Hydraulic Effect of Turbid Water Infiltration Through a Shallow Basin

Schuh, W. M.; Shaver, R. B.; ,

Hydraulic Effect of Turbid Water Infiltration Through a Shallow Basin

by W. M. Schuh, North Dakota State Water Commission, United States,
R. B. Shaver, North Dakota State Water Commission, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Artificial Recharge of Ground Water

Abstract:

A 225 m² test basin was operated from September 1986 through October, 1987, to determine the hydraulic effects of turbid water application. Initial recharge rates of 38 to 42 cm/h for the fully renovated basins declined quickly to less than 0.3 cm/h over 25 days of operation. A 10 day desiccation period resulted in substantial initial recovery of recharge capacity, but the basin resealed quickly and recharge was negligable within 10 days of the commencement of post-desiccation operation. During 10 days of operation, approximately half of the recharge accomplished during the same time period for the fully renovated basin was achieved. A 10 cm organic-mat filter, consisting of composted sunflower seed hulls, enabled the maintenance of high rates of infiltration for longer times, and resulted in a 62 to 92% increase in total recharge for 25 days of operation, compared with the fully renovated tests. For the fully renovated tests, a typical subbasin profile indicated 2 to 5 orders of magnitude increase in impedance for the 0 to 8 cm layer, 0 to 2 orders of magnitude increase for the 8 to 23 cm layer, and 0 to 1 order of magnitude increased impedance for 23 to 38 cm. No clogging was observed beneath 38 cm. Additional study results are discussed.

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