Estimating Groundwater Pumping for Irrigation: A Method Comparison

• DOI: 10.1111/gwat.13336
• Publication Date: 2023-06-24T16:08:13Z
• Authors: Andrea E. Brookfield; Samuel Zipper; Anthony D. Kendall; Hoori Ajami; Jillian M. Deines
• Keywords: Groundwater model

Abstract Effective groundwater management is critical to future environmental, ecological, and social sustainability requires accurate estimates of withdrawals. Unfortunately, these are not readily available in most areas due physical, regulatory, challenges. Here, we compare four different approaches for estimating withdrawals agricultural irrigation. We apply methods a groundwater‐irrigated region the state Kansas, USA, where high‐quality withdrawal data evaluation. The represent broad spectrum approaches: (1) hydrologically‐based Water Table Fluctuation method (WTFM); (2) demand‐based SALUS crop model; (3) based on satellite‐derived evapotranspiration (ET) from OpenET; (4) landscape hydrology model which integrates hydrologic‐ approaches. applicability each approach varies availability, spatial temporal resolution, accuracy predictions. In general, our results indicate that all reasonably estimate region, however, type amount required computational requirements vary among For example, WTFM levels, specific yield, recharge data, whereas adequate information about type, land use, weather. This variability highlights difficulty identifying what how much, necessary reasonable estimate, suggests availability should drive choice approach. Overall, findings will help practitioners evaluate strengths weaknesses select appropriate their application.