Relation of streams, lakes, and wetlands to groundwater flow systems

Hydrogeology Journal
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Abstract

 Surface-water bodies are integral parts of groundwater flow systems. Groundwater interacts with surface water in nearly all landscapes, ranging from small streams, lakes, and wetlands in headwater areas to major river valleys and seacoasts. Although it generally is assumed that topographically high areas are groundwater recharge areas and topographically low areas are groundwater discharge areas, this is true primarily for regional flow systems. The superposition of local flow systems associated with surface-water bodies on this regional framework results in complex interactions between groundwater and surface water in all landscapes, regardless of regional topographic position. Hydrologic processes associated with the surface-water bodies themselves, such as seasonally high surface-water levels and evaporation and transpiration of groundwater from around the perimeter of surface-water bodies, are a major cause of the complex and seasonally dynamic groundwater flow fields associated with surface water. These processes have been documented at research sites in glacial, dune, coastal, mantled karst, and riverine terrains.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Relation of streams, lakes, and wetlands to groundwater flow systems
Series title Hydrogeology Journal
DOI 10.1007/s100400050178
Volume 7
Issue 1
Year Published 1999
Language English
Publisher Springer
Description 18 p.
First page 28
Last page 45
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