Transformation Technique for Water Table Estimation in a 2-D Aquifer with Inclined Base Subjected to Variable ET

An analytical solution for two-dimensional water table variation in an aquifer basin with inclined impermeable base has been proposed incorporating the effect of depth-dependent evapotranspiration (ET) from land surface. The proposed analytical solution has been obtained by devising a sound mathematical transformation, which transforms a complex partial differential equation into the simplest form. The results obtained from the proposed solution are in good agreement with the already existing mathematical solutions. The results of the proposed solution have been illustrated to study the variation of water table in the 2-D aquifer. Since the water table profiles are obtained lower by consideration of ET, the solution will result in wider drain spacing and, thus, economy in the drainage design. The proposed analytical solution can be used as an important tool for reliable prediction of water table variation in the salinity affected croplands of arid and semi-arid regions where the ET rate is very high. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008