Streamflow depletion caused by groundwater pumping: Fundamental research priorities for management-relevant science

Authors: ZIPPER, S. - Kansas Geological Survey; BROOKFIELD, A. - University Of Waterloo; AJAMI, H. - University Of California, Riverside; AYERS, J.R. - University Of California Berkeley; BEIGHTEL, C. - Kansas Department Of Agriculture; FIENEN, M. - Us Geological Survey (USGS); GLEESON, T. - University Of Victoria; HAMMOND, J. - Us Geological Survey (USGS); HILL, M. - University Of Kansas; KENDALL, A.D. - Michigan State University; KERR, B. - Foundry Spatial; Lapides, Dana; PORTER, M. - University Of Kansas; PARIMALARENGANAYAKI, S. - Adhiparasakthi Agricultural College; ROHDE, M.M. - State University Of New York (SUNY); WARDROPPER, C. - University Of Illinois

Submitted to: Water Resources Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/20/2024
Publication Date: 5/6/2024
Citation: Zipper, S., Brookfield, A., Ajami, H., Ayers, J., Beightel, C., Fienen, M., Gleeson, T., Hammond, J., Hill, M., Kendall, A., Kerr, B., Lapides, D.A., Porter, M., Parimalarenganayaki, S., Rohde, M., Wardropper, C. 2024. Streamflow depletion caused by groundwater pumping: Fundamental research priorities for management-relevant science. Water Resources Research. 60(5). Article e2023WR035727. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023WR035727.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2023WR035727

Interpretive Summary: Human groundwater use can reduce streamflow, called 'streamflow depletion.' Streamflow depletion can have wide-reaching implications from impacts on riverine and riparian ecosystems to impacts on recreation or culturally important food sources. In this work, we highlight research priorities to help advance streamflow depletion science and better serve the decision-making process for managers tasked with managing the impacts of streamflow depletion. Key priorities include linking streamflow depletion to quantitave impacts on social and ecological systems, evaluating the influence of model selection on streamflow depletion estimates to guide appropriate tool use, developing improved input and evaluation datasets, and studying water management decision-support processes.

Technical Abstract: Reductions in streamflow caused by groundwater pumping, known as ‘streamflow depletion’, links the fundamental hydrologic process of stream-aquifer interactions to human modifications of the water cycle. Interacting stressors like climate and land use change make isolating the impact of groundwater pumping on streamflow particularly critical to integrated groundwater and surface water management. Here, we highlight research priorities to help advance streamflow depletion science and better serve the decision-making process. Key priorities include linking streamflow depletion to social and ecological outcomes, evaluating the influence of model selection on streamflow depletion estimates to guide appropriate tool use, developing improved input and evaluation datasets, and studying water management decision-support processes. These diverse priorities will require both disciplinary advances within the water science community and an enduring commitment to transdisciplinary collaboration with diverse groundwater-connected disciplines. Catalyzing these research efforts around the common goal of improving our streamflow depletion decision support capabilities would be facilitated by dedicated national and international research coordination.