Infiltration-recharge through wadi beds in arid regions

Abstract

Groundwater recharge in arid regions is intermittent and usually occurs as a result of flood flow transmission losses in dry wadi channels. Hydrograph characteristics play a dominant role in determining the amount of channel abstraction in relation to the width of the wetted perimeter and the time of inundation, and the subsequent groundwater recharge. Large variations in the magnitude of channel losses result mainly from the diversity in inflow volumes. The magnitude of groundwater recharge in relation to bed transmission losses is dependent on flood volume and duration, soil moisture content and physical soil profile characteristics. Runoff volume and duration are the dominant factors influencing the cumulative infiltrated volume and recharge to shallow water tables. Taking into consideration the influence of various hydrological and channel characteristics, several regression equations are suggested to estimate the transmission losses from a wadi bed and the groundwater recharge.