Mechanisms of irrigation water recharge in the Kongque River Irrigation District of Xinjiang, China

Bin Ran; Wan-yu Zhang; Zai-yong Zhang; Ze-yu Wu

doi:10.26599/JGSE.2025.9280051

Volume 13 Issue 3

Jun. 2025

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Article Navigation > Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering > 2025 > 13(3): 225-236

Ran B, Zhang WY, Zhang ZY, et al. 2025. Mechanisms of irrigation water recharge in the Kongque River Irrigation District of Xinjiang, China. Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 13(3): 225-236 doi: 10.26599/JGSE.2025.9280051

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Mechanisms of irrigation water recharge in the Kongque River Irrigation District of Xinjiang, China

doi: 10.26599/JGSE.2025.9280051

Bin Ran^{1, 2, 3},
Wan-yu Zhang^{1, 2, 3},
Zai-yong Zhang^{1, 2, 3
,
,},
Ze-yu Wu^{1, 2, 3}

1.
Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effect in Arid Region of the Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710054, China
2.
School of Water and Environment, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710054, China
3.
Key Laboratory of Eco-hydrology and Water Security in Arid and Semi-arid Regions of Ministry of Water Resources, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710054, China

More Information

Corresponding author: zaiyongzhang@126.com
Received Date: 2024-10-10
Accepted Date: 2025-03-15

Available Online: 2025-08-08

Publish Date: 2025-06-30

Abstract

Abstract

Understanding the infiltration process and quantifying recharge are critical for effective water resources management, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. However, factors influencing on recharge process under different land use types in irrigation districts remain unclear. In this study, a Brilliant Blue FCF dye tracer experiment was conducted to investigate infiltration pathways under the cotton field, pear orchard, and bare land conditions in the Kongque Rive Irrigation District of Xinjiang, China. Recharge rates were estimated using the chloride mass balance method. The results show that the average preferential flow ratio was highest in the bare land (50.42%), followed by the cotton field (30.09%) and pear orchard (23.59%). Matrix flow was the dominant infiltration pathway in the pear orchard and cotton field. Irrigation method was a primary factor influencing recharge rates, with surface irrigation promoting deeper infiltration compared to drip irrigation. Under the drip irrigation mode, the recharge of cotton fields ranged from 23.47 mm/a to 59.16 mm/a. In comparison, the recharge of surface irrigation in pear orchards contributed between 154.30 mm/a and 401.65 mm/a. These findings provide valuable insights into soil water infiltration and recharge processes under typical land use conditions in the Kongque River Irrigation District, supporting improved irrigation management and sustainable water resource utilization.
- Infiltration,
- Matrix flow,
- Chloride mass balance,
- Recharge,
- Kongque River Irrigation District,
- Arid regions

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References(24)

References

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