New method for evaluating safe yield and exploitation potential of shallow groundwater in Huaibei Plain, Anhui Province

There are two disadvantages in the traditional long-term regulation model; it does not take into consideration: (a) the impact of the shape of cone of depression during the pumping period; (b) the well density. Based on these two disadvantages, some modifications were carried out on the traditional long-term regulation model. For the first disadvantage, the concept of critical safe depth of water table was given; while on the second disadvantage, the concept of well density coefficient was given. Combining these two modifications, a new calculation method of safe yield was given. The first modification made the traditional model have the connotation of groundwater dynamics, the second modification made the model closer to actual. Based on the new method for calculating the safe yield and its exploitation potential, Anhui Huaibei Plain was chosen as a study area. The result of the safe yield calculated by the modified model was more reasonable and safe, compared with the allowable withdrawal calculated by the traditional long-term regulation model.