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Coupled Numerical Modeling of Groundwater Flow and Surface Water Interactions
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Coupled Numerical Modeling of Groundwater Flow and Surface Water Interactions

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Hydrogeology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 6564

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Shengchao Yu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Resource Engineering and Center for Water Resources Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
Interests: hydrogeology; groundwater discharge and recharge; offshore freshened groundwater; saltwater intrusion; groundwater flow and reactive transport
Dr. Xiaolang Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Geosciences, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
Interests: hydrogeology; hydro-geochemistry; groundwater numerical modelling; surface water–groundwater interactions; water quality

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Understanding the dynamic interactions between surface water and groundwater systems is critical for effective water resource management, especially in climate change, land use shifts, and increasing anthropogenic pressures. This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in developing and applying integrated modeling approaches that simulate the complex exchange processes between surface and subsurface hydrological domains. We welcome contributions but are not limited to (1) employing innovative numerical techniques, (2) exploring multi-scale coupling strategies, and (3) incorporating real-world data to improve the accuracy and predictability of water flow models. Studies focusing on river–aquifer interactions, wetland hydrodynamics, lake–groundwater systems, seawater–groundwater interactions, and the influence of anthropogenic or climatic factors on surface–subsurface connectivity are particularly welcome. Through this collection, we seek to foster interdisciplinary insights and practical solutions to guide sustainable water resource management across diverse hydrogeological settings.

Dr. Shengchao Yu
Dr. Xiaolang Zhang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • numerical modeling
  • aquifer characterization
  • hydrogeology
  • hydrochemistry
  • groundwater hydrology
  • groundwater flow
  • solute (reactive) transport
  • surface water and groundwater interactions

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 3719 KB  
Article
Quantifying Climate and Residual Non-Climatic Contributions to Runoff Reduction in Major Watersheds of the Chinese Loess Plateau
by Xinyu Yang, Yinuo Shan, Zejiang Wang, Shengnan Zhang and Fubo Zhao
Water 2026, 18(10), 1191; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18101191 - 14 May 2026
Viewed by 134
Abstract
Runoff on the Chinese Loess Plateau has declined substantially over recent decades, but the relative roles of climate change and non-climatic disturbance remain debated. Here, we provide a robust regional attribution of runoff reduction across 14 major catchments during 1961–2009 by integrating seven [...] Read more.
Runoff on the Chinese Loess Plateau has declined substantially over recent decades, but the relative roles of climate change and non-climatic disturbance remain debated. Here, we provide a robust regional attribution of runoff reduction across 14 major catchments during 1961–2009 by integrating seven Budyko-based climate elasticity methods with long-term hydro-meteorological analysis and change-point detection. Across the region, runoff and runoff coefficients decreased markedly, while evapotranspiration and leaf area index increased, indicating a widespread reduction in catchment water yield. Runoff showed consistently greater sensitivity to precipitation than to potential evapotranspiration, highlighting precipitation as the primary climatic control on runoff variability. However, the Budyko-based climatic component explained only part of the observed runoff decline, and the residual component not explained by annual precipitation and potential evapotranspiration was large in many catchments, with estimated contributions generally exceeding 50% and reaching more than 80% in several basins. Independent evidence, including vegetation greening, the expansion of ecological engineering measures, and increasing anthropogenic water demand, suggests that this residual was at least partly associated with human disturbance, although other non-Budyko climatic and hydrological processes may also contribute. These results indicate that annual precipitation and potential evapotranspiration alone cannot explain runoff decline across much of the Loess Plateau and underscore the need to jointly consider climatic forcing, land surface alteration, and direct human water use in regional water management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coupled Numerical Modeling of Groundwater Flow and Surface Water Interactions)
17 pages, 2837 KB  
Article
The Interaction Between Groundwater and Surface Water in the Southern Sector of the Sabatini Mountains Hydrogeological Structure (Central Italy) Using a Comprehensive Hydrogeological and Geochemical Approach
by Gianmarco Mondati, Martina Mattia, Roberto Mazza, Paola Tuccimei, Cristina Di Salvo, Mauro Brilli and Francesca Giustini
Water 2026, 18(9), 1066; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18091066 - 29 Apr 2026
Viewed by 339
Abstract
Groundwater–surface water interactions in volcanic hydrogeological systems represent a key process in river dynamics and were preliminarily investigated along a river draining the southern sector of the Sabatini Mountains (central Italy) using an integrated hydrogeological and geochemical approach. Serial discharge measurements, combined with [...] Read more.
Groundwater–surface water interactions in volcanic hydrogeological systems represent a key process in river dynamics and were preliminarily investigated along a river draining the southern sector of the Sabatini Mountains (central Italy) using an integrated hydrogeological and geochemical approach. Serial discharge measurements, combined with physico-chemical parameters, major ions, stable oxygen isotopes, and radon analyses, reveal marked spatial variability in river–aquifer exchanges along distinct river reaches. The Arrone River exhibits clear differences between upstream, intermediate, and downstream sections, reflecting the relative influence of localized anthropogenic inputs, diffuse groundwater discharge from the volcanic aquifer, and subsurface flow contributions. Upstream reaches are characterized by pronounced modifications in discharge and chemistry, whereas intermediate and downstream reaches show progressive groundwater influence, resulting in distinct geochemical signatures and changes in water quality. Correlation and cluster analyses identify reach-specific processes controlling water composition and support the recognition of gaining and mixed river conditions under varying hydrological regimes. These results constrain a conceptual model in which river behavior is governed by spatially heterogeneous groundwater inflows, modulated by seasonal discharge dynamics and local human pressures. This study highlights the importance of reach-scale investigations for understanding SW–GW interactions in volcanic settings and provides transferable insights relevant to groundwater-dependent river systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coupled Numerical Modeling of Groundwater Flow and Surface Water Interactions)
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20 pages, 5874 KB  
Article
Hydrothermal Resilience of Quebec Rivers: A 3D Modeling Approach to Groundwater’s Cooling Effect During Heat Waves
by Milad Fakhari, Jasmin Raymond and Richard Martel
Water 2026, 18(3), 310; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18030310 - 26 Jan 2026
Viewed by 670
Abstract
Exchanges between ground and surface water strongly influence how rivers thermally respond. Ground-to-surface water connections are particularly important during periods of intense atmospheric heat waves. In salmonid-rich rivers of Quebec, elevated summer temperatures can induce thermal stresses, threatening aquatic ecosystems. This study’s objective [...] Read more.
Exchanges between ground and surface water strongly influence how rivers thermally respond. Ground-to-surface water connections are particularly important during periods of intense atmospheric heat waves. In salmonid-rich rivers of Quebec, elevated summer temperatures can induce thermal stresses, threatening aquatic ecosystems. This study’s objective was to evaluate the influence of groundwater discharge on river water temperature, using a 3D coupled flow and heat transfer model calibrated with one year of field data. The results show that groundwater inflow reduced the peak river temperatures by 1.5–3.2 °C during heat waves, representing up to 40% of the river’s thermal budget under low-flow conditions. In both rivers, groundwater prevented the temperatures from exceeding the 20–22 °C threshold critical for salmonid survival. These findings underscore the importance of integrated hydrothermal modeling for predicting ecological vulnerability under climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coupled Numerical Modeling of Groundwater Flow and Surface Water Interactions)
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23 pages, 2155 KB  
Article
Identification of Groundwater Recharge Potential Zones in Islamabad and Rawalpindi for Sustainable Water Management
by Hijab Zahra, Asif Sajjad, Ghayas Haider Sajid, Mazhar Iqbal and Aqib Hassan Ali Khan
Water 2025, 17(23), 3392; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17233392 - 28 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1758
Abstract
Groundwater is a vital freshwater resource for Pakistan, particularly in the rapidly urbanizing cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. However, rising demand, changing land use, and climate uncertainty pose significant risks to its long-term availability. This study employs the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Remote [...] Read more.
Groundwater is a vital freshwater resource for Pakistan, particularly in the rapidly urbanizing cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. However, rising demand, changing land use, and climate uncertainty pose significant risks to its long-term availability. This study employs the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Remote Sensing (RS), and Geographic Information System (GIS) to map groundwater potential zones (GWPZs). A total of eleven parameters, including Rainfall, slope, elevation, drainage density, soil type, water table depth, land use/land cover (LULC), and remote sensing indices (NDVI, MSI, TWI, and LST), were used for the identification of groundwater potential zones. The results showed that 51.96% of the study area is classified as having “moderate” groundwater potential, while 5.64% and 33.09% are categorized as “very high” and “high” potential zones, respectively. Conversely, 8.25% and 1.04% of the area are classified as “low” and “very low” zones, respectively. Parameters such as steep slopes, urbanization, and high land surface temperatures hinder recharge, whereas gentle slopes, vegetation, and shallow water tables enhance recharge potential. In semi-arid, urbanizing areas, the integrated AHP–GIS–RS techniques provide a reliable and cost-effective method for mapping GWPZs, offering essential decision support for sustainable water resource management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coupled Numerical Modeling of Groundwater Flow and Surface Water Interactions)
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18 pages, 3978 KB  
Article
Effect of Anisotropy on Saline Groundwater Pumping Efficiency for Seawater Intrusion Control
by Youcheng Lv, Bengu Yang, Hongjian Ai, Chongjing Yang, Jie Dong, Rifei Kang, Wenxiang Xu and Peng Yang
Water 2025, 17(16), 2359; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17162359 - 8 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1148
Abstract
Hydraulic conductivity anisotropy critically controls seawater intrusion management in coastal aquifers, and yet its impact on negative hydraulic barriers remains poorly understood. Using three-dimensional density-dependent modeling, this study reveals how varying ratios between horizontal and vertical conductivity influence barrier effectiveness. The results show [...] Read more.
Hydraulic conductivity anisotropy critically controls seawater intrusion management in coastal aquifers, and yet its impact on negative hydraulic barriers remains poorly understood. Using three-dimensional density-dependent modeling, this study reveals how varying ratios between horizontal and vertical conductivity influence barrier effectiveness. The results show that systems where vertical conductivity dominates enhance horizontal flow, but retain more residual salt, while horizontally dominated systems initially accelerate saltwater wedge retreat, but subsequently cause interface destabilization and inland reinvasion. Pumping rate and well depth interact significantly with these anisotropy effects, with higher pumping rates reducing anisotropy-dependent variations and deeper wells activating density-driven convection processes. Optimal barrier design requires careful consideration of competing objectives, as conditions favoring interface stability differ from those maximizing salt removal. These findings establish design principles for hydraulic barriers in anisotropic coastal aquifers, providing critical insights for managing seawater intrusion in increasingly stressed groundwater systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coupled Numerical Modeling of Groundwater Flow and Surface Water Interactions)
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18 pages, 11466 KB  
Article
Water Footprint Through an Analysis of Water Conservation Policy: Comparative Analysis of Water-Intensive and Water-Efficient Crops Using IoT-Driven ML Models
by Mahdi Moudi, Dan Xie, Lin Cao, Hehuai Zhang, Yunchu Zhang and Bahador Bahramimianrood
Water 2025, 17(13), 1964; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17131964 - 30 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1897
Abstract
Although economic profitability and food security often outweigh water conservation priorities in arid and semi-arid regions, this study investigates irrigation practices by evaluating water footprint and economic feasibility through a comparative analysis of water-intensive and water-efficient crops. In this context, an optimal irrigation [...] Read more.
Although economic profitability and food security often outweigh water conservation priorities in arid and semi-arid regions, this study investigates irrigation practices by evaluating water footprint and economic feasibility through a comparative analysis of water-intensive and water-efficient crops. In this context, an optimal irrigation disparity framework integrated with Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning (ML) mechanisms is proposed to evaluate the effectiveness of water conservation, thereby assessing the potential for enhancing economic profitability. IoT-enabled components are employed to monitor real-time environmental—soil moisture, temperature, and weather—conditions between March and November 2023. This data is processed using a hybrid modeling approach that integrates KNN, GBT, and LSTM algorithms to predict both the duration of cultivation and the water requirements. Finally, the predicted parameters are incorporated into a multi-objective framework aimed at minimizing the disparity in water allocation per net benefit. The final results indicate that saffron required substantially less water—ranging from (19.87 to 28.65 ∗ 106 m3)—compared to watermelon, which consumed (34.61 to 47.07 ∗ 106 m3), while achieving a higher average net profit (33 ∗ 109 IRR) relative to watermelon (31 ∗ 109 IRR). Moreover, saffron consistently approached optimal values across disparity-based objective functions, averaging (0.404). These findings emphasize the dual advantages of saffron as a value-added, water-efficient crop in achieving substantial water conservation while enhancing profitability, offering actionable insights for authorities to incentivize water-efficient crop adoption through subsidies, market mechanisms, or regulatory frameworks. These strategies operationalize technical insights into actionable pathways for balancing food security, economic growth, and environmental resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coupled Numerical Modeling of Groundwater Flow and Surface Water Interactions)
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