Modeling subsurface hydrology in floodplains

Evans, Cristina M., Dritschel, David G. and Singer, Michael Bliss ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6899-2224 2018. Modeling subsurface hydrology in floodplains. Water Resources Research 54 (3) , pp. 1428-1459. 10.1002/2017WR020827

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Abstract

Soil‐moisture patterns in floodplains are highly dynamic, owing to the complex relationships between soil properties, climatic conditions at the surface, and the position of the water table. Given this complexity, along with climate change scenarios in many regions, there is a need for a model to investigate the implications of different conditions on water availability to riparian vegetation. We present a model, HaughFlow, which is able to predict coupled water movement in the vadose and phreatic zones of hydraulically connected floodplains. Model output was calibrated and evaluated at six sites in Australia to identify key patterns in subsurface hydrology. This study identifies the importance of the capillary fringe in vadose zone hydrology due to its water storage capacity and creation of conductive pathways. Following peaks in water table elevation, water can be stored in the capillary fringe for up to months (depending on the soil properties). This water can provide a critical resource for vegetation that is unable to access the water table. When water table peaks coincide with heavy rainfall events, the capillary fringe can support saturation of the entire soil profile. HaughFlow is used to investigate the water availability to riparian vegetation, producing daily output of water content in the soil over decadal time periods within different depth ranges. These outputs can be summarized to support scientific investigations of plant‐water relations, as well as in management applications.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Earth and Environmental Sciences
Publisher:	American Geophysical Union (AGU)
ISSN:	0043-1397
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	23 March 2018
Date of Acceptance:	24 January 2018
Last Modified:	05 May 2023 17:38
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/108948

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