2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Hydrologic Characterization of The Wilson Canyon Recharge Site in Southern Idaho

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-24-2026

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Qifei Niu

Abstract

Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is an increasingly important water management strategy in semi-arid regions where groundwater resources are heavily used for agriculture and municipal supply. Understanding how surface water moves through and recharges local aquifer systems is essential for sustainable groundwater management. This project investigates the hydrologic behavior of the designated Wilson Canyon Recharge Site in southern Idaho, with the goal of characterizing groundwater flow patterns and subsurface dynamics associated with recharge activities. A particular focus of this research is evaluating whether a hypothesized subsurface fault near the recharge area influences groundwater movement and storage. To address this question, groundwater monitoring data from multiple wells are analyzed alongside spatial analysis of well locations and groundwater level trends. Preliminary mapping of monitoring wells shows that groundwater levels are relatively consistent across the site, suggesting that the hypothesized subsurface fault may be mislocated or may have limited influence on groundwater flow. Ongoing analysis will further evaluate these patterns to determine whether geologic features such as faults influence recharge distribution within the aquifer. Results from this study will contribute to a better understanding of MAR site performance and provide insights that can inform more effective groundwater recharge strategies in water-limited regions.

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