Date of Award
January 2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Geological Engineering
First Advisor
Taufique Mahmood
Abstract
The impacts of snowmelt recharge on water table fluctuations in cold region unconfined aquifers are critical for understanding groundwater dynamics, particularly in regions where snowmelt is a primary source of recharge. This thesis investigates the temporal and spatial variations in water table fluctuations in response to snowmelt events, examining the impact of snowfall and temperature. The study was conducted in the Oakes Aquifer with an unconfined aquifer system, rainfall and snowfall data were collected from North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN, 2024) stations in Oakes, ND as well as National Weather Service (NWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stations in Lisbon, ND. IDW (Inverse Distance Weighting) was used to create a continuous map that visually represents how the water table rises or falls across the area. Results indicate that snowmelt significantly influences water table fluctuations, with higher snowfall corresponding to more distinct rises in the water table. Spatial variability in water table responses was observed, Soil permeability and frozen ground depth were found to strongly influence the extent of infiltration, with higher permeability and shallower frozen ground enabling greater recharge and more rapid water table rises. Also, temperature was found to affect snowmelt timing and intensity, with warmer temperatures leading to earlier snowmelt and quicker water table fluctuations. The results show that snowmelt is a key source of recharge in cold-region unconfined aquifers, but water table responses vary by location and time due to local conditions. The study has important implications for groundwater management, especially under varying climatic conditions, as shifts in snowmelt timing and intensity could lead to altered groundwater recharge patterns. Future study is recommended to explore long-term monitoring, climate modeling, and cross-regional comparisons to further enhance our understanding of snowmelt-driven groundwater recharge in the Oakes Aquifer.
Recommended Citation
Antwi, Fred Amponsah, "Impacts Of Snowmelt Recharge On Water Table Fluctuations In A Cold Region Unconfined Aquifer" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 7494.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/7494