Distributed recharge estimation for groundwater modeling using wets pass model : case study-Gaza Strip, Palestine

Abstract EN

Regional groundwater models used for analyzing groundwater systems (infiltration–discharge relations) are often steady state and, therefore, need long-term average recharge input.

On the other hand, the spatial variation in the recharge due to distributed land-use, soil type or texture, slope, groundwater level, meteorological conditions, etc., can be significant and should, therefore, be taken into account.

Hence, Wets pass was developed as a physically based methodology for estimation of long-term average spatial patterns of surface runoff, actual evapotranspiration, and groundwater recharge.

The model is especially suitable for studying effects of land-use changes on the water regime in a basin.

The computer model was integrated in the GIS ArcView.

Its set-up is extremely flexible ; it allows easy new definition of natural or man-made land-use types.

This paper describes the concept of the model and gives an example of a developed Wets pass recharge map for the Gaza Strip, Palestine.