Assessing river-aquifer interaction for sustained water abstraction, Lower Vaal Catchment, South Africa

Abstract

Several methods are available in the literature for the estimations of river-aquifer interactions. However, the selection of which depends on available data, local geographic and topographic conditions, the spatial and temporal scale required, and the reliability of results obtained by different methods. This study was caried out to assess the river-aquifer interaction for sustained water abstraction using the Lower Vaal River catchment as an example. The study aimed to improve knowledge and understanding of using multi-methods for the assessment of river-aquifer interactions. To achieve this, the study had three objectives namely, 1.) to investigate areas where river recharge aquifers exist (focussed recharge area), 2.) to determine areas where aquifer recharge river exist (aquifer discharge areas), and 3.) to develop a conceptual model of the groundwater process that explains interactions.