Abstract
Groundwater abstraction has resulted in spring flow and groundwater base-flow declines in the Hillsborough River system of central Florida, USA. These declines have resulted in reduction of inflows to the Tampa city reservoir as well as likely adverse environmental effects on riverine and estuarine biota. Causes evaluated for the declines include effects of groundwater development, reduced rainfall, and land alterations. The karstic, heterogeneic nature of the area renders groundwater flow modeling an ineffective method for overall evaluation. Therefore, the evaluation of these declines is accomplished through the systematic use of parametric and nonparametric statistical techniques. These techniques include contingency table analysis, linear regression, Kendall-Theil and Mann-Kendall trend analysis, locally weighted regression, Pearson correlation, Kendall-tau correlation, Spearman correlation, runs test, Student’s t test, and the Kruskall-Wallis test. Data evaluated include groundwater withdrawals, rainfall, base flow, streamflow, stream stage, spring flow, and groundwater levels. Additional methods used include double mass analysis, base flow separation, a low-stage trend analysis, data visualization techniques, and water level change maps. The methodical application of these analyses and techniques to the hydrologic and climatic data yields the conclusion that the primary factor causing the spring flow and base-flow declines is lowered groundwater levels caused by over-abstraction.
Résumé
L’exploitation des eaux souterraines a induit la baisse du régime des sources et du débit d’étiage lié aux nappes, dans le système de la rivière de la Hillsborough, au centre de la Floride. Ces baisses ont eu pour résultats la réduction de l’afflux vers le réservoir de la ville de Tampa, ainsi que des effets environnementaux sur les biota des rives et de l’estuaire. Les causes de ces baisses - pompages, diminution des pluies, dégradation du sol – ont été estimées. La nature karstique et hétérogène de la zone rend la modélisation inapte à une évaluation globale. Dés lors, ces baisses sont évaluées grâce à l’application systématique de techniques statistiques paramétriques et non paramétriques. Ces techniques incluent des analyses par table de contingence, régression linéaire, tendances de Kendall-Theill et Mann-Khendall, Régression Polynômiale locale, corrélation de Pearson, corrélation de Kendall-tau, corrélation de Spearman, Runs test, test de Student, et test de Kruskall-Wallis. Les données évaluées sont les rabattements, les pluies, les débits d’étiage, autres débits, débits des sources et le niveau des nappes. D’autres méthodes utilisées incluent l’analyse par double masse, le découpage des hydrographes d’étiage, l’analyse des niveaux de base, différentes techniques de visualisation des données et enfin différentes cartes de niveau des eaux. L’application méthodologique de ces analyses et de ces techniques aux données climatiques et hydrologiques, conduit à la conclusion que le facteur primaire causant les baisses des débits et des niveaux, est la baisse des niveaux des nappes induit pas la sur-exploitation.
Resumen
La extacción de agua subterránea ha ocasionado descensos en el flujo de base de agua subterránea y en el flujo de manantial en el sistema del Río Hillsborough en el centro de Florida. Estos descensos han ocasionado la reducción de la entrada de flujos en el reservorio de la ciudad de Tampa así como también efectos ambientales negativos en la biota de los estuarios y ríos. Las causas que se han evaluado para explicar los descensos incluye el desarrollo de aguas subterráneas, reducción en la cantidad de lluvia, y alteraciones en el terreno. La naturaleza kárstica y heterogénea del área hace que el modelizado de flujo de agua subterránea sea un método poco efectivo para la evaluación. Por lo tanto, la evaluación de los descensos se ha llevado a cabo mediante el uso sistemático de técnicas estadísticas paramétricas y no paramétricas. Estas técnicas incluye el análisis de tabla de contingencia, regresión lineal, análisis de tendencias Mann-Kendall y Theil-Kendall, regresión pesada localmente, correlación Pearson, correlación tau-Kendall, correlación Spearman, pruebas de corrida, prueba t-Student, y la prueba Kruskall-Wallis. Los datos evaluados incluye extracciones de agua subterránea, flujo de base, escorrentía, niveles de río, flujo de manantial, y niveles de agua subterránea. Los métodos adicionales utilizados incluye el análisis de doble masa, la separación de flujo base, análisis de tendencia de etapa baja, técnicas de visualización de datos, y mapas de cambio de niveles de agua. La aplicación metódica de estos analisis y técnicas a los datos climáticos e hidrológicos conduce a la conclusión de que el principal factor causante de la disminución del flujo base y del flujo del manantial es el descenso de niveles de agua subterránea ocasionados por sobreexplotación.
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Acknowledgements
The authors are indebted to Dr. Mark Stewart, Dr. Frederick Paillet, and Dr. Keith Halford for their helpful comments and suggestions. The comments and assistance of the Journal’s Associate Editor Dr. Sarah Kruse and Managing Editor Dr. Mara-Theresia Schafmeister are also very much appreciated.
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Weber, K.A., Perry, R.G. Groundwater abstraction impacts on spring flow and base flow in the Hillsborough River Basin, Florida, USA. Hydrogeol J 14, 1252–1264 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-006-0040-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-006-0040-5