High groundwater levels: Processes, consequences, and management

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Water, vol. 9

Abstract

Abstract In recent years, the issue of high groundwater levels has caught attention. Unfavorable consequences of high groundwater levels are especially damage to buildings, infrastructure, and the environment. Processes that lead to high groundwater levels are hydrological (heavy or extended rainfall and flood events), or anthropogenic (reduced groundwater extractions, interaction with sewer networks, hydraulic engineering measures, structural interventions in the water balance, and mining activities). Several different map products have been prepared for the information of inhabitants and for planning purposes, and also methods for damage and risk analysis related to high groundwater levels have been developed. Groundwater management measures and structural measures are available to reduce the risk related to high groundwater levels. An operational management system could be combined from existing components, but operational forecasting systems for high groundwater levels are—different to flood forecasting systems—not yet common practice. A better understanding of the processes and the development of integrated approaches for modeling, design, planning, forecasting, and warning, as well as improvement of interdisciplinary collaboration between different organizations, are recommendations for the future. This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Engineering Water Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness Science of Water > Hydrological Processes Science of Water > Water Extremes

Authors 3

1. Bernhard Becker corresponding Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University · Deltares

   Affiliation as printed

   Deltares Delft The Netherlands

   RWTH Aachen University Aachen Germany

   Deltares, Delft, The Netherlands

   RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

2. Daniel Bachmann

   Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal

   Affiliation as printed

   University of applied sciences Magdeburg‐Stendal Magdeburg Germany

   University of applied sciences Magdeburg-Stendal, Magdeburg, Germany

3. Reinhard Schinke

   Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development

   Affiliation as printed

   Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development Dresden Germany

   Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development, Dresden, Germany