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Computer estimates of natural recharge from soil moisture data, High Plains of Colorado

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dc.contributor.authorLongenbaugh, R. A., (Robert A.), author
dc.contributor.authorKrishnamurthi, Narayanaswamy, author
dc.contributor.authorEnvironmental Resources Center, Colorado State University, publisher
dc.coverage.spatialColorado
dc.date.accessioned2007-01-03T04:53:44Z
dc.date.available2007-01-03T04:53:44Z
dc.date.issued1975
dc.descriptionSubmitted to Office of Water Research Technology, U.S. Department of Interior by R. A. Longenbaugh and N. Krishnamurthi.
dc.descriptionJuly 1975.
dc.description.abstractThe research described briefly in this completion report has shown that transient soil moisture data observed at vertical positions at one station can be used as descriptors of natural groundwater recharge to evaluate its time distribution at that station. Hydraulic properties of the soil and initial and boundary conditions must be known before applying the mathematical model developed in this study to other locations. The model developed in this study assumed that the moisture content of unsaturated soil below the zone of influence of evapotranspiration varies in the linear range of the soil water characteristic curve. The parameters of the model characterize the hydraulic properties of the soil and their spatial variability. They were estimated by a linear statistical model. The mathematical model was solved by a Finite-Difference technique adopting the Crank-Nicholson scheme. The model was verified with an analytical solution and the agreement for the case of homogeneous soil was very good. Field data collected during a drainage cycle were used to verify the model for non-homogeneous soil. The verification was also found to be satisfactory in the latter case. The model was then applied to estimate recharge rates from data collected by the USGS and ARS at the Great Plains Field Experiment Station near Akron, Colorado. Estimated monthly recharge rates varied from a low of 0.02 inches to a high of 1.42 inches. Comparison of the Akron recharge estimates with other data indicates the values were acceptable. An average annual recharge of 4 inches was computed for the Akron site. This result was compatible with the observed rise in the local water table of 3 feet during the same time period.
dc.description.sponsorshipOWRT Project no. A-016 COLO; supported in part by funds provided by the United States Department of Interior, Office of Water Research Technology, as authorized by the Water Resources Research Act of 1964, and pursuant to Grant Agreement nos. 14-31-0001-3806, 14-31-0001-4006, and 14-31-0001-5006.
dc.format.mediumreports
dc.identifierCR_64.pdf
dc.identifierCCRICWRI100083CRPT
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/2616
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relationwwdl
dc.relation.ispartofCompletion Reports
dc.relation.ispartofCompletion report series (Colorado State University. Environmental Resources Center), no. 64
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subject.lcshGroundwater flow -- Mathematical models
dc.subject.lcshGroundwater flow -- Data processing
dc.subject.lcshSoil moisture
dc.subject.lcshSoils -- Colorado
dc.subject.lcshGroundwater flow -- Colorado
dc.titleComputer estimates of natural recharge from soil moisture data, High Plains of Colorado
dc.typeText
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