Jove
Visualize
Contact Us

Related Experiment Videos

Interbasin underflow between closed Altiplano basins in Chile.

Errol L Montgomery1, Michael J Rosko, Santiago O Castro

  • 1Errol L Montgomery & Associates Inc., 1550 E. Prince Rd., Tucson, AZ 85719, USA. emontgomery@elmontgomery.com

Ground Water
|July 23, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Groundwater flows between basins beneath a mountain divide in Chile, moving 200-240 L/sec. Understanding this interbasin groundwater movement is crucial for sustainable water management in the arid Altiplano.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same journal

Long-Term Discharge Records from United States and European Karst Springs: Data Limitations in Trend Analysis.

Ground water·2026
Same journal

PSO-Optimized Ensemble Learning with SHAP for Seasonal Groundwater Quality Prediction.

Ground water·2026
Same journal

Computing Flow-Field Distortion Coefficients from Well-Construction and Formation Properties.

Ground water·2026
Same journal

Leaky Sewers Hydraulically Disconnect from Groundwater: A Proof-of-Concept.

Ground water·2026
Same journal

Python-Based Model Emulation Workflows with PEST.

Ground water·2026
Same journal

Hydrogeology in the Age of AI and Climate Change.

Ground water·2026
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Area of Science:

  • * Hydrogeology
  • * Environmental Science
  • * Water Resource Management

Background:

  • * The Altiplano region of northern Chile features internally drained basins separated by mountainous divides.
  • * Salar de Michincha and Salar de Coposa are examples of such basins, characterized by salt-encrusted flats and saline lakes as primary evaporative discharge zones.
  • * Surface water drainage boundaries in this region do not always align with groundwater drainage boundaries.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To demonstrate and quantify interbasin groundwater movement beneath a surface water divide.
  • * To highlight the significance of interbasin groundwater flow in regional water budgets.
  • * To inform sustainable groundwater development strategies in an arid environment facing increasing water demands.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • * Analysis of hydrological data to identify and quantify subsurface water flow.
  • * Geological and topographical assessments to understand groundwater pathways.
  • * Water budget calculations incorporating interbasin groundwater transfer.

Main Results:

  • * Significant interbasin groundwater movement (200-240 L/sec) was detected as underflow beneath the mountainous divide separating Salar de Michincha and Salar de Coposa.
  • * Groundwater drainage boundaries were found to differ from surface water drainage boundaries in the study area.
  • * Interbasin groundwater movement is an important, often unrecognized, component of groundwater budgets in selected Altiplano basins.

Conclusions:

  • * Interbasin groundwater flow is a critical factor in the hydrogeology of the Chilean Altiplano.
  • * Quantifying this underflow is essential for accurate water resource assessment and sustainable management.
  • * Recognizing and managing interbasin groundwater movement is vital for addressing water scarcity and development pressures in the region.