Estimation of Basin‐Wide Recharge Rates Using Spring Flow, Precipitation, and Temperature Data

A method is proposed for the estimation of ground‐water recharge rates in karstic aquifers by the analysis of hydrograph recession and multiple regression. Several methods are mentioned of estimating recharge rates by recession analysis of discharge at springs and from which recharge records can be obtained. Recharge (R) can also be estimated from precipitation (P) and air temperature (T) by the formula R = aP – bT + c. The components a, b, and c were derived from time‐series data of four aquifers in the Mediterranean zone. For the first two of these aquifers, the recharge was calculated by integrating spring discharge between two points with the equal flow. For the third aquifer, a more elaborate calculation was based on multiple aquifers with semi logarithmic depletions. A numerical model, SIMERO, was used for the fourth. Given the appropriate correlation coefficients, the procedure is advantageous because of its simplicity. Limiting relationships between P and T are deduced.