Optimizing groundwater recharge plan in North China Plain to repair shallow groundwater depression zone, China

The North China Plain is one of the main grain producing areas in China. However, over-exploitation has long been unsustainable since water supply mainly from groundwater. Since 2014, South-to-North Water Diversion Project’s central route charted to integrated management and over-exploitation, which alleviated problem a certain extent. Although Ministry Resources made many efforts on groundwater recharge 2018 most have successful, not yet sufficiently focused repair shallow depression zones. It still needs further optimization. This paper discusses this particular issue, proposes optimized plan provides following recommendations: (1) Seven priority target are selected for alluvial proluvial fans piedmont plain, storage capacity estimated be 181.00×108 m3; (2) A 31.18×108 m3/a required by 2035 achieve target; (3) proposed increase Hutuo River, Dasha River Tanghe 19.00×108 rehabilitate Gaoliqing-Ningbailong Depression Zone; Fuyang Zhanghe Anyang 7.05×108 Handan Feixiang-Guangping Luanhe 0.56×108 restore Tanghai Zone Luanan-Leting moderately reduce amount recharged Canal Yongding prevent excessive rebound groundwater; (4) Recharge through well implemented pilot basis severe urban ground subsidence coastal saltwater intrusion; (5) An early warning mechanism quality risks established ensure safety. numerical flow model also proves reasonable level restoration zones 2035.