Identifying climate drivers of water-cycle changes in the U.S. Northeast and their impact on evapotranspiration, groundwater recharge patterns, and groundwater-surface water connectivityproject…

The University of Massachusetts, through its Office of Grant & Contract Administration, was awarded a $498,999.38 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Geological Survey under the Assistance to State Water Resources Research Institutes program (CFDA 15.805). This 3-year project aims to improve understanding of how climate variability is impacting subsurface water storage and hydrological processes in the Northeastern United States. Key deliverables include: 1) analysis of historical water storage records using machine learning to assess long-term and event-driven hydrological signatures, 2) integration of isotopic water tracers and physical flux measurements to better characterize groundwater recharge timing and amount, and 3) development of integrated hydrological models to project future changes in groundwater infiltration under various climate scenarios. The project will generate new datasets for public use and provide scientific insights to stakeholders such as state environmental and conservation agencies tasked with managing regional water resources.

Identifying climate drivers of water-cycle changes in the U.S. Northeast and their impact on evapotranspiration, groundwater recharge patterns, and groundwater-surface water connectivityproject period: 4 1 2024 through 3 31 2027CHANGES in climate are having profound impacts on how water is moving across the earths landscape. In the northeastern united states, researchers have observed significant changes to the timing of and intensity of precipitation that is impacting all aspects of surface and subsurface hydrological processes. The purpose of this project is to improve the understanding of how climate variability is impacting sub-surface water storage. The project has the specific goal on quantifying past and future patterns of how water is moving into the ground and the resulting impacts of those changes in water storage on other connected hydrological processes. There are three major components of the project. The first involves analysis of historical records of water storage in the subsurface using machine learning approaches to assess long term and event driven hydrological signatures. Secondly, the researchers will integrate isotopic tracers of water reservoirs (precipitation, surface and ground waters) with physical measurements of water flux to improve understanding of timing and amount of subsurface infiltration. Finally, these observations and findings will be used in integrated hydrological models to make inferences on past and future hydrological conditions. Project deliverables will include assessments and projections of changes in groundwater infiltration under various future climate scenarios. Numerous peer-reviewed technical scientific publications are planned. Additionally, new isotopic tracer datasets will be generated and posted to public facing data portals. Project beneficiaries will be various stakeholders across the region including those tasked with managing water resources. Specific examples are state agencies such as departments of environmental protection, departments of conservation. This includes local and regional water authorities and water providers who are struggling with the significant scientific uncertainty around changes in regional hydrology. Of importance is the data sharing and project outcomes with staff and personnel of the united states geological survey. Frequent meetings and technical webinars are planned to update and share key findings and developing methods and approach for integrating results into related works. The researchers expect to develop new methods and approaches for quantifying groundwater recharge and workflows for assessing these changes at specific localities in the US northeast.