The Ogallala Aquifer is a major aquifer underlying parts of eight states in the

Question

The Ogallala Aquifer is a major aquifer underlying parts of eight states in the high plains of US. The Aquifer has a surface area of 450,000 km^2. Extensive pumping of groundwater from that aquifer during 1960-1980 has led groundwater level declines Assume the pumping was at the rate of 2,300 million m^3/day, the natural discharge from the aquifer was 100 million m3/day, and the recharge (including irrigation return flow) to the aquifer was 1,400 million m^3/day. Spatially averaged evapotranspiration was 44 cm/yr and precipitation was 52 cm/yr. a. Write the hydrologic balance equation for this aquifer. Define all symbols used. b. Determine the average annual decrease in groundwater level for the aquifer. Make sure to convert all fluxes to m^3/year Assume a year always has 365 days. and box your answer. Report your answer in m to two decimal places.

Explanation / Answer

A) The water balance equation for the aquifer can be used todescribe the flow of the water in and out of the system.

to calculate this there is an equation which is

P= R+E+ deltaS

where P is precipitation, E is evapotranspiration, R is stream flow and Delta S is change in storage.

B) to calculate the annual decrease level of the ground water there is an equation

dH= total input- total output/Al

where,dH is water level, Al is total surface area,

by this calculation during the years 1960-1980 the declination of water level is total 1.50 feets

so there will be 0.075 feet feet declination per year ( 365 days ) would be 0.0228mtrs.

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