A C++ tool to estimate land-use impacts on groundwater nitrate
concentrations observed at high-capacity pumping wells in an unconfined
glacial aquifer.
Abstract
Shallow glacial aquifers systems are the primary source of drinking
water for millions of residents in the upper Midwest and Great Lakes
regions of the United States. Studies show that a significant number of
municipal and private groundwater wells in these regions are impacted by
high nitrate concentrations, which can have negative health impacts for
humans. Reducing nitrate contamination through good land management
practices will reduce the need for costly nitrate treatment systems and
help mitigate other ecological concerns related to nutrient pollution of
groundwater. This study presents a Python-based modelling tool that uses
a local groundwater flow model and historical land use data (USDA
CropScape) to estimate nitrate concentrations at a high-capacity pumping
well. Nitrate concentrations predicted by this model are within 5% of
median annual values observed at a study site in Waupaca, WI. The model
is user-friendly and can easily be adapted to other locations, where it
has the potential to help local and state agencies, landowners, and
growers make cost-effective decisions about land-use and agricultural
practices.