Efficient Conjunctive Use of Surface and Groundwater Can Prevent Seasonal Death of Non-Glacial Linked Rivers in Groundwater Stressed Areas

The surface and groundwater system is an interdependent system. In the case of alluvial plains, they are best manifested by the relationship between a river and groundwater system. This relationship is vibrant and dynamic in rain-fed rivers or the non-glacial linked rivers. It has been typically observed that many a case such rivers originate from lesser elevation and in downstream stretches; during summers, their flow is maintained by groundwater contribution. In groundwater stressed regions, often these rivers get disconnected from aquifer. Thus there could be different levels of stream-aquifer interaction during monsoon and non monsoon seasons. In this context, the article examines effect of long-term groundwater abstraction on such river flows in a conceptual framework. It also proposes efficient conjunctive use of surface and groundwater to prevent death of such rivers.