Modeling the Recovery of the Spring Flow and Groundwater Level in a Depleted Karst Aquifer - A Case Study of the Jinci Spring

A reservoir model is developed to characterize the functioning of the karst aquifer of the Jinci Spring. It is based on the relationship of the groundwater storage deficit and the groundwater level. The relationship is derived from the monitoring data of the aquifer. The model is verified with the monitoring data (1981-2006) and is used to predict the recovery of the Jinci Spring flow and the groundwater level in the aquifer under three exploitation schemes with the future rainfall data provided by the National Climate Center (NCC). The results show that the Jinci Spring will flow out again before 2050 under Scheme I and II. The Xuan Spring will flow out earlier than the Jinci Spring. However, both of the two springs cannot spout under Scheme III. The model takes account of the artificial recharge, pumping and coal mine drainage, and can simulate the spring discharge, karst groundwater level and the storage deficit accurately at an annual time scale. The model is suitable for macroscopic groundwater management.