Attempting to estimate the influence of wildfires on water levels of alluvial aquifers in Western Kansas

Keywords: Kansas, wildfires, Alluvial Aquifer, groundwater levels, soil distribution, remote sensing imagery
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

Wildfires are prevalent events in many areas throughout the world, and this study specifically focuses on wildfires in Western Kansas. The aim of this study is to determine relationships between the landscape, alluvial aquifers, and five wildfires to determine possible relationships between these wildfires and groundwater levels. Ideally, water levels from wells within and outside wildfires would be utilized; however, due to the limited number of wells with actual water level measurements in this region, remote sensing imagery coupled with land cover, soil distribution, and soil moisture maps will be utilized to estimate the contribution of wildfires to water level changes. Since the direct groundwater level changes are not able to be determined, external parameters and proxies will need to be used and compared to other regions with adequate well data.