Aquifer Response to Stream-Stage Fluctuations: Field Tests and Analytical Solution for a Case Study of the Yangtze River in Wuhan, China

Abstract

In this paper, field hydrological monitoring tests and an analytical solution for the aquifer response (i.e., the groundwater head) to stream-stage fluctuations are presented through a case study of the Yangtze River in Wuhan, China. A sinusoidal equation for the stream water level over time is proposed and is verified by the monitoring results. Based on the classical 1-D solution of ground water flow equations, a new flow model was proposed to analyze the confined aquifer response to stream-stage fluctuations. The groundwater head of the confined aquifer can then be calculated by embedding the proposed sinusoidal equation of the stream-stage fluctuation into the new flow model. Field monitoring data of the three hydrological years from 2017 to 2019 were compiled to evaluate the proposed model. The results show that the predicted groundwater head of the confined aquifer matches well with the monitoring data. The prediction error of the proposed model (about 8%) is much lower than that of the previous model (about 26%). This paper presents an improved analytical model with a satisfying capability to predict the response of the groundwater head of the confined aquifer to stream-stage fluctuation. This model can be applied into groundwater flow models (such as MODFLOW, FEFLOW, etc.). The results of this study provide a valuable hydrological resource for underground practical engineering in the riverside area, especially in the first terrace of the Yangtze River, and for the dewatering design of a foundation pit in a riverside area.