The effect of topography on the formation of groundwater recharge

Abstract

Analysis of the influence of a gently sloping relief on groundwater recharge was made by a surface and vadose-zone water-balance simulation for different slope (gradient and exposure) and landscape (type of soil and vegetation) characteristics for humid climate conditions. The model results show that the main feature of the relief is slope exposure and the greatest differences in recharge in comparison with flat surface are manifested at the foot of a hill. For northern slope exposures there are local zones that exceed recharge, but for southern exposures the foot of a hill may be the area of groundwater evapotranspiration discharge, which is subject to landscape conditions.