Project Number:
DNR-196
Funding Year:
2006
Contract Period:
7/1/2006 - 6/30/2008
Funding Source:
DNR
Investigator(s):
PIs:- Katherine Clancy
- George Kraft, UW-Stevens Point
Abstract:
Groundwater pumping in the central Wisconsin area has long been estimated to adversely affect streamflows and the levels of groundwater and streams. Recent flow impairments for the Little Plover (stream reaches went dry) were hypothesized by some to be caused by drought and/or by pumping. The work performed here clarifies the role of drought and pumping for the Little Plover, and by extension sheds light on pumping effects on central Wisconsin water resources.
Objectives
The project objective was to gain an understanding of the role of groundwater pumping on Little Plover River discharges, project what discharges would be in the absence of pumping, and develop knowledge and tools for advancing a groundwater management in the vicinity of the Little Plover River.
Methods
Little Plover discharges in the absence of pumping and amounts of “missing” discharge were estimated quantitatively through statistical methods and groundwater flow modeling. Expected present-day discharges of the Little Plover were determined by comparing Little Plover flows during the gauged period (1959-1986) to other nearby gauges and extrapolating relationships into the future.
A groundwater flow model was developed using MODFLOW to determine diversions from the Little Plover River by agricultural, municipal, and industrial wellheads. Model scenarios were run with 2005 and 2006 pumpage assumptions.
Current climate data including NOAA records of temperature, precipitation, and drought indices for Central Wisconsin were compared to Little Plover low flows from USGS gauging station data from 1960 through 1986 record at Hoover Rd.