THE GROUNDWATER RECHARGE FUNCTION OF SMALL WETLANDS IN THE SEMI-ARID NORTHERN PRAIRIES

Small wetlands in the semi-arid northern prairie region are focal points for groundwater recharge. Hence the groundwater recharge function of the wetlands is an important consideration in development of wetland conservation policies. Most of the groundwater recharge from the wetlands flows to the mo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inGreat Plains research Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 39 - 56
Main Authors van der Kamp, Garth, Hayashi, Masaki
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Lincoln Center for Great Plains Studies 1998
Center for Great Plains Studies, University of Nebraska Lincoln
Subjects
Aquifers
Groundwater
Groundwater flow
Groundwater level
Groundwater recharge
Hydrogeology
Ponds
Prairies
Water tables
Wetlands
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Summary:Small wetlands in the semi-arid northern prairie region are focal points for groundwater recharge. Hence the groundwater recharge function of the wetlands is an important consideration in development of wetland conservation policies. Most of the groundwater recharge from the wetlands flows to the moist margins of the wetlands and serves to maintain high évapotranspiration by the vegetation surrounding the wetlands. Only a small portion of the recharged water flows to regional aquifers, but this portion is important for sustaining groundwater resources. Wetland drainage eliminates the local flow systems, but may have little effects on regional aquifers other than a slight lowering of the groundwater levels. Further research should focus on the effects of wetland drainage on regional groundwater levels, the role of small ephemeral ponds in groundwater recharge, and the contribution of groundwater inflow to the water balance of large permanent wetlands.
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ISSN:1052-5165
2334-2463