Masters Thesis

Field investigation of groundwater recharge and related processes in the Big Chico Creek Watershed

Little is known about the systems that contribute groundwater recharge to the Tuscan Aquifer. Big Chico Creek Watershed is one of many systems that contribute to the recharge of the Tuscan Aquifer and was chosen for this study to learn more about groundwater recharge potential to the Tuscan Aquifer. In this study, in situ infiltration measurements were collected over three different NRCS soil map units that overly the Tuscan Formation by use of a Mini Disk Infiltrometer and the Cornell Sprinkle Infiltrometer. The calculated average infiltration rates for the Mini Disk Infiltrometer and the Cornell Sprinkle Infiltrometer were compared to the precipitation rates for different intensity and recurrence storms found on the NOAA Atlas 14 Point Precipitation Frequency Estimates of California website. In general the natural infiltration of the wildland soils was not limiting to potential groundwater recharge. Groundwater recharge was estimated by use of the USGS Groundwater Toolbox program and its RORA and RECESS functions. Approximately 80 percent of groundwater recharge occurred between the months of December and April, remaining fairly constant over the three analyzed water years. Monthly and annual water budgets were calculated for the Big Chico Creek watershed using independent estimates of groundwater recharge, evapotranspiration, precipitation, and streamflow. The variables for the water years 2008 (critical), 2010 (below normal), and 2013 (dry) were analyzed and the respective annual water budgets were computed and the budgets closely balanced at 99 percent, 94 percent, and 106 percent.

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