Testing a knowledge-based approach for inferring spatio-temporal characteristics of groundwater in the Australian...

Groundwater spatio-temporal characteristics are important information for groundwater development and management. However, such information is usually insufficient or even unavailable in many regions around the world due to insufficient or even lack of in-situ data such as from boreholes. Recently, a knowledge-based approach was proposed to infer 'where' and 'when' to find groundwater using Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) as an example for data-deficient regions. In this knowledge-based approach, groundwater model and inversion analysis of groundwater impact factors are used to infer groundwater storage potential and recharge timing. In the LVB's case, only 10 borehole data were used to test the spatio-temporal behaviours of groundwater, which are insufficient. In this contribution, therefore, using the Australian State of Victoria as an example, with over 15,000 boreholes data, the performance of the same knowledge-based approach is further tested in a well-controlled area. The results indicate that the knowledge-based approach is able to correctly infer regions with large groundwater storage potential suitable for extraction. The recharge timing of groundwater is also correctly indicated as the results show consistency with the borehole data. This provides further evidence of the reliability of the knowledge-based approach for inferring spatio-temporal characteristics of groundwater.