Modeling of groundwater level fluctuations in agricultural monitoring sites

The interaction of surface water and groundwater was studied using modeling with regard to climate change. Groundwater level was simulated for reference climate period (1961–1990) and future climate period (2071–2100). Groundwater level difference between minimal and maximal values in both periods as well as seasonal tendencies of water level fluctuations in two monitoring sites Bērze and Mellupīte and impact on drainage runoff was determined. The objective of presented study is to investigate the overall status of fluctuations of groundwater level and to evaluate the possibility to use improved METUL model for the groundwater level modeling. However, it is important to consider that climate change could have a significant impact on many aspects of the hydrological processes, especially on groundwater level fluctuations. Relationship between meteorological conditions and groundwater are determined as seasonal variations of water level. Climate change directly influenced water cycle elements especially shallow groundwater as a significant part of water resources. The results show that groundwater level variations might be higher in the future than currently expected.