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​Hydrologic Impact Zone           Concept developed by Trevor Wicks             October 2016

This is a fundamental concept that should be incorporated into all land use planning and development strategies. 
The Hydrologic Impact Zone (HIZ) is the area of land or water where the natural hydrology is affected by human activity.
A Hydrologic Impact Zone is defined by identified land uses, groundwater extraction, surface water diversion, contamination, development, agriculture, mining, etc. A multi layer mapping program could show the extent and the degree of impact, as delineated and /or shaded areas.
Initially, a predetermined arbitrary minimum HIZ could be applied to a given area of hydrologic disturbance, graduated with the type and degree of interference. On a map the arbitrary minimum HIZ would appear as a large dot or a significant shaded circle, depending on the amount of activity. A defined HIZ would delineate entire watersheds, groundwater catchment areas, surface and subsurface drainage etc.

By separating or combining the layers of HIZ’s, a clear picture will demonstrate the overall impact in any given area.
This information is used to assess the accumulative influences, of surface and ground-water interference for environmental and hydrological sustainability.
In the following example, the extraction of groundwater will create a HIZ correlated to:
  1. The volume of water extracted and the depth of the well  
  2. The geology and topography of the land
  3. The proximity and connectivity to surface water
The HIZ would define the total area of land and or water affected by the groundwater removal.
Example A.   Well supplies 250 liters per day from a remote area of land, distant from surface water, could have a hypothetical HIZ of a few hectares, defining the catchment area and seasonal draw-down potential.
Example B.  Three wells located near a seasonal wetland, supply water to a 35 lot subdivision. A hypothetical HIZ of hundreds of hectares include the wetland and the draw-down area around the wells.
Example C.  A municipality supplies water to 10,000 people from a well-field located next to a significant creek. The HIZ of many square kilometers would include the catchment area for the creek and the well field. Also the downstream area affected along the creek down to the ocean.
I would appreciate some feedback on this item from October 2016. Please click to contact   
Trevor Wicks ...   TRENTEC INNOVATIONS...
Web      http://www.innovationbc.com
              http://www.ouroceansidewater.com
Qualicum Beach  B.C   Canada    

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Written by Trevor Wicks