The impact of urbanization of wekiva springshed on groudwater

Springs have historically played an important role in Florida’s history and the Wekiva River is a spring-fed system associated with many, possibly 23 springs connected to the Floridan aquifer. Maintaining groundwater recharge to the aquifer is a key factor of the viability of the regional water supply as well as the Wekiva ecosystem. A first principle, physics-based watershed model WASH123D (A Numerical Model Simulating Water Flow and Thermal, Salinity, Sediment, and Water Quality Transport in WAterSHed Systems of 1-D Stream/River Network, 2-D Overland Regime, and 3-D Subsurface Media) has been applied to conduct a study of the Wekiva Springshed, which is the recharge area of the spring. We first introduce the basic hydrogeologic characteristics of the study area. The mathematical basis and numerical approximations of WASH123D are presented in succession. The development of the Wekiva Springshed Model using WASH 123D is detailed followed by a discussion of hydrologic data input. The Wekiva WASH123D model was run to evaluate the average, steady state 1995 hydrological conditions. The distribution of simulated Floridan aquifer system groundwater levels using WASH123D shows very good agreement with the field observations at corresponding locations. Also identified are the areas of recharge to and discharge from the Floridan aquifer system as well as decreases of the spring discharge due to the urbanization.