Optimization of Groundwater Exploitation in an Irrigation Area in the Arid Upper Peacock River, NW China: Implications for Sustainable Agriculture and Ecology

Groundwater is the main irrigation water source in Upper Peacock River. As fast enlargement of areas continues recent years, groundwater level declines continuously and has posed a threat to sustainability local agriculture ecology. A numerical model was established with code MODFLOW–2000 order predict declining trend formulate measures counter overexploitation, which river–aquifer interaction elaborated characterized by field survey. The results show that under current intensity withdrawal, levels both unconfined confined waters would decline 7 years from 2015. To stop on regional scale, withdrawal rate should be compressed 45% respect Moreover, taking consideration constraint maintaining ecological vicinity Euphrates Poplar forest study area, 70% for seven towns around forest.