What is groundwater capture?

What is groundwater capture?

The term capture refers to changes in the flow rates into and out of head-dependent boundaries of an aquifer in response to pumping. Streamflow depletion can consist of both reductions in the outflow rates of groundwater discharge from an aquifer and increases in the inflow rates of streamflow to an aquifer.

What is the capture zone?

A “capture zone” refers to the three-dimensional region that contributes the ground water extracted by one or more wells or drains.

What is a recharge zone How does water get into aquifers?

Recharge areas are where aquifers take in water; discharge areas are where groundwater flows to the land surface. Water moves from higher-elevation areas of recharge to lower-elevation areas of discharge through the saturated zone.

What is a well capture zone?

The well capture zone within an aquifer is defined as the region from which water is withdrawn by one or more pumping wells [5]. After pumping is initiated, the capture zone grows with time and reaches its maximum size at steady state, which defines the capture envelope [6].

How do you calculate capture zone?

It is calculated by subtracting water level under pumping conditions from the water level without pumping. Cone of Depression is the region where drawdown due to pumping is observed. Capture Zone is the region that contributes the ground water extracted by the extraction well(s).

How do you capture groundwater?

Water in aquifers is brought to the surface naturally through a spring or can be discharged into lakes and streams. Groundwater can also be extracted through a well drilled into the aquifer. A well is a pipe in the ground that fills with groundwater. This water can be brought to the surface by a pump.

How fast do aquifers recharge?

Depending on its permeability, aquifers can gain water at a rate of 50 feet per year to 50 inches per century. They have both recharge and discharge zones. A recharge zone usually occurs at a high elevation where rain, snowmelt, lake or river water seeps into the ground to replenish the aquifer.

How long does it take for a fully drained aquifer to recharge?

If the aquifer goes dry, more than $20 billion worth of food and fiber will vanish from the world’s markets. And scientists say it will take natural processes 6,000 years to refill the reservoir.

What is a capture well?

A capture zone is an area around a drinking water supply well that contributes water to the well. To protect the water quality of drinking water supply wells, potential sources of contamination to the wells are prohibited from being located within the capture zone.

What is the method used to recharge the groundwater?

Processes. Groundwater is recharged naturally by rain and snow melt and to a smaller extent by surface water (rivers and lakes). Recharge may be impeded somewhat by human activities including paving, development, or logging.

Do we drink groundwater?

Groundwater supplies drinking water for 51% of the total U.S. population and 99% of the rural population. Groundwater helps grow our food. 64% of groundwater is used for irrigation to grow crops.

What effects an aquifers recharge zone?

The area in which water enters an aquifer . Recharge rates in an aquifer depend upon the amount of local precipitation, the ability of surface deposits to allow water to filter through, and the rate at which water moves through the aquifer. …