Title |
Proposing Improved Management Plans for Groundwater Resources Near Rivers in Korea |
Authors |
정일문(Chung, Il-Moon);이정우(Lee, Jeongwoo) |
DOI |
https://doi.org/10.12652/Ksce.2025.45.3.0359 |
Keywords |
Groundwater management, River connectivity, Streamflow depletion, SWAT-MODFLOW |
Abstract |
This study proposes institutional and technical improvements for integrated water resources management with considering the impact of grounwater use in river-adjacent areas on streamflow. Hydrological connectivity between groundwater and surface water can significantly affect river ecosystems and downstream stakeholders, particularly during the dry season. However, current management framework in South Korea treats groundwater and surface water as separate systems, limiting its ability to evaluate and respond to impacts, such as massive abstractions. This study presents pilot applications of the SWAT-MODFLOW integrated model and impact-zone mapping techniques. It also emphasizes the need for institutional reform, including harmonization of the Groundwater and River Acts, establishment of a joint permitting system, and introduction of a total quantity control scheme. Drawing on international case studies, this study reinterprets the key elements of integrated management in the Korean context and outlines a transition pathway toward integrated water governance based on scientific modeling, legal reform, and stakeholder engagement. |