Overexploitation of groundwater threatens ecological balance in irrigation districts.
Groundwater levels and soil moisture were studied to understand how irrigation affects groundwater recharge. By calculating the irrigation recharge coefficient, researchers found that the average recharge coefficient was 0.0875 throughout the year. In an area with deep groundwater levels, it took longer for groundwater to recharge. Soil moisture levels followed a similar pattern to groundwater levels. Overexploitation of groundwater without recharge led to a decrease in groundwater levels. Increasing surface water irrigation could help improve the groundwater ecological environment in the district.