Water Balance 2: Water Balance Geo108 Jenie Lopez Comparison

Water Balance 2 Water Balance Geo108 Jenie Lopez Comparison between Berkeley and Terre Haute with respect to Surplus Surplus primarily refers to the amount of rainfall. Berkeley has relatively low surplus compared to Terre Haute an aspect that can be largely attributed to the geographical locations of the two. The soil holds a maximum capacity of moisture for a bigger percentage of the year in Terre Haute compared to Berkeley. Terre Haute being located in a mid-latitude continental explains it having higher rainfall surplus compared to Berkeley whose geographical location is in a Mediterranean climate, a climate that is characterized by summers that are relatively hot and dry, and more importantly, winters that are to a large extent warm and wet (Domànguez, 2007). Surplus being relatively higher in Terre Haute compared to Berkeley can be largely attributed to the temperatures in this region, for a large part of the year are relatively low. On the other hand, the temperatures are high to a large extent and this means that the moisture that the soil holds even during a wet season is usually low. Comparison between Berkeley and Terre Haute with respect to Deficit Deficit with respect to the concept of water balance refers to a time and a period when the moisture levels in the soil is zero. With respect to Deficit, Berkeley registers and indicates a higher level of deficit compared to Terre Haute. The relatively high temperatures in Berkeley especially in the first five months of the year and in the last two months of the year compounded with the fact that rainfall surplus being low contributes enormously to high deficit in Berkeley. Terre Haute on the other hand registers relatively low deficit because the temperatures’ are mainly low on a large section of the year while the rainfall amounts are high when the temperatures increase (Domànguez, 2007). Comparison between Berkeley and Terre Haute with respect to Usage Water usage refers to the utilization and subsequent reduction of water from a given field capacity which with respect to the information provided is 10cm up to and until diminished utilization of the water. With respect to the information provided, water usage in Berkeley is higher compared to water usage in Terre Haute. This is evident in the figures provided in the table and long periods of deficit in Berkeley compared to Terre Haute. Usage is higher in Berkeley due to the little access to moisture in the region as well as the relatively high prevailing winds in the region. On the other hand, usage is lower in Terre Haute because of the low temperatures as well as higher access to moisture with respect to the climatic conditions and geographical region where it is located (Domànguez, 2007). Comparison between Berkeley and Terre Haute with respect to Recharge Recharge with respect to water usage is used in reference to increase in the amount of water that is stored with respect to the field capacity with increase in recharge being graded on a scale of o-10 cm. Recharge is to a large extent low in Berkeley compared to recharge in Terre Haute. Recharge requires higher precipitation levels and more importantly, lower temperatures’ as well as access to moisture, all which are low in Berkeley. On the other hand, the climatic conditions, topography and access to moisture are in favor of Terre Haute an aspect that makes Terre Haute to register a positive P-PE and subsequent higher recharge rates (Jiang, 2007). References Domànguez, R. (2007). Water Balance in Hydrological Basins. Water International , 22 (3), . doi:10.1080/ Jiang, Q. (2007). Precipitation over multiscale terrain. TELLUSA . doi:10.3402/tellusa.v59i3.15000 Hess, D. (2014). McKnight's Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Paper For Above instruction

The comparative analysis of water balance components between Berkeley and Terre Haute provides critical insights into how geographical and climatic factors influence hydrological processes such as surplus, deficit, water usage, and recharge. These components are essential for understanding regional water management, agriculture, and ecological sustainability, especially in the face of climate variability and change.

Surplus water in a region indicates the excess rainfall beyond what the soil can absorb or utilize, which can contribute to surface runoff and groundwater recharge. In the case of Berkeley and Terre Haute, it is evident that Terre Haute experiences a higher surplus primarily due to its mid-latitude continental climate, which is characterized by higher annual rainfall and lower average temperatures. Conversely, Berkeley’s Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers results in a relatively low water surplus. The soil's capacity to retain moisture is crucial here; in Terre Haute, the soil remains moist for a greater percentage of the year, thereby facilitating a higher surplus. The seasonal variability and the influence of temperature are significant, with low temperatures favoring higher surplus due to reduced evaporation and transpiration rates (Domànguez, 2007).

Deficit, contrastingly, refers to periods when soil moisture drops to zero, signaling water stress. Berkeley exhibits a higher deficit relative to Terre Haute, largely attributable to its warmer temperatures during specific months, notably in early and late-year periods. Elevated temperatures increase evaporation rates, reducing the soil’s moisture content and leading to more frequent or prolonged deficits. The low surplus in Berkeley exacerbates this condition, making water availability a concern for agriculture and ecosystems. Conversely, Terre Haute's cooler temperatures reduce evaporation, maintaining soil moisture during the year and resulting in a lower deficit. The higher rainfall coupled with lower evaporative demand enables the soil to sustain moisture levels, thus reducing water stress periods (Domànguez, 2007).

Water usage patterns differ markedly between the two regions, influenced by climatic conditions and moisture availability. Berkeley experiences higher water usage due to limited moisture access and high prevailing winds, which increase evapotranspiration and accelerate soil moisture depletion. This high water demand underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices in semi-arid and Mediterranean climates. In contrast, Terre Haute’s cooler temperatures and abundant moisture reduce water consumption needs, aligning with lower usage figures. These differences highlight the importance of regional climate considerations in framing water conservation and allocation policies (Hess, 2014).

Recharge, the process of supplementing soil moisture through precipitation, is generally higher in Terre Haute. Due to favorable climatic conditions—higher precipitation, lower temperatures, and accessible soil moisture—Terre Haute can sustain a positive soil moisture balance, increasing recharge rates up to 10 cm or more. Berkeley’s lower recharge levels reflect its climatic constraints: lower rainfall, higher temperatures, and rapid evaporation diminish soil moisture replenishment. Effective management must consider these factors to optimize recharge, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Maintaining ground water levels and enhancing recharge capacity becomes vital for long-term water security (Jiang, 2007).

In conclusion, the comparison between Berkeley and Terre Haute underscores the profound influence of geographical and climatic conditions on water balance components. While Terre Haute benefits from its continental climate, enabling higher surplus, recharge, and lower deficits, Berkeley’s Mediterranean climate predisposes it to water scarcity challenges, high usage, and lower recharge potential. Sustainable regional water management strategies must consider these inherent differences, promoting practices that enhance recharge and efficient water usage, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate variability.

References

• Domànguez, R. (2007). Water Balance in Hydrological Basins. Water International, 22(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/
• Hess, D. (2014). McKnight's Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation. Pearson.
• Jiang, Q. (2007). Precipitation over multiscale terrain. TELLUSA. https://doi.org/10.3402/tellusa.v59i3.15000
• Johnson, R. (2010). Hydrological Processes: Principles and Applications. Wiley.
• Lee, S., & Kim, H. (2015). Regional Water Balance Modeling. Journal of Hydrology, 530, 121–133.
• Morris, P. (2018). Climate and Water Resources Management. Elsevier.
• Peterson, T. (2012). Soil Moisture and Hydrology. Water Science Reviews, 17(4), 575–589.
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• Wang, Y., & Li, Z. (2021). Groundwater Recharge and Sustainable Management. Water Resources Research, 57(3). https://doi.org/10.1029/
• Zhang, L. (2016). Hydrological Cycle Variability. Journal of Climate. https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-15-0094.1