Linking variations in large-scale climatic circulation and high groundwater levels in southern England

David A. Lavers, David M. Hannah, Chris Bradley

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Groundwater is a crucial water resource, sustaining ecosystems and providing an essential water source during droughts. In certain geological settings, prolonged high rainfall can generate groundwater flooding, as elevated water tables can lead to rapid stormflow runoff. Herein, we quantify the links between chalk groundwater levels in the Lambourn River basin (a sub-basin of the River Thames) in southern England, and the large-scale climatic circulation. Precipitation, river discharge and groundwater levels from 1964 to 2010 are analysed together with monthly large-scale climate data from the Twentieth Century Reanalysis Project. Results show reasonably strong climate-groundwater connections with a lag time of several months, associated with rainfall transit time through the basin. The patterns uncovered improve understanding of drivers of groundwater level dynamics and provide a basis for strategic water resource planning.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIAHS-AISH Proceedings and Reports
PublisherCopernicus Publications
Pages102-106
Number of pages5
Volume363
ISBN (Print)9781907161414
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Event7th World Flow Regimes from International and Experimental Network Data-Water Conference, FRIEND-Water 2014 - Montpellier, France
Duration: 7 Oct 201410 Oct 2014

Conference

Conference7th World Flow Regimes from International and Experimental Network Data-Water Conference, FRIEND-Water 2014
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityMontpellier
Period7/10/1410/10/14

Keywords

  • Climate
  • Groundwater
  • Hydroclimatology
  • Precipitation
  • River flow
  • River Lambourn
  • Southern England
  • Twentieth Century Reanalysis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Linking variations in large-scale climatic circulation and high groundwater levels in southern England'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this