Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2007GA155B

Quantifying the Precipitation-Stream-Aquifer System Response in the Lower Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin

Institute: Georgia
Year Established: 2007 Start Date: 2007-03-01 End Date: 2008-02-29
Total Federal Funds: $18,036 Total Non-Federal Funds: $36,160

Principal Investigators: Jian Luo

Abstract: Groundwater is the major water source in the lower Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River basin in southwestern Georgia. The long-term sustainability of groundwater resources in the basin has been threatened by the increased demand of groundwater withdrawals in recent decades and drought conditions. The proposed research project aims to conduct quantitative analyses to improve our understanding of the correlations in the precipitation-stream-aquifer system in the basin, which will ultimately help develop proactive and rational monitoring and management plans to ensure the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources. Multivariate geostatistical methods based on variogram models are proposed to investigate the joint spatial and temporal correlations and variations of groundwater level, streamflow, precipitation, and groundwater quality. The variogram models that will be applied include stationary and nonstationary models, and separable and nonseparable models. Characteristic space scales and timescales or fractal characteristics will be identified. Specific Kriging systems with respect to identified variogram models will then be used for spatio-temporal data mapping and forecasting. Expected results and benefits of the proposed research project will include: (1) quantitative descriptions of the spatio-temporal correlations in the precipitation-stream-aquifer system; (2) characteristic spatial scales and timescales for sampling design and data interpretation; (3) predictions of groundwater levels and streamflow in different scenarios; and (4) guidelines and tools, such as software, that can assist in the decision-making for water resources management in southwestern Georgia.