Research Project Summary: A Method for Evaluating Ground-Water-Recharge Areas in New Jersey

Ground-water recharge is defined as precipitation upon a given area, less those volumes of water which are diverted by surface runoff, evapotranspiration, or by the filling of soil-moisture deficits. The resulting ground water is vital for aquifer recharge, stream base flow, and wetlands recharge. Preserving ground-water-recharge areas is vital to protecting ground-water users and ecosystems. This report summary presents a graphically-based method for evaluating ground-water recharge. It requires knowledge of an area's soil types, land use and land cover. Factors based on these characteristics, as well as a climate factor based on the municipality, are provided in the report.This work was initially funded by the New Jersey Legislature (NJSA 58:11A,12-16 et. seq.) and is currently funded by the 1981 Water Bond Act