Author(s): U. Mohrlok

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Groundwater flow; Groundwater recharge; Numerical modelling; Flood plain hydrology

Abstract: The ecosystems in river valleys are mainly affected by the hydraulic conditions in the flood plains including the groundwater dynamics. The prediction of the changes of the groundwater dynamics caused by human activities, for instance river dike relocation, requires numerical modelling techniques. In order to use the numerical model for predictive purpose a physically based approach was developed quantifying groundwater recharge from the intermittently flooded river plains by a leakage approach that considers the soil hydraulic properties. For the investigation area in the Elbe river valley north of Magdeburg, East Germany, a groundwater flow model was calibrated successfully. This model described the observed groundwater dynamics for a 14 years time period very well. By detailed analyses the importance of infiltration from the flood plains on the groundwater dynamics could be shown. Statistical parameters were derived from the simulated times series at each node of the model grid to describe spatial differences in groundwater dynamics. The same parameters were used to define the changes of the groundwater dynamics for a simulation in the case of river dike relocation. Considering the land surface elevation the same analyses can be used to determine the changes in groundwater depth with a spatial distribution. Hence, those areas with significant impact on the ecosystems by river dike relocation could be defined.

DOI:

Year: 2003