The goal of this work is to investigate the influence of overburden cover on controlling recharge to a bedrock aquifer, specifically focusing on rapid recharge events. Rapid recharge events have been observed in a fractured rock site in eastern Ontario and fractured rock sites around the world. The mechanisms that cause these events are poorly understood. At a field site near Perth, Ontario, measurements of hydraulic head were obtained in the spring and summer of 2012 using 18 different monitoring wells. Rainfall and weather data were also collected. Infiltration experiments were performed in the summer period using a 10 m by 10 m rainfall simulator. A ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey was conducted around a piezometer to determine depth to bedrock. Permeameter tests were performed in the overburden layer. A piezometer which responds rapidly to rainfall was identified and field measurements and observations were used to numerically model the piezometer on an outcrop. Three-dimensional numerical simulations reproduced the response in the piezometer for both short (24 hour) and long (one month) timescales. An equivalent porous media (EPM) approach was taken to numerically model fractured rock. The numerical simulations for a month-long period required that evapotranspiration was accounted for and this was achieved by limiting applied rainfall to the area above the outcrop in the model. Numerical simulations were also used to determine what parameters have the greatest effect on controlling rapid recharge. Based on this study it was concluded that large magnitude head rises recorded in this piezometer are a result of recharge to the shallow aquifer. Hydraulic head rises rapidly because of transmissive vertical fractures connecting the low specific yield rock to the surface. A thin layer of overburden (0.4 m) can completely eliminate response in the well especially during times when evapotranspiration is high. / Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-10-15 14:29:12.225

Groundwater recharge estimation is of fundamental significance to meet the agricultural water requirements, optimize water budget management, and further the sustainable development of water resources, particularly on coarse textured soil due to their rapid drainage behavior. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the feasibility and robustness of groundwater recharge estimation using one-dimensional physically based modelling coupled with weather stations and to interpolate the point estimates of recharge to a regional scale.Since the modelling results from different study areas coincided well with other studies, this method is feasible and robust to produce reliable point estimates of recharge universally. Four methods of recharge interpolation were applied in the second study area and were cross-validated by means of true percent error between the simulated and predicted recharge.The best prediction (7.8% true percent error) was obtained by ordinary kriging. Therefore, the methods of using physically based vadose zone modelling and kriging to estimate both points and regional recharge on coarse textured soil are feasible and extendable. / February 2017

Thesis (M.S. - Geosciences)--University of Arizona. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Montana, 2006. / Title from title screen. Description based on contents viewed Mar. 23, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 94-96).

Thesis (M.S. - Hydrology and Water Resources)--University of Arizona. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-105).

Thesis (M.S. - Hydrology and water Resources)--University of Arizona, 1983. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-81).

Thesis (Ph. D. - Hydrology and Water Resources)--University of Arizona, 1984. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 243-250).

Thesis (M.S. - Hydrology and Water Resources)--University of Arizona, 1986. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-142).

Thesis (M.S. - Hydrology and Water Resources)--University of Arizona, 1985. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 103-106).

Thesis (M.S. - Hydrology and Water Resources)--University of Arizona, 1989. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 124-125).