Groundwater Level Monitoring Model Using Multi-temporal Images in Arid Region of Northwest China

For the frangible ecological environment, it is very important to reasonably develop and utilize groundwater resources in Northwest China. Shallow groundwater level is an essential factor related to the eco-environmental problems such as oasis degeneration and land salinification. The lack of groundwater dynamic data is a critical concern for water resources management in the arid region. This paper aims at the development of groundwater level information model with remotely sensed data, combined with the well observations and field investigation. The method is based on the basic fact that the surface soil water moisture is observably related to the shallow groundwater level because of the very few precipitation in the lower plain of inner arid land basin. The analysis models for soil water content and radiation of remote sensing image are established, and then the remotely sensed data based groundwater level monitoring model is developed by using multi-temporal MODIS images. The models are demonstrated in the Shule River Basin which is located in Hexi Corridor, Gansu province of China. The research results could provide effective tools for the hydrology research, and support the sustainable water resources development and management in arid regions. * Corresponding author.