Improving the water table fluctuation method to estimate groundwater recharge below thick vadose zones

The water table fluctuation (WTF) method is popular for groundwater recharge (GR) estimation, but its accuracy is challenged when applied in areas with thick vadose zones because of the signal lag and attenuation with depth and uncertainties from barometric pressure effect and lateral flow. The improvement of WTF method used linear regression method and Darcy's law, and has been assessed to give satisfactory results. Particularly, the improved method presented lower GR (20%-34%) relative to the conventional method. GR decreased from the centre to the edge of the tableland. The regional average GR was 63-81 mm year−1, equivalent to 11%-14% of annual average rainfall. Lag times between recharge and rainfall ranged from one to nine months. Rainfall and vegetation dominated the spatiotemporal variability of GR. Our study provides reference and technical support for GR estimation with WTF method in the regions with thick vadose zone.