2025 CSDMS meeting-026
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Simulation 20 years fluctuation of Water Table Level across North America by using Water Table Model (WTM)
Mohammad Haghiri,
University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Illinois, United States. mhaghi2@uic.edu
Kerry Callaghan, University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Illinois, United States. kerryc@uic.edu
Understanding trends of water table dynamics is critical for water resources management and environmental sustainability. Over the past two decades, North America has experienced changes in water table levels caused by well extraction, irrigation, and climatic change conditions. This study uses the Water Table Model (WTM) to simulate 20 years of water table fluctuations, integrating high-resolution spatial and temporal climate data, hydrological processes, and geological parameters. Our result shows strong natural variability in water table responses controlled by precipitation and evaporation. Results indicate a slight rise in water table levels, with average depths shifting from -2.26 m to -2.14 m across the continent. However, a regional assessment of 12 watersheds shows that while 10 watersheds experienced rising water levels, 2 demonstrated a decline, underscoring the heterogeneous impact of climatic forces on water table dynamics. Findings provide valuable insights into regional groundwater sustainability. The study emphasizes the need for targeted, watershed-specific management practices to mitigate potential adverse impacts and to optimize water resources under climatic changing conditions.
