Water Tables
Articles tagged with Water Tables
Drinking water near coasts is under threat worldwide
A recent study reveals that over-abstraction of groundwater and rising sea levels are causing significant changes in coastal groundwater levels globally. The study, which analyzed data from approximately 480,000 wells, found that more than 20% of coastal areas showed significant changes in groundwater levels between 1990 and 2024.
The land is sinking fast in Arizona's Willcox Basin
The Willcox Basin in Arizona is experiencing rapid subsidence due to excessive groundwater pumping for irrigation, with some areas sinking at rates of up to six inches per year. State management efforts, such as declaring an Active Management Area, may help slow subsidence and improve water levels.
New study reveals how ancient groundwater is linked to past ice sheets and sea-level changes
A recent study in Nature Geoscience offers important new insights into the hidden role of ancient groundwater beneath the ocean floor. Researchers found that fossil groundwater changed its composition after the retreat of the Fennoscandian ice sheet, becoming vulnerable to mixing with seawater.
Scientists will use a $1M grant to build a support system addressing sea level rise and flooding in South Florida
A University of Florida team will create a decision-support system to help local leaders make science-based choices on land use, infrastructure, and climate adaptation. The project aims to reduce flood risk and protect groundwater using nature-based strategies.
How lakes connect to groundwater critical for resilience to climate change, research finds
New research reveals that lakes relying on groundwater connections maintain stable water levels and buffer climate change impacts. Shallow lakes are vulnerable to rising temperatures and reduced rainfall due to high evaporation rates.
New model sheds light on groundwater declines by linking irrigation decisions and groundwater use
A new analysis finds that sustainable rates of groundwater withdrawal were surpassed 20 years prior to declining groundwater levels being generally recognized. Limiting groundwater pumping rates by nearly half can stabilize groundwater conditions, eliminating drying up of non-irrigation wells and stabilizing environmental flows.
It could take over 40 years for PFAs to leave groundwater
Researchers found PFAS in groundwater up to 43 years old and concentrations that exceed health advisory levels. The study suggests it could take over 40 years for PFAS to leave contaminated groundwater, highlighting the need for continued cleanup efforts and long-term monitoring.
Parched Central Valley farms depend on Sierras for groundwater
A new study reveals that the Sierra Nevadas are a significant source of groundwater for California's Central Valley aquifer, with some areas relying almost entirely on it. The research found that the groundwater is mixed in age, with some water being as young as 4 years old and others dating back over 40,000 years.
Hidden threat: Global underground infrastructure vulnerable to sea-level rise
A recent study by University of Hawaii at Manoa researchers highlights the hidden threat of global underground infrastructure vulnerability to sea-level rise. Shallow and saltier groundwater exacerbates corrosion and failure of critical systems such as sewer lines, roadways, and building foundations in cities worldwide.
Global groundwater depletion is accelerating, but is not inevitable
Research reveals that groundwater levels are dropping in 71% of aquifers globally, with accelerating declines in drier climates. However, the study also highlights successful interventions, such as water recharge and demand reduction strategies, which can help stabilize or recover aquifer systems.
Rivers may not recover from drought for years
Researchers have developed a new method to measure the duration and severity of hydrological droughts in streams and rivers, which can persist for up to 3.5 years after drought conditions end. The study found that baseflow droughts are strongly tied to groundwater levels and can impact water management and ecosystem services.
Re-wetting is key for boosting CO2 storage in southern peatlands
Re-wetting southern peatlands along the US south Atlantic coast could significantly boost carbon storage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A new Duke University study reveals that maintaining water levels between 20-30 cm below the local water table can increase CO2 storage by up to 90%.
Why are polders an important part of China’s water heritage?
Researchers argue that polders are an important part of China's water heritage, reflecting the country's long history of water management. Over 2,500 years, polders have evolved in response to changing societal needs, adapting to agricultural modernisation and urban encroachment.
Researchers propose a more effective method to predict floods
A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...
Scientists call for better long-term groundwater controls in Australia
A study led by Flinders University has identified 18 challenges in Australia's sustainable use of groundwater, citing over-extraction and unregulated pumping as major contributors. The report calls for improved regional-scale volumetric water extraction limits and better stakeholder communications to address these challenges.
Climate crisis and anthropic pressure are destabilizing the Pantanal
Researchers found that summer rainfall and autumn-winter dry days are increasing, leading to fluvial discharge and sediment load in rainy seasons and water deficits in dry seasons. The Pantanal's complex geomorphology, including mega-fans and self-affine landforms, makes it susceptible to anthropic interference.
Why the Salton Sea is turning into toxic dust
Research identifies Colorado River flow decline as main cause of Salton Sea's shrinking, leading to increased salt and chemical concentrations. The study highlights the need for a watershed-centric approach to mitigate the environmental risks and health impacts of the Salton Sea's decline.
Climate change from the ground up: Researchers explore sea level rise impact on building foundations
A new study examines the impact of sea level rise on building foundations and proposes a method for inspection and repair to lower costs. The researchers estimate that the annual repair cost for foundations in Mobile, Alabama, could total $90 million by 2100.
The historical roots of a contemporary groundwater crisis
A new study reveals how large-scale groundwater exploitation by local farmers led to the desiccation of sandy soils and decimation of wildlife populations in Spain's Doñana National Park. The lack of effective oversight created an economically and environmentally unsustainable situation, destroying a protected natural space.
Trees are biggest methane ‘vents’ in wetland areas – even when they’re dry
Research reveals that tree root systems are a significant source of methane emissions in wetland areas, including the Amazon basin. The study suggests that existing models may be underestimating methane emissions by neglecting the role of trees.
Septic system waste pervasive throughout Florida’s Indian River lagoon
A study by FAU Harbor Branch reveals that even properly functioning septic systems contribute to nitrogen pollution in the Indian River Lagoon. Groundwater samples showed higher dissolved nutrient concentrations than surface waters, indicating contaminated groundwater as a major source of nutrient loading.
Depletion of Iran's aquifers
Groundwater extraction in Iran has declined by an average of 18% due to physical limits, while deep well extraction has increased, leading to further depletion. The study reveals widespread aquifer depletion and salinization across all 30 sub-basins, posing significant risks to the country's water resources.
Gauging groundwater
A comprehensive study finds that many global groundwater wells are at risk of running dry due to declining water levels. The researchers analyzed construction records and monitoring well data from 40 countries, finding that 6-20% of wells may dry up if water levels continue to decline.
Sea-level rise linked to higher water tables along California coast
Researchers found an increased threat to populated areas from rising water tables and the possibility of flooding in unexpected inland areas. The study indicates that rising sea levels could push freshwater closer to the surface, putting infrastructure at coastal seaports and national airports at risk.
Solving the mysteries of water and air underground
Researchers found that water rises up to 9 inches in the capillary fringe, controlling important functions like contaminant breakdown and carbon storage. The team also discovered that microbes behave differently depending on oxygen levels, requiring ideal conditions for decomposition.
Groundwater pumping has significantly reduced US stream flows
A new study finds that groundwater pumping has contributed significantly to US stream flow declines, affecting regions like the Colorado and Mississippi River basins. The research suggests that sustainable water management is crucial to mitigate these impacts and ensure long-term water security.
Study finds climate determines shapes of river basins
Researchers found that climate plays a significant role in shaping river basins, with dry climates resulting in long and thin basins regardless of size. In contrast, larger humid basins are longer and thinner, while smaller humid basins are wider and shorter.
Loss of 350 miles of Great Plains streams causing changes in aquatic food web
The loss of stream habitat in the Great Plains region is changing the fish community, with several species declining or disappearing. The reduction of groundwater sources has led to a transformation of the fish community, shifting from large, free-flowing rivers to small streams with isolated habitats.
New England's glacial upland soils provide major groundwater storage reservoir
A recent study by hydrologist David Boutt found that upland aquifer systems in New England store about 70% of the region's active and dynamic groundwater. Thin glacial sediments, traditionally neglected as a significant storage reservoir, play an important role in storing water for recharge to alluvial aquifers and base flow to streams.
Cracking the problem of river growth
A new study at MIT applies the fracture mechanics theory of local symmetry to predict river network evolution. The research found that rivers grow in a direction consistent with symmetry, driven by groundwater pressure and water table height.
This week from AGU: Water tables, 3D rock formations, wind speed maps & hydrothermal vents
Researchers have discovered a way to manage high water tables to boost crop yields, while 3D maps reveal the formation of the Hangai Dome in Mongolia. New satellite radar technology provides precise wind speed maps for coastal communities to prepare for wind-related hazards.
Colorado River Delta greener after engineered pulse of water
A recent engineered pulse of water to the lower Colorado River Delta resulted in significant improvements, including a 23% increase in riparian zone vegetation's greenness. The event also led to germinated new willows and cottonwoods, which can grow quickly enough to keep up with receding water tables.
New insights into managing our water resources
Researchers have discovered that some water catchments exhibit a finite resilience to wet and dry years, switching between two steady states. This finding allows for better prioritization of investment and informed decision-making in water resourcing.
'Groundwater inundation' doubles previous predictions of flooding with future sea level rise
A study by University of Hawaii researchers found that future sea level rise will double previous predictions of flooding, with low-lying coastal areas vulnerable to 'groundwater inundation.' Groundwater levels near the surface threaten coastal communities more than previously thought.
Debated: Wave-Cut or Weathering or Both?
A study suggests that subaerial chemical weathering plays a more significant role in forming rock platforms along coasts and rivers than previously thought. The researchers found that the platforms correspond to the saprock-bedrock boundary, remain within the zone of modern water table, and are weakened by wet/dry cycling.
Global warming predicted to hasten carbon release from peat bogs
A new analysis suggests that warmer temperatures could cause significant loss of carbon from shallow and deep peat bogs, with potential losses ranging from 40% to 86%.
Distant mountains influence river levels 50 years later
A computer model reveals that rainfall in New Mexico's mountains can recharge the Rio Grande River's water table after a 50-year lag. This finding has significant implications for sustainable aquifer management and river management planning.
Distant mountains influence river levels 50 years later
Research suggests that rainfall and snowfall in distant mountains can significantly impact river levels years later, highlighting the importance of water table recharge. This phenomenon has significant implications for development in semi-arid regions, emphasizing the need for long-term planning to ensure sustainability.
Ground temperature aids in measuring water levels
A study published in Vadose Zone Journal reveals that temperature measurements can accurately determine the rate of water movement towards the groundwater table. This information can help optimize irrigation practices and ensure the long-term sustainability of ground-water resources in the region.
Mountain-front reservoirs control cycles of Great Salt Lake
Researchers suggest that mountain-front reservoirs store water, smoothing out seasonal fluctuations and leaving only long-term cycles. This process is influenced by the fluctuating position of the water table relative to stream levels.
Earthquake Could Cause Flooding Of Yucca Mountain Repository, Study Says
A study published in Environmental Geology suggests that a magnitude 5 or 6 earthquake could raise the water table by up to 750 feet at the Yucca Mountain storage site, leading to potential flooding. The researchers used computer modeling based on geological data and historical quakes to make their predictions.