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This article throws light upon the top nine methods of groundwater recharge. The methods are: 1. Spreading Basins 2. Recharge Pits and Shafts 3. Ditches 4. Recharge Wells 5. Harvesting in Cistern from Hill Sides 6. Subsurface Dams 7. Farm Ponds 8. Historical Large Well across Streamlet 9. Check Dams.
Method # 1. Spreading Basins:
This method involves surface flooding of water in basins that are excavated in the existing terrain. For effective recharge highly permeable soils are suitable and maintenance of a layer of water over the highly permeable soil is necessary. When direct discharge is practised the amount of water entering the aquifer depends on three factors—the infiltration rate, the percolation rate, and the capacity for horizontal water movement.
At the surface of aquifer, however, clogging occurs by deposition of particles carried by water in suspension or in solution, by algae growth, colloidal swelling and soil dispersion, microbial activity, etc. Recharge by spreading basins is most effective where there are layer below the land surface and the aquifer and where clear water is available for recharge.
Method # 2. Recharge Pits and Shafts:
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Conditions that permit surface flooding methods for artificial recharge are relatively rare. Often lenses of low permeability lie between the land surface and water table. In such situation artificial recharge systems such as pits and shafts could be effective in order to access the dewatered aquifer. The rate of recharge has been being found to increase as the side slope of the pits increased.
Unfiltered runoff water leaves a thin film of sediments on the sides and bottom of the pits, which require maintenance in order to sustain the high recharge rates. Shafts may be circular, rectangular or square cross-section and may be back filled by porous materials.
Excavation may be terminating above the water table. Recharge rates in both shafts and pits may decrease with time due to accumulation of fine-grained materials and the plugging effect brought by microbial activity.
Method # 3. Ditches:
A ditch is described as a long narrow trench, with its bottom width less than its depth. A ditch system is designed to suit topographic and geological condition that exists at the given site. A layout for a ditch and flooding recharge project could include a series of trenches running down the topographic slope.
The ditches could terminate in a collection ditch designed to carry away the water that does not infiltrate in order to avoid ponding and to reduce the accumulation of fine materials.
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Method # 4. Recharge Wells:
Recharge or injection wells are used to directly recharge the deep-water bearing strata. Recharge wells could be dug through the material overlaying the aquifer and if the earth materials are unconsolidated, a screen can be placed in the well in zone of injection.
Recharge wells are suitable only in areas where thick impervious layer exists between the surface of the soil and the aquifer to be replenished. They are also advantageous in areas where land is scarce. A relatively high rate of recharge can be attained by this method. Clogging of the well screen or aquifer may lead to excessive buildup of water level in the recharge well.
Method # 5. Harvesting in Cistern from Hill Sides:
In this method construction of small drains along contours of hilly area are done so that the runoff in these drains are collected in a cistern, which is located at the bottom of a hill or a mountain. This water is used for irrigation or for drinking purpose and the water is of good quality.
Method # 6. Subsurface Dams:
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Ground water moves from higher-pressure head to lower one. This will help in semi-arid zone regions especially in upper reaches where the ground water velocity is high. By exploiting more ground water in upper reaches more surface water can be utilized indirectly, thereby reducing inflow into lower reaches of supply. Ground water is stored either in natural aquifer materials in sub-surface dams or in artificial sand storage dam.
Method # 7. Farm Ponds:
These are traditional structures in rain water harvesting. Farm ponds are small storage structures collecting and storing runoff waste for drinking as well as irrigation purposes. As per the method of construction and their suitability for different topographic conditions farm ponds are classified into three categories such as excavated farm ponds suited for flat topography, embankment ponds suited for hilly and ragged terrains and excavated cum embankment type ponds.
Selection of location of farm ponds depend on several factors such as rainfall, land topography, soil type, texture, permeability, water holding capacity, land-use pattern, etc.
Method # 8. Historical Large Well across Streamlet:
If any historical wells are located near the streamlet, then allow the water into the well from streamlet by connecting drains. In this case the historical wells act as a recharge well so that ground water can be improved.
Method # 9. Check Dams:
Check dams are small barriers built across the direction of water flow on shallow river and streams for the purpose of rain water harvesting. The small dams retain excess water flow during monsoon rains in a small catchment area behind the structure.
Pressures created in the catchments area send the impounded water into the ground. The major environmental benefit is the replenishment of nearby ground water reserves and wells. The most common case of check dams is to decrease the slope and velocity of a stream to control erosion (Fig. 14.2).
