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Water balance analysis in Iowa using satellite-based evapotranspiration, precipitation, and streamflow data

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  • Diaz, Miguel
  • Arenas, Antonio
  • Schilling, Keith E.
  • Wolter, Calvin F.

Abstract

Understanding the water balance in intensively managed agricultural landscapes is critical for sustainable water resource management. This study utilizes publicly available satellite-based evapotranspiration, gridded precipitation, and in-situ streamflow data to conduct water balance analysis for Iowa from 2000 to 2023. The objectives of the study were to: 1) identify areas of groundwater-dependent evapotranspiration, 2) evaluate the Budyko framework for estimating annual runoff, and 3) quantify the impact of historical land cover change on watershed hydrology. Our analysis revealed that during dry years, annual evapotranspiration exceeded precipitation across nearly 36,260 km2 of cropland. Approximately, 20 % of this area is sustained by irrigation, and the remaining 30,000 km2 rely on natural subsidies like stored soil moisture, or shallow groundwater. For a selected watershed, we showed that the Budyko framework is a good proxy for observed annual runoff (R²=0.83). Finally, we quantified that the historical conversion from native prairie to corn and soybean cropland has increased average annual runoff by approximately 57 mm (23 %), a direct result of the lower evapotranspiration rates of annual row crops.

Suggested Citation

  • Diaz, Miguel & Arenas, Antonio & Schilling, Keith E. & Wolter, Calvin F., 2025. "Water balance analysis in Iowa using satellite-based evapotranspiration, precipitation, and streamflow data," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 322(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:322:y:2025:i:c:s0378377425006912
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2025.109977
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ren, Jie & Campbell, James B. & Shao, Yang, 2016. "Spatial and temporal dimensions of agricultural land use changes, 2001–2012, East-Central Iowa," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 149-158.
    2. Mercedeh Taheri & Abdolmajid Mohammadian & Fatemeh Ganji & Mostafa Bigdeli & Mohsen Nasseri, 2022. "Energy-Based Approaches in Estimating Actual Evapotranspiration Focusing on Land Surface Temperature: A Review of Methods, Concepts, and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-57, February.
    3. Gomez, Alejandro & Arenas, Antonio & Schilling, Keith E., 2025. "Surface-subsurface modeling of water dynamics in drained and farmed wetlands in the prairie pothole region," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    4. Khorchani, M. & Awada, T. & Schmer, M. & Jin, V. & Birru, G. & Dangal, S.R.S. & Suyker, A. & Freidenreich, A., 2024. "Long-term croplands water productivity in response to management and climate in the Western US Corn Belt," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 291(C).
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