what causes changes in the groundwater level over the course of a year

by Prof. Celia Muller 9 min read

What causes groundwater to change over time?

Pumping water out of the ground faster than it is replenished over the long-term causes similar problems. The volume of groundwater in storage is decreasing in many areas of the United States in response to pumping. Groundwater depletion is primarily caused by sustained groundwater pumping.

What is one cause of groundwater levels changing?

Climate change and other future developments, such as land use change and population growth, can influence not only the availability of groundwater resources for drinking water, but also the drinking water demand (Kumar et al.

What increases the level of groundwater?

By increasing rain water conditions ( more plantations, protection of watersheds and others) and water conservation. Recharge ground water by increasing rainwater harvesting and infiltration capacity.

What causes changes in the level of the water table?

Fluctuations in the water table level are caused by changes in precipitation between seasons and years. During late winter and spring, when snow melts and precipitation is high, the water table rises. There is a lag, however, between when precipitation infiltrates the saturated zone and when the water table rises.

What affects groundwater?

Droughts, seasonal variations in rainfall, and pumping affect the height of the under groundwater levels. If a well is pumped at a faster rate than the aquifer around it is recharged by precipitation or other underground flow, then water levels in the well can be lowered.

How does weather affect groundwater?

In terms of the hydrological cycle, climate change can affect the amounts of soil infiltration, deeper percolation, and hence groundwater recharge. Also, rising temperature increases evaporative demand over land8, which limits the amount of water to replenish groundwater.

Does rain increase groundwater level?

It also reduces soil moisture. Highly variable rainfall, especially it comes in bursts punctuated by long dry spells, can decrease the natural recharge of water reduce ground water levels.

How does the groundwater level go down?

Groundwater depletion most commonly occurs because of the frequent pumping of water from the ground. We pump the water more quickly than it can renew itself, leading to a dangerous shortage in the groundwater supply.

What is groundwater level?

Groundwater level is a term that is used in a relatively loose way, normally referring to the level, either below ground or above ordnance datum, at which soil or rock is saturated. This is also referred to as the water table and represents the top of the saturated zone. Above the water table lies the unsaturated zone.

What are two factors that would alter the amount of groundwater in an area?

The availability of groundwater as a water source depends largely upon surface and subsurface geology as well as climate. The porosity and permeability of a geologic formation control its ability to hold and transmit water.

What could have caused a decrease in the amount of water?

Expert-verified answer Unnecessary use of water by humans. Wasting water in various industries. Pollution decreases the amount of drinking water. Deforestation also decreases the amount of water.