Statistical and geostatistical investigations into the effects of the Gabcikovo hydropower plant on the groundwater resources of northwest Hungary / Analyses statistiques et géostatistiques des effets de la centrale hydroélectrique de Gabcikovo sur les ressources en eaux souterraines du Nord-Ouest de la Hongrie

Abstract

Abstract The construction of the Gabcikovo hydropower plant and the diversion of the Danube River over 25 km into an artificial channel in 1992 influenced the groundwater regime of the region considerably. Statistical and geostatistical methods are used to quantify changes of different groundwater characteristics on the Hungarian side of the river based on observations in the time period 1960–2000. External drift kriging was used to interpolate groundwater levels and the other related variables. While mean groundwater levels did not change appreciably, there are significant changes in the variability. Standard deviations of the groundwater levels and the amplitude of the annual cycle decreased near the old river bed of the Danube. The water-level fluctuations of the Danube have a decreased influence on the groundwater dynamics. Interrelationships between water levels in wells have also changed.

Keywords:

• geostatistics
• groundwater dynamics
• groundwater level
• hydropower
• stream aquifer interactions
• Gabcikovo scheme
• River Danube
• Hungary
• géostatistiques
• dynamiques hydrogéologiques
• niveau piézométrique
• hydroélectricité
• interactions rivière-aquifère
• projet de Gabcikovo
• Fleuve Danube
• Hongrie

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András Bárdossy

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