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Characterizing surface water and groundwater interaction for sustainable water resources management in southwestern Ohio

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Abstract

The interaction between surface water and groundwater (SW–GW) influences the quantity and quality of water. This study was conducted in the Great Miami River Basin (GMRB), southwestern Ohio where groundwater is the source of drinking water for 2.3 million people. We used stable water isotopes, hydro-geo-chemistry, and water level data to provide vital information on seasonal and spatial variation of the degree of SW–GW interaction. This combined assessment suggests that SW–GW interaction is mainly controlled by local geology, groundwater depth, the proximity of groundwater wells to rivers, and seasonal precipitation distribution. In the basin, the hydrochemistry of the surface water and groundwater is generally similar (Calcium–Magnesium–Bicarbonate) and likely influenced by the geology of the region. Using the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water quality index (CCME WQI), we ranked the drinking water quality of surface water as fair to good (WQI, 71–88%) and groundwater quality as good to excellent (QWI, 84–100%). The findings from this study demonstrate variable SW–GW interaction in different parts of the GMRB and suggest the need to adapt customized sustainable water management plans that protect both water resources.

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Data and material used in this study will be available upon request by contacting the corresponding author.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Miami Conservancy District (MCD) and Oakwood Water Plant for access to groundwater monitoring wells. We are particularly grateful to Krystal Lacy from MCD and Gary Dursch from Oakwood who helped us with groundwater sampling throughout the study period. We also would like to thank the Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences for providing the KECK Fellowship for undergraduate research support as well as Sigma Xi Research Society for their research grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, University of Dayton, 300 College Park, Dayton, OH, 45469-2364, USA

    Caroline Johnstone & Zelalem K. Bedaso

  2. Miami Conservancy District, 38 E. Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, USA

    Mike Ekberg

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  1. Caroline Johnstone
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  2. Zelalem K. Bedaso
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ZB and CJ designed the project. All authors contributed equally in data collection, analysis, and the compilation of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Zelalem K. Bedaso.

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Johnstone, C., Bedaso, Z.K. & Ekberg, M. Characterizing surface water and groundwater interaction for sustainable water resources management in southwestern Ohio. Sustain. Water Resour. Manag. 8, 10 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-021-00598-6

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