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Capturing Flow-weighted Water and Suspended Particulates from Agricultural Canals During Drainage Events
Published on: November 7, 2017
Predicting water table response to rainfall events, central Florida
J F van Gaalen1, S Kruse, W B Lafrenz
1Department of Natural Sciences, St. Petersburg College, 9200 113th St. North, Seminole, FL 33772, USA. vangaalen.joe@spcollege.edu
Ground Water
|July 28, 2012
Summary
Water table rise after rain depends on many factors. This study shows that including water table depth and rainfall amount improves water table rise predictions by over 30%.
Area of Science:
- Hydrology
- Hydrogeology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Water table response to rainfall is complex, influenced by soil properties, vegetation, and rainfall characteristics.
- Current prediction models often simplify this relationship, assuming linearity between rainfall and water table rise.
- Understanding these dynamics is crucial for water resource management and flood prediction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between rainfall event characteristics and water table response.
- To determine how antecedent water table level (stage) and rainfall event size influence the response/rainfall ratio.
- To improve the accuracy of water table rise forecasting models.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 10 years of water level and rainfall data from 11 sites in central Florida (wetlands and uplands).
- Identification of individual rainfall events and corresponding water table responses.
- Calculation and analysis of the response/rainfall ratio based on antecedent stage and event size.
Main Results:
- Incorporating stage and event size improved water table rise forecasting by over 30%.
- Water table responsiveness was lowest during small and large rainfall events and at lower stages.
- A relatively uniform minimum rainfall threshold induced a rise when the water table was 50-100 cm below the surface, increasing with greater depth.
- Response/rainfall ratios were higher in wetlands than uplands, linked to specific yield and lateral flow.
Conclusions:
- Antecedent water table stage and rainfall event size are critical factors for accurate water table rise prediction.
- Unsaturated zone flow processes likely explain observed depth-dependent rainfall thresholds.
- Site-specific characteristics, such as wetland vs. upland, significantly influence rainfall-response dynamics.
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