Groundwater recharge is crucial for regional groundwater flow. Integrated hydrological models can better calculate subsurface fluxes by considering the vadose and phreatic zones as a continuum. A new method evaluates groundwater storage changes by tracking water table fluctuations over time, without needing a specific yield. Different methods for estimating groundwater recharge can lead to varying results, especially in models with complex topography and subsurface structures. Groundwater recharge varies greatly in space and time, influenced by local heterogeneity and river-groundwater exchange flows. It is important to account for these factors to accurately estimate groundwater recharge.