Groundwater is a critical water resource in the UK and globally. Its effective management and protection depend on robust hydrogeological judgement supported by scientific calculations that quantify the water budget and simulate groundwater flow. Recharge is the primary driver of hydrological models and a parameter that must be defined at the very start of any modelling exercise.
Recharge estimation methods vary widely and are influenced by climate, land cover, soil properties, and soil saturation conditions. Limited data availability and the difficulty of validating recharge estimates remain major challenges. Global data sources are key if national data are not available and the estimated recharge and soil moisture datasets unlock opportunities not only for groundwater resource assessment but also for tackling geohazard-related problems.
This Foundation for Water Research (FWR) webinar explores the methods used to calculate recharge and the conceptual frameworks that underpin them. It also highlights possible approaches for validating recharge estimates, for example the applications of geophysical and soil moisture monitoring techniques. The presenter demonstrates how recharge and soil moisture information can inform groundwater resource management and support geohazard investigations using case studies from the UK and India.
This session offers a valuable opportunity to deepen your understanding of recharge estimation approaches used in hydrological modelling, their limitations, and the directions in which the field is evolving.
Header image credit: © rohawk via Adobe Stock
