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Enhancing Monthly Streamflow Prediction Using Meteorological Factors and Machine Learning Models in the Upper Colorado River Basin
Climate Change Projections of Potential Evapotranspiration for the North American Monsoon Region
Influence of Floodplain Forest Structure on Overbank Sediment and Phosphorus Deposition in an Agriculturally Dominated Watershed in Iowa, USA
Channel Morphology Change after Restoration: Drone Laser Scanning versus Traditional Surveying Techniques

Journal Description

Hydrology

Hydrology is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on hydrology published monthly online by MDPI. The American Institute of Hydrology (AIH) and Japanese Society of Physical Hydrology (JSPH) are affiliated with Hydrology and their members receive discounts on the article processing charges.

Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, ESCI (Web of Science), PubAg, GeoRef, and other databases.
Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Water Resources) / CiteScore - Q1 (Earth-Surface Processes)
Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 18.6 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2024).
Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.

Impact Factor: 3.1 (2023); 5-Year Impact Factor: 3.0 (2023)

Imprint Information Journal Flyer Open Access ISSN: 2306-5338

Latest Articles

16 pages, 4207 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predicting Suspended Sediment Transport in Urbanised Streams: A Case Study of Dry Creek, South Australia

by Tesfa Gebrie Andualem, Guna A. Hewa, Baden R. Myers, John Boland and Stefan Peters

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110196 - 16 Nov 2024

Sediment transport in urban streams is a critical environmental issue, with significant implications for water quality, ecosystem health, and infrastructure management. Accurately estimating suspended sediment concentration (SSC) is essential for effective long-term environmental management. This study investigates the relationships between streamflow, turbidity, and [...] Read more.

Sediment transport in urban streams is a critical environmental issue, with significant implications for water quality, ecosystem health, and infrastructure management. Accurately estimating suspended sediment concentration (SSC) is essential for effective long-term environmental management. This study investigates the relationships between streamflow, turbidity, and SSC in Dry Creek, South Australia, to understand sediment transport dynamics in urbanised catchments. We collected grab samples from the field and analysed them in the laboratory. We employed statistical modelling to develop a sediment rating curve (SRC) that provides insights into the sediment transport dynamics in the urban stream. The grab sample measurements showed variations in SSC between 3.2 and 431.8 mg/L, with a median value of 77.3 mg/L. The analysis revealed a strong linear relationship between streamflow and SSC, while turbidity exhibited a two-regime linear relationship, in which the low-turbidity regime demonstrated a stronger linear relationship compared to the high-turbidity regime. This is attributed to the urbanised nature of the catchment, which contributes to a first-flush effect in turbidity. This contributes to sediment hysteresis, resulting in non-proportional turbidity and SSC responses to streamflow changes. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of a streamflow-based SRC for accurately predicting sediment discharge, explaining 97% of the variability in sediment discharge. The sediment discharge predicted using the SRC indicated a sediment load of 341.8 tonnes per year along the creek. The developed sediment rating curve provides a valuable tool for long-term sediment management in Dry Creek, enabling the assessment of downstream environmental risks. By addressing data limitations, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of sediment transport dynamics in urbanized environments, offering insights for informed decision-making and effective sediment management strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sediment Transport and Morphological Processes at the Watershed Scale)

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21 pages, 1288 KiB

Open AccessReview

Enhancing Groundwater Recharge Through Nature-Based Solutions: Benefits and Barriers

by Mahlet M. Kebede, Mukesh Kumar, Mesfin M. Mekonnen and T. Prabhakar Clement

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 195; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110195 - 16 Nov 2024

Nature-based solutions (NbSs) for water involve using or mimicking natural processes to contribute to the improved management of water. Although NbSs are gaining a significant amount of scientific attention, to ensure their wide usage for enhancing groundwater recharge, there is a need for [...] Read more.

Nature-based solutions (NbSs) for water involve using or mimicking natural processes to contribute to the improved management of water. Although NbSs are gaining a significant amount of scientific attention, to ensure their wide usage for enhancing groundwater recharge, there is a need for clear documentation outlining their benefits and barriers. In this study, a systematic literature review was carried out to evaluate the application of NbSs for managing groundwater recharge. First, NbS approaches were classified into two broad groups: managed aquifer recharge (MAR) and ancillary recharge methods (ARMs). MAR includes all activities that intentionally enhance the recharge of an aquifer for later recovery, while ARMs include all the remaining NbSs wherein recharge enhancement is a secondary goal. In 50 out of 61 reviewed studies, MAR was reported to be successful in increasing recharge. However, in the remaining studies, reductions in recharge rates were reported. Most of the NbSs that failed to improve groundwater recharge were from the ARMs group. This group had little consensus among studies regarding the effectiveness of NbSs on groundwater recharge. In this study, we also identified opportunities and challenges, such as gaps in our knowledge of NbSs’ effectiveness, their assessment in long-term, cost–benefit analysis and scalability. Addressing these challenges will further enhance the efficiency of NbSs, which indeed is a promising alternative for enhancing groundwater resources. Full article

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20 pages, 7069 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Development of a Hydrological Method for Computing Extreme Hydrographs in Engineering Dam Projects

by Oscar E. Coronado-Hernández, Vicente S. Fuertes-Miquel and Alfonso Arrieta-Pastrana

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110194 - 15 Nov 2024

Engineering dam projects benefit society, including hydropower, water supply, agriculture, and flood control. During the planning stage, it is crucial to calculate extreme hydrographs associated with different return periods for spillways and diversion structures (such as tunnels, conduits, temporary diversions, multiple-stage diversions, and [...] Read more.

Engineering dam projects benefit society, including hydropower, water supply, agriculture, and flood control. During the planning stage, it is crucial to calculate extreme hydrographs associated with different return periods for spillways and diversion structures (such as tunnels, conduits, temporary diversions, multiple-stage diversions, and cofferdams). In many countries, spillways have return periods ranging from 1000 to 10,000 years, while diversion structures are designed with shorter return periods. This study introduces a hydrological method based on data from large rivers which can be used to compute extreme hydrographs for different return periods in engineering dam projects. The proposed model relies solely on frequency analysis data of peak flow, base flow, and water volume for various return periods, along with recorded maximum hydrographs, to compute design hydrographs associated with different return periods. The proposed method is applied to the El Quimbo Hydropower Plant in Colombia, which has a drainage area of 6832 km². The results demonstrate that this method effectively captures peak flows and evaluates hydrograph volumes and base flows associated with different return periods, as a Root Mean Square Error of 11.9% of the maximum volume for various return periods was achieved during the validation stage of the proposed model. A comprehensive comparison with the rainfall–runoff method is also provided to evaluate the relative magnitudes of the various variables analysed, ensuring a thorough and reliable assessment of the proposed method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Modeling and Sustainable Water Resources Management)

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17 pages, 5575 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Importance of Solving Subglaciar Hydrology in Modeling Glacier Retreat: A Case Study of Hansbreen, Svalbard

by Eva De Andrés, José M. Muñoz-Hermosilla, Kaian Shahateet and Jaime Otero

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110193 - 12 Nov 2024

Arctic tidewater glaciers are retreating, serving as key indicators of global warming. This study aims to assess how subglacial hydrology affects glacier front retreat by comparing two glacier–fjord models of the Hansbreen glacier: one incorporating a detailed subglacial hydrology model and another simplifying [...] Read more.

Arctic tidewater glaciers are retreating, serving as key indicators of global warming. This study aims to assess how subglacial hydrology affects glacier front retreat by comparing two glacier–fjord models of the Hansbreen glacier: one incorporating a detailed subglacial hydrology model and another simplifying the subglacial discharge to a single channel centered in the flow line. We first validate the subglacial hydrology model by comparing its discharge channels with observations of plume activity. Simulations conducted from April to December 2010 revealed that the glacier front position aligns more closely with the observations in the coupled model than in the simplified version. Furthermore, the mass loss due to calving and submarine melting is greater in the coupled model, with the calving mass loss reaching 6 Mt by the end of the simulation compared to 4 Mt in the simplified model. These findings highlight the critical role of subglacial hydrology in predicting glacier dynamics and emphasize the importance of detailed modeling in understanding the responses of Arctic tidewater glaciers to climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Hydrological and Hydrodynamic Processes and Modelling)

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16 pages, 2724 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Simple Neural Network for Estimating Fine Sediment Sources Using XRF and XRD

by Selline Mutiso, Keisuke Nakayama and Katsuaki Komai

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110192 - 12 Nov 2024

Suspended sediment (SS) has a wide range of negative effects such as increased water turbidity, altered habitat structures, sedimentation, and effects on hydraulic systems and environmental engineering projects. Nevertheless, the methods for accurately determining SS sources on a basin-scale are poorly understood. Herein, [...] Read more.

Suspended sediment (SS) has a wide range of negative effects such as increased water turbidity, altered habitat structures, sedimentation, and effects on hydraulic systems and environmental engineering projects. Nevertheless, the methods for accurately determining SS sources on a basin-scale are poorly understood. Herein, we used a simplified neural network analysis (NNA) model to identify the sources of SS in Japan’s Oromushi River Catchment Basin. Fine soil samples were collected from different locations of the catchment basin, processed, and separately analysed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The sampling stations were grouped according to the type of soil cover, vegetation type and land-use pattern. The geochemical components of each group were fed into the same neural network layer, and a series of equations were applied to estimate the sediment contribution from each group to the downstream side of the river. Samples from the same sampling locations were also analysed by XRD, and the obtained peak intensity values were used as the input in the NNA model. SS mainly originated from agricultural fields, with regions where the ground is covered with volcanic ash identified as the key sources through XRF and XRD analysis, respectively. Therefore, based on the nature of the surface soil cover and the land use pattern in the catchment basin, NNA was found to be a reliable data analytical technique. Moreover, XRD analysis does not incorporate carbon, and also provides detailed information on crystalline phases. The results obtained in this study, therefore, do not depend on seasonal uncertainty due to organic matter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Ecohydrology)

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17 pages, 2227 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evapotranspiration Estimation with the Budyko Framework for Canadian Watersheds

by Zehao Yan, Zhong Li and Brian Baetz

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 191; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110191 - 12 Nov 2024

Actual evapotranspiration (AET) estimation plays a crucial role in watershed management. Hydrological models are commonly used to simulate watershed responses and estimate AET. However, their calibration heavily depends on station-based data, which is often limited in availability and frequently inaccessible, [...] Read more.

Actual evapotranspiration (AET) estimation plays a crucial role in watershed management. Hydrological models are commonly used to simulate watershed responses and estimate AET. However, their calibration heavily depends on station-based data, which is often limited in availability and frequently inaccessible, making the process challenging and time-consuming. In this study, the Budyko model framework, which effectively utilizes remote sensing data for hydrological modeling and requires the calibration of only one parameter, is adopted for AET estimation across Ontario, Canada. Four different parameter estimation methods were developed and compared, and an attribution analysis was also conducted to investigate the impacts of climate and vegetation factors on AET changes. Results show that the developed Budyko models performed well, with the best model achieving a Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) value of 0.74 and a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) value of 55.5 mm/year. The attribution analysis reveals that climate factors have a greater influence on AET changes compared to vegetation factors. This study presents the first Budyko modeling attempt for Canadian watersheds. It demonstrates the applicability and potential of the Budyko framework for future case studies in Canada and other cold regions, providing a new, straightforward, and efficient alternative for AET estimation and hydrological modeling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Modeling and Sustainable Water Resources Management)

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14 pages, 2111 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Index Calculation Method for the Impact of Drought on Water Quality in the Nakdong River, Korea

by Bu Geon Jo, Jaeyeon Lim, Joo-Heon Lee and Young Do Kim

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110190 - 10 Nov 2024

The impact of drought is intensifying due to climate change, leading to significant environmental consequences, particularly concerning river water quality. While drought is typically classified as meteorological or hydrological, studies assessing its environmental impacts remain limited. Drought-induced hydrological alterations in rivers often degrade [...] Read more.

The impact of drought is intensifying due to climate change, leading to significant environmental consequences, particularly concerning river water quality. While drought is typically classified as meteorological or hydrological, studies assessing its environmental impacts remain limited. Drought-induced hydrological alterations in rivers often degrade water quality, necessitating the development of an environmental drought index. This study introduces a novel methodology for calculating an index to evaluate the effects of drought on river water quality, specifically applied to tributaries of the Nakdong River in South Korea. The index was constructed by reviewing existing water quality and drought indices, selecting relevant parameters, and weighting each factor following the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI) methodology. Factors integrated into the index encompass both meteorological and hydrological indicators, with priority given to variables measurable in real time. Real-time parameters—such as flow rate, cumulative precipitation, days without rainfall, and sensor-based metrics (pH, electrical conductivity [EC], dissolved oxygen [DO], and total organic carbon [TOC])—were incorporated. Additionally, for rivers with upstream dams, dam discharge data were included to reflect its influence on flow conditions. The applicability of the calculated index was assessed by comparing index values to observed water quality data. A class interval structure was implemented to enhance the index’s usability across diverse riverine conditions. Furthermore, the utility of the index was validated by comparing it to the basin’s target water quality, thereby assessing its sensitivity to drought-induced water quality deterioration. The environmental drought index proposed in this study enables the proactive and real-time monitoring of water quality under drought conditions. When applied to 10 tributaries of the Nakdong River, the index demonstrated a clear correlation between drought conditions and water quality deterioration. This index provides a practical tool for river management, facilitating early response strategies to mitigate water quality impacts associated with environmental drought. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Hydrology–Climate Interactions)

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20 pages, 428 KiB

Open AccessEssay

Some Remarks About Forward and Inverse Modelling in Hydrology, Within a General Conceptual Framework

by Mauro Giudici

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110189 - 9 Nov 2024

The solution to inverse problems is crucial for model calibration and to provide a good basis for model results to be reliable. This paper is based on a recently proposed conceptual framework for the development and application of mathematical models that require the [...] Read more.

The solution to inverse problems is crucial for model calibration and to provide a good basis for model results to be reliable. This paper is based on a recently proposed conceptual framework for the development and application of mathematical models that require the solution of forward and inverse problems. The focus of this paper is on the discussion of some terminology related to the results of forward problems and their reanalysis, on the use of the proposed framework to revise and generalise some methods of solutions of the inverse problem, and to provide a non-standard insight in some aspects about the Bayesian approach to model calibration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers of Hydrology)

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14 pages, 8044 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Origin and Mapping the Extension of Salinity Around Shrimp Culture Ponds in Rio Grande Do Norte (Brazil)

by José A. Beltrão-Sabadía, Albert Casas-Ponsatí, Evanimek Bernardo Sabino da Silva, Alex Sendrós, Josefina C. Tapias and Francisco Pinheiro Lima-Filho

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 188; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110188 - 6 Nov 2024

The increasing installation of shrimp farms in vulnerable coastal areas around the world generates an environmental impact and makes it urgent to develop methodologies and studies for assessing and scaling the potential risks and sustainability of these activities. One of the main hazards [...] Read more.

The increasing installation of shrimp farms in vulnerable coastal areas around the world generates an environmental impact and makes it urgent to develop methodologies and studies for assessing and scaling the potential risks and sustainability of these activities. One of the main hazards of these activities is that the prolonged inundation of excavated ponds for shrimp farming allows the percolation of saltwater in the surroundings, resulting in increasing groundwater salinity. Saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers, accompanied by salinization of soils, causes a decrease in available freshwater resources, a decline in crop productivity and the deterioration of the natural ecosystem. The coastal aquifer of Rio Grande do Norte State (Brazil) where, for years, several shrimp farm factories have been operating, reported some issues related to aquifer and soil salinization. The present study aims to assess the origin of and delineate groundwater salinization in a sector of this coastal aquifer using a low-budget procedure. The integration of hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical characterization by drilling shallow piezometers, measuring the hydrostatic level and analyzing the major ion concentrations of the groundwater has made it possible to establish that the origin of groundwater pollution in the studied area is caused by saltwater percolation from shrimp farms. The joint use of both characterization techniques has been shown to have an efficient cost–benefit ratio and less-intrusive methodology, which can be applied in other areas with similar environmental concerns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Human Impact on Groundwater Environment)

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26 pages, 1953 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review on Storage Process Models for Improving Water Quality Modeling in Rivers

by Amir Mohammad Saadat, Sajad Khodambashi Emami and Hossein Hamidifar

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110187 - 4 Nov 2024

Water quality is intricately linked to the global water crisis since the availability of safe, clean water is essential for sustaining life and ensuring the well-being of communities worldwide. Pollutants such as industrial chemicals, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage frequently enter rivers via [...] Read more.

Water quality is intricately linked to the global water crisis since the availability of safe, clean water is essential for sustaining life and ensuring the well-being of communities worldwide. Pollutants such as industrial chemicals, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage frequently enter rivers via surface runoff or direct discharges. This study provides an overview of the key mechanisms governing contaminant transport in rivers, with special attention to storage and hyporheic processes. The storage process conceptualizes a ubiquitous reactive boundary between the main channel (mobile zone) and its surrounding slower-flow areas (immobile zone). Research from the last five decades demonstrates the crucial role of storage and hyporheic zones in influencing solute residence time, nutrient cycling, and pollutant degradation. A review of solute transport models highlights significant advancements, including models like the transient storage model (TSM) and multirate mass transport (MRMT) model, which effectively capture complex storage zone dynamics and residence time distributions. However, more widely used models like the classical advection–dispersion equation (ADE) cannot hyporheic exchange, limiting their application in environments with significant storage contributions. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in accurately quantifying the relative contributions of storage zones to solute transport and degradation, especially in smaller streams dominated by hyporheic exchange. Future research should integrate detailed field observations with advanced numerical models to address these gaps and improve water quality predictions across diverse river systems. Full article

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18 pages, 6358 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Differences in Groundwater Hydrology Dynamics Between In Situ Measurements and GRACE-Derived Estimates via Machine Learning: A Test Case of Consequences for Agroecological Relationships Within the Yazoo–Mississippi Delta (USA)

by Lucas J. Heintzman, Zahra Ghaffari, Abdel R. Awawdeh, Damien E. Barrett, Lance D. Yarbrough, Greg Easson, Matthew T. Moore, Martin A. Locke and Hakan I. Yasarer

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110186 - 1 Nov 2024

In situ groundwater monitoring is critical for irrigated agroecosystems and informs land cover changes. Yet, such data can pose management challenges and confound agroecological relationships. Correspondingly, satellite-based approaches, including the GRACE-constellation, are increasing. Although in situ and GRACE-derived comparisons occur, limited research considers [...] Read more.

In situ groundwater monitoring is critical for irrigated agroecosystems and informs land cover changes. Yet, such data can pose management challenges and confound agroecological relationships. Correspondingly, satellite-based approaches, including the GRACE-constellation, are increasing. Although in situ and GRACE-derived comparisons occur, limited research considers agroecological dependencies. Herein, we examined differences in groundwater monitoring approaches (observed [in situ, O] vs. predicted [GRACE-derived, P]) within the Yazoo–Mississippi Delta (YMD), an agroecosystem in the southeastern USA. We compared variations in modeled groundwater hydrology, land cover, and irrigation dynamics of the YMD within the upper-quartile (UQ) area of interest (AOI) (highest groundwater levels) and lower-quartile (LQ) AOI (lowest groundwater levels) every year from 2008 to 2020. Spatially, OUQ and PUQ were in northern portions of the YMD, with the OLQ and PLQ in southern portions. Groundwater levels between OUQ:PUQ and OLQ:PLQ each had correlations > 0.85. Regarding land cover, most categories varied within ±2.50% between model estimates over time. Relatedly, we documented 14 instances where correlations between land use category and groundwater level were inverted across models (OLQ:PLQ (5), OUQ:OLQ (6), PUQ:PLQ (3)). Irrigation results were not statistically different among all models. Overall, our results highlight the importance of quantifying model incongruences for groundwater and land cover management. Full article

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22 pages, 4919 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Simplified Approach of Pumping Rate Optimization for Production Wells to Mitigate Saltwater Intrusion: A Case Study in Vinh Hung District, Long An Province, Vietnam

by Pham Quy Nhan, Dang Tran Trung, Tran Thanh Le, Nguyen Kim Hung, Pham Minh Hoang and Tran Duc Thinh

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110185 - 31 Oct 2024

In the investigation of optimal groundwater extraction in coastal regions, conventional assumptions typically revolve around unconfined aquifers with specified boundary conditions. In such cases, intricate solutions for groundwater management have been documented. However, within extensive delta plains, the extraction wells are frequently drilled [...] Read more.

In the investigation of optimal groundwater extraction in coastal regions, conventional assumptions typically revolve around unconfined aquifers with specified boundary conditions. In such cases, intricate solutions for groundwater management have been documented. However, within extensive delta plains, the extraction wells are frequently drilled in confined aquifers with not much variable-density flow. This circumstance, characterized by paleo-saltwater intrusion, is further complicated by the placement of wells at a considerable distance from the coastal line. As a result, the design and implementation of groundwater supply systems in these areas necessitate strategic groundwater management to optimize groundwater utilization while mitigating the potential risk of saltwater intrusion. Analytical solutions and an optimization problem approach have been applied to address this challenge and solve the differential equations governing confined aquifers with salt–freshwater interfaces. These methodologies provide simplified yet dependable conditions tailored to the study area. A case study conducted in Vinh Hung district, Long An province, is focused on determining the optimal pumping rate for production wells to forestall saltwater intrusion during groundwater extraction. Here, the focus is on the migration of older saltwater towards inland pumped wells, rather than the influence of recent seawater encroachment. The findings contribute valuable insights into achieving an equilibrium between maximizing groundwater utilization and preventing saltwater intrusion in the aquifer systems by a simplified approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Surface Waters and Groundwaters)

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22 pages, 5697 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Groundwater Geochemistry in the Karst-Fissure Aquifer System of the Qinglian River Basin, China

by Lanfang Xu, Zehua Ni, Wenlong Huang, Shiliang Tu, Shoujun Jiang, Zhuohan Zhuang, Libo Zhao and Hongyu Yang

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110184 - 30 Oct 2024

The Qinglian River plays a significant role in China’s national water conservation security patterns. To clarify the relationship between hydrogeochemical properties and groundwater quality in this karst-fissure aquifer system, drilling data, hydrochemical parameters, and δ²H and δ¹⁸O values of [...] Read more.

The Qinglian River plays a significant role in China’s national water conservation security patterns. To clarify the relationship between hydrogeochemical properties and groundwater quality in this karst-fissure aquifer system, drilling data, hydrochemical parameters, and δ²H and δ¹⁸O values of groundwater were analyzed. Multiple indications (Piper diagram, Gibbs diagram, Na⁺-normalized molar ratio diagram, chloro-alkaline index 1, mineral saturation index, and principal component analysis) were used to identify the primary sources of chemicals in the groundwater. Silicate weathering, oxidation of pyrite and chlorite, cation exchange reactions, and precipitation are the primary sources of dissolved chemicals in the igneous-fissure water. The most relevant parameters in the karst water are possibly from anthropogenic activities, and other chemicals are mostly derived from the dissolution of calcite and dolomite and cation exchange reactions. Notably, the chemical composition of the deep karst water from the karst basin is mainly influenced by the weathering of carbonate and cation exchange reactions and is less affected by human activities. The hydrogeochemical properties of groundwater in the karst hyporheic zone are influenced by the dissolution of carbonates and silicates, evaporation, and the promotion effect of dissolution of anorthite or Ca-containing minerals. Moreover, the smallest slope of the groundwater line from the karst hyporheic zone among all groundwater groups revealed that the mixing effects of evaporation, isotope exchange in water–rock interaction or deep groundwater recharge in the karst hyporheic zone are the strongest. The methods used in this study contribute to an improved understanding of the hydrogeochemical processes that occur in karst-fissure water systems and can be useful in zoning management and decision-making for groundwater resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Surface Waters and Groundwaters)

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26 pages, 4773 KiB

Open AccessReview

Applications of Machine Learning and Remote Sensing in Soil and Water Conservation

by Ye Inn Kim, Woo Hyeon Park, Yongchul Shin, Jin-Woo Park, Bernie Engel, Young-Jo Yun and Won Seok Jang

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110183 - 30 Oct 2024

The application of machine learning (ML) and remote sensing (RS) in soil and water conservation has become a powerful tool. As analytical tools continue to advance, the variety of ML algorithms and RS sources has expanded, providing opportunities for more sophisticated analyses. At [...] Read more.

The application of machine learning (ML) and remote sensing (RS) in soil and water conservation has become a powerful tool. As analytical tools continue to advance, the variety of ML algorithms and RS sources has expanded, providing opportunities for more sophisticated analyses. At the same time, researchers are required to select appropriate technologies based on the research objectives, topic, and scope of the study area. In this paper, we present a comprehensive review of the application of ML algorithms and RS that has been implemented to advance research in soil and water conservation. The key contribution of this review paper is that it provides an overview of current research areas within soil and water conservation and their effectiveness in improving prediction accuracy and resource management in categorized subfields, including soil properties, hydrology and water resources, and wildfire management. We also highlight challenges and future directions based on limitations of ML and RS applications in soil and water conservation. This review aims to serve as a reference for researchers and decision-makers by offering insights into the effectiveness of ML and RS applications in the fields of soil and water conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Big Data and Machine Learning in Hydrology: Recent Advances and Trends)

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12 pages, 2146 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ornamental Plant Growth in Different Culture Conditions and Fluoride and Chloride Removals with Constructed Wetlands

by José Luis Marín-Muñiz, María E. Hernández and Sergio Zamora Castro

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110182 - 29 Oct 2024

Natural water resources often contain fluorides and chlorides due to wastewater discharge; however, excessive exposure to fluorides can pose health risks to humans. Elevated chloride levels can negatively affect aquatic fauna and disrupt the reproductive rates of plants. This study assessed constructed wetlands [...] Read more.

Natural water resources often contain fluorides and chlorides due to wastewater discharge; however, excessive exposure to fluorides can pose health risks to humans. Elevated chloride levels can negatively affect aquatic fauna and disrupt the reproductive rates of plants. This study assessed constructed wetlands (CWs) featuring monocultures (including Canna hybrid, Alpinia purpurata, and Hedychium coronarium) and polycultures (combinations of species from the monoculture systems) of ornamental plants (OPs) to evaluate their efficiency in removing fluorides and chlorides. The results revealed that the ornamental plants flourished in the CW conditions without sustaining any physical damage. C. hybrid demonstrated the longest roots and the highest volume, as well as greater height compared to other species. However, this did not affect the ion removal efficiency. In polyculture systems, 42.2 ± 8.8% of fluoride was removed, a result that was not significantly different (p > 0.05) from the removal rates observed in monocultures of C. hybrid (42.5 ± 7.5%), H. coronarium (36.8 ± 7.0%), or A. purpurata (30.7 ± 7.9%). For chloride, a similar pattern emerged, with 32.4 ± 4.8% removed in constructed wetlands (CWs) using a polyculture of ornamental plants, a figure that was also not significantly different (p > 0.05) from the removal percentages in monocultures of C. hybrid (29.1 ± 5.3%), H. coronarium (28.1 ± 5.0%), or A. purpurata (32.0 ± 5.7%). Our results indicate that CWs with polyculture species contribute to pollutant removal at levels comparable to those found in monoculture systems. However, polyculture systems offer enhanced aesthetic appeal and biodiversity, incorporating various ornamental flowering plants. The use of this eco-technology for removing fluoride and chloride pollutants helps prevent river contamination and associated health issues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Climate Change and Human Activities on Wetland Hydrology)

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25 pages, 7600 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimation of the Hydraulic Parameters of a Stratified Alluvial Soil in the Region of El Haouareb—Central Tunisia. Experiments, Empirical, Analytical and Inverse Models

by Emna Abdennour, Lamia Guellouz, Mariem Dahmouni and Mohamed Hachicha

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110181 - 29 Oct 2024

Modeling water flow and contaminant transport in the unsaturated zone is a difficult task that relies heavily on good hydrodynamic soil characterization. This article presents a complementarity between experimentation, direct modeling and inverse modeling in order to provide a better estimate of the [...] Read more.

Modeling water flow and contaminant transport in the unsaturated zone is a difficult task that relies heavily on good hydrodynamic soil characterization. This article presents a complementarity between experimentation, direct modeling and inverse modeling in order to provide a better estimate of the hydrodynamic parameters of stratified alluvial soil in the El Haouareb region of the Kairouane plain in Tunisia. A field sampling campaign was carried out. The samples collected underwent particle size analysis, bulk density measurements and infiltration tests using a mini-Muntz. In parallel, simple evaporation tests were applied to separate strata. In addition, a 2 m soil column was reconstituted and fitted with sensors to monitor water content, tension, temperature and electrical conductivity. An internal drainage test was performed on this monolith. Three methods were applied using experimental data to estimate soil hydrodynamic parameters. In the first method, pedotransfer functions were used (Rosetta platform) based on granulometric results and bulk density. In the second, water tension and water content monitored during the simple evaporation test were used to plot the soil–water retention curve (SWRC) using SWRC-Fit. In the third method, inverse modeling was applied to the internal drainage test. A comparison of the results showed that the inverse method had the lowest RMSE. Uncertainty analysis has been implemented for both the experimental and numerical set up. Full article

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16 pages, 10358 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulation of Flood-Control Reservoirs: Comparing Fully 2D and 0D–1D Models

by Susanna Dazzi, Riccardo Verbeni, Paolo Mignosa and Renato Vacondio

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110180 - 26 Oct 2024

Flood-control reservoirs are often used as a structural measure to mitigate fluvial floods, and numerical models are a fundamental tool for assessing their effectiveness. This work aims to analyze the suitability of fully 2D shallow-water models to simulate these systems by adopting internal [...] Read more.

Flood-control reservoirs are often used as a structural measure to mitigate fluvial floods, and numerical models are a fundamental tool for assessing their effectiveness. This work aims to analyze the suitability of fully 2D shallow-water models to simulate these systems by adopting internal boundary conditions to describe hydraulic structures (i.e., dams) and by using a parallelized code to reduce the computational burden. The 2D results are also compared with the more established approach of coupling a 1D model for the river and a 0D model for the reservoir. Two test cases, including an in-stream reservoir and an off-stream basin, both located in Italy, are considered. Results show that the fully 2D model can effectively handle the simulation of a complex flood-control system. Moreover, compared with the 0D–1D model, it captures the velocity field and the filling/emptying process of the reservoir more realistically, especially for off-stream reservoirs. Conversely, when the basin is characterized by very limited flood dynamics, the two approaches provide similar results (maximum levels in the reservoir differ by less than 10 cm, and peak discharges by about 5%). Thanks to parallelization and the inclusion of internal boundary conditions, fully 2D models can be applied not only for local hydrodynamic analyses but also for river-scale studies, including flood-control reservoirs, with reasonable computational effort (i.e., ratios of physical to computational times on the order of 30–100). Full article

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19 pages, 4082 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Systematic Review of the Current State of Numerical Groundwater Modeling in American Countries: Challenges and Future Research

by Baltazar Leo Lozano Hernández, Ana Elizabeth Marín Celestino, Diego Armando Martínez Cruz, José Alfredo Ramos Leal, Eliseo Hernández Pérez, Joel García Pazos and Oscar Guadalupe Almanza Tovar

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110179 - 25 Oct 2024

In arid and semi-arid regions, groundwater is often the only available water source. However, overexploitation and pollution have led to a decrease in groundwater quantity and quality. Therefore, the proper management of groundwater resources is essential to promote sustainable development. Numerical simulation models [...] Read more.

In arid and semi-arid regions, groundwater is often the only available water source. However, overexploitation and pollution have led to a decrease in groundwater quantity and quality. Therefore, the proper management of groundwater resources is essential to promote sustainable development. Numerical simulation models (NSMs) have emerged as a valuable tool to address these challenges due to their ability to accurately and efficiently model groundwater systems. This study provides a comprehensive systematic review to evaluate the current knowledge on using numerical groundwater flow models for planning and water resource management in countries in the American region. A total of 166 research articles were published between the years 2000 and 2024. We analyzed and summarized details such as the study regions, numerical simulation methods and applied software, performance metrics, modeling units, modeling limitations, and prediction scenarios. In addition, we discuss alternatives to address the constraints and difficulties and suggest recommendations for future research. The continued research, improvement, and development of numerical groundwater models are essential to ensure the sustainability of groundwater resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Hydrogeological Research)

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25 pages, 5551 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Climate Change Impacts on Hydrology Using an Integrated Water Quality Index

by Sangung Lee, Bu Geon Jo, Jaeyeon Lim, Jong Mun Lee and Young Do Kim

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110178 - 24 Oct 2024

Traditional Water Quality Indices (WQIs) often fail to capture the significant impact of flow velocity on water quality, especially under varying hydrological conditions. In this study, an Integrated Water Quality Index (IWQI) was developed by combining water quality parameters and flow rate, providing [...] Read more.

Traditional Water Quality Indices (WQIs) often fail to capture the significant impact of flow velocity on water quality, especially under varying hydrological conditions. In this study, an Integrated Water Quality Index (IWQI) was developed by combining water quality parameters and flow rate, providing a more comprehensive assessment under various flow conditions. Compared to traditional indices, the IWQI showed slightly lower correlations in individual parameter performance, but it performed well in evaluating water quality changes associated with flow variations. Parameters such as Total Phosphorus (TP), Total Coliforms (TC), and Fecal Coliforms (FC), which are prevalent pollutants in the Cheongmi River, significantly influenced IWQI scores. River water quality was evaluated using input data simulated under a climate change scenario. When precipitation was abundant, the IWQI score remained relatively stable even with reduced flow rates. However, during periods of insufficient rainfall, water quality deteriorated sharply. While general water quality parameters exhibited approximately a 10% change as flow decreased, TC and FC showed rapid deterioration, with change rates ranging from 20% to 60%. These findings underscore the importance of managing TC and FC, particularly when insufficient rainfall is predicted, as they are major sources of pollution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Hydrology–Climate Interactions)

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20 pages, 2475 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Toward Utilizing Similarity in Hydrologic Data Assimilation

by Haksu Lee, Haojing Shen and Yuqiong Liu

Hydrology 2024, 11(11), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11110177 - 24 Oct 2024

Similarity to reality is a necessary property of models in earth sciences. Similarity information can thus possess a large potential in advancing geophysical modeling and data assimilation. We present a formalism for utilizing similarity within the existing theoretical data assimilation framework. Two examples [...] Read more.

Similarity to reality is a necessary property of models in earth sciences. Similarity information can thus possess a large potential in advancing geophysical modeling and data assimilation. We present a formalism for utilizing similarity within the existing theoretical data assimilation framework. Two examples illustrate the usefulness of utilizing similarity in data assimilation. The first, theoretical example shows changes in the accuracy of the amplitude estimate in the presence of a phase error in a sine function, where correcting the phase error prior to the assimilation reduces the degree of ill-posedness of the assimilation problem. This signifies the importance of accounting for the phase error in order to reduce the error in the amplitude estimate of the sine function. The second, real-world example illustrates that timing errors in simulated flow degrade the data assimilation performance, and that the flow gradient-informed shifting of rainfall time series improved the assimilation results with less adjusting model states. This demonstrates the benefit of utilizing streamflow gradients in shifting rainfall time series in a way to improve streamflow timing—vital information for flood early warning and preparedness planning. Finally, we discuss the implications, potential issues, and future challenges associated with utilizing similarity in hydrologic data assimilation. Full article

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