Artificial Recharge in Multiaquifers of a Mountainous Watershed

Abstract

In the layered aquifers of a mountainous watershed, multiple finite aquifer extents open to an overlying surface soil layer. In such a hydro-geological setup, interflow characteristics have a scope for research, in view of the fact that the normal scheme of rainfall-runoff modeling does not cater to interdependent flow situations. To study the interflow characteristics in the above multiaquifer setup of a mountainous watershed, a study area in the Maharashtra state of India has been examined. The three-dimensional groundwater flow algorithm MODFLOW has been used to develop the base case model, incorporating observed subsurface flow conditions. The objective is to study the behavior of artificial recharge techniques, such as percolation tanks and recharge wells, in an unusual flow condition of a mountainous watershed. Results of the analysis indicate that the interflow followed an integrated and continuous hydraulic gradient across multiaquifers. Finite aquifer extents supplement the recharge and discharge processes. These findings could be useful in planning artificial recharge schemes.