of plants is expected [74][75][76][77][78][79][80].…”