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#           Where groundwater seeps: Evaluating modeled groundwater discharge patterns with thermal infrared surveys at the river-network scale      

      February 1, 2022    

Predicting baseflow dynamics, protecting aquatic habitat, and managing legacy contaminants requires explicit characterization and prediction of groundwater discharge patterns throughout river networks. Using handheld thermal infrared (TIR) cameras, we surveyed 47 km of stream length across the Farmington River watershed (1,570 km2; CT and MA, USA), mapping locations of bank and waterline groundwater discharges based on their thermal signature. Using the observed groundwater discharge locations and predicted groundwater discharge rates from 6 variations of a numerical groundwater-flow model (MODFLOW-NWT), we compared 1) predicted groundwater-discharge rates in areas with and without observed groundwater discharge, 2) spatial patterns of observed and predicted groundwater discharge locations, and 3) density of observed groundwater discharge locations with predicted discharge rates. Five of six models reasonably predicted the spatial patterns of discharge locations along the 5th order mainstem, but fewer models predicted groundwater discharge patterns in smaller streams. Our results highlight 1) the feasibility of using TIR observations to evaluate groundwater models, 2) model parameters that influence discharge prediction accuracy (riverbed sediment and bedrock hydraulic conductivity and river-aquifer connections), and 3) current strengths and future opportunities for improved modeling of groundwater-discharge patterns.

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January 10, 2020

####                 Thermal Infrared images and field data on areas of groundwater discharge in the Farmington River watershed              

Water Resources Mission Area

#### Janet Barclay

##### Hydrologist

New England Water Science Center

jbarclay@usgs.gov

860-291-6763

#### Martin A. Briggs

##### Research Hydrologist

Water Resources Mission Area

mbriggs@usgs.gov

####             Jon Jeffrey Starn, Ph.D. (Former Employee)          

##### Research Hydrologist

New England Water Science Center

## Related Content

January 10, 2020

####                 Thermal Infrared images and field data on areas of groundwater discharge in the Farmington River watershed              

Water Resources Mission Area

#### Janet Barclay

##### Hydrologist

New England Water Science Center

jbarclay@usgs.gov

860-291-6763

#### Martin A. Briggs

##### Research Hydrologist

Water Resources Mission Area

mbriggs@usgs.gov

####             Jon Jeffrey Starn, Ph.D. (Former Employee)          

##### Research Hydrologist

New England Water Science Center

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####               New England Water Science Center          

10 Bearfoot RdNorthborough, MA01532United States

####             Water Resources Mission Area - Headquarters        

USGS Headquarters12201 Sunrise Valley DriveReston, VA20192United States

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